How the Shepherd Keeps his Sheep

Cassidy · Oct 6, 2008

Was thinking about this today...about how the Lord leaves the 99 and goes after the 1 that strays and brings them back.

Someone once told me what shepherds used to do to sheep that continually strayed. He said that the shepherd would break his leg and carried him over his shoulder until he healed. During this healing process the sheep would become so reliant on the shepherd that by the time he healed he never strayed again because he was used to relying on the shepherd. And that was how they kept them from straying.

Do you think that Christ does this for us??? Because I'm sure I've had my legs broken a few times

KleinerApfel · Oct 7, 2008

The "someone" who told you that had heard it from someone else and they'd heard it from someone else.....
But the good news is - it isn't true.
It isn't even true of human shepherds of sheep and it definitely isn't true of our Shepherd!

I am delighted to be able to tell you that teaching is false representation of the perfect, tender, loving Shepherd of our lives, who is well able to keep His sheep safe without mutilating them!

Oh precious Lord, I'm so glad I heard the truth on this one! Please get this truth out to all who have heard the false teaching of a merciless, bone-shattering, crippling god.

John O did some good solid research that led to the truth coming out right here on this forum a while ago, so I'm sure he'll be happy to share that again now.

Elijah2 · Oct 7, 2008

It had always intrigued me how such an example of our Almighty God, our Lord Jesus Christ began, and to think that HE would do that to a backsliding Christian, thank you my dear sister for bringing this misconception out.

When our Lord Jesus Christ asked Peter those three questions: "Do you love me?" And Peter's replies were answered with HIS loving replies: "Feed MY Lambs, Tend MY Sheep, and Feed MY Sheep!"

And we need to affirm our love for our Lord Jesus Christ the same as Peter did.

Be blessed in Jesus' Name.

Lyndiette · Oct 7, 2008

Among other scriptures, Hebrews teaches that God DOES often use punishment in our chastisements:

Hebrews 12:6 said:
For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

Deba · Oct 7, 2008

Come, let us return to the Lord.
He has torn us to pieces
but he will heal us;
he has injured us
but he will bind up our wounds.
Hosea 6:1

I spent the first three decades of my life without knowing the Lord. When I was hurt by the world or loved ones or circumstances, I put myself back together the best I could. But I was without knowledge or ability to do it properly - so I was limping through life.

When God called me to Himself He had to break some parts of me that I had allowed to heal improperly so that I could be made whole. He did it very lovingly - and I am very grateful. Like giving birth - the pain is forgotten because of what is gained.

Lyndiette · Oct 7, 2008

Deba said:
He did it very lovingly - and I am very grateful. Like giving birth - the pain is forgotten because of what is gained.

A key point, Deba... and very much the way God operates.

heron · Oct 7, 2008

John O did some good solid research that led to the truth coming out right here on this forum a while ago,

In case people can't find the link, here's a farmer's take on broken legs.
http://ezinearticles.com/?How-to-Splint-a-Calfs-Broken-Leg&id=1381588

If you think about it, the sheep are commercial products. The more harm done to them, the less income they bring to the owner. An injured sheep was not allowed to be used for temple offerings. A broken leg would mean an imperfect product.

Straying wasn't as emotional as our allegories -- a lost sheep was a lost commodity. An injured sheep would slow down the whole flock.

That doesn't fit well with the symbolism of the story, especially since a herdsman would inevitably consider sheep his pets (maybe even his only confidants). But to injure in order to contain does not make sense.

(That would be modern food production.)

rob64 · Oct 7, 2008

I too believe - because it is scriptural, that the Great Shepherd does indeed break the leg of a BELIEVER. It has nothing to do with backsliding. But, for the sake of that misconception, let's just say the little sheep was trying to backslide. He never got the chance, because the shepherd went and got him! We all like sheep have gone astray. Which has zilch to do with backsliding.

However, I had a class on the life of Christ in college. If you research Jewish trdition, and culture, you'll find that to be true. Not only that, but the shepherd actually carries the little sheep all the way home. He will never allow anyone, or anything to snatch us out of His grip. He sleeps in the opening of the sheepfold, so that the sheep cant go out, and a wolf cant come in. The shepherd does actually name the sheep. And call the sheep by their name. And the sheep ONLY responds to the voice of the shepherd. When the shepherd leads them out of the sheepfold, He nourishes them, checks them over, examines them, talks to them. He counts them as they come out of the fold. He lives, eats, breathes, sleeps with His sheep. But they are a stupid creature, and follow each other. They will follow one right after the other, over a cliff to their death, if the shepherd isn't ALWAYS caring for them.

Jesus' used the modern culture and way of life in His parables. Seed sowing, Olive trees, and grape vines, and shepherding were their way of life. They all were accustomed to these things, so it made better sence to them than it does us, until we learn their ways of life.

There are books we can get about Jewish customs, and traditions, and way of life. It sheds alot of light on the NT and truth.

jeolmstead · Oct 7, 2008

In a nut shell.

It's Brake a leg, not Break a leg, (it other words God puts on brakes he does not crash the car)

A shepherd may hobble a lamp, it the same sense that we put a dog on a leash. It keeps him out of trouble. Some use the term brake a leg, it does not mean however "break" the leg.

Knowing nothing about sheep, and hearing the tale one might conclude otherwise.

(Because Brake sounds like Break?)

Apparently, some preachers have misunderstood and the only reference I could find about "breaking" lambs legs are in their sermon illustrations.

I do not think its right to try and prove a point with a practice that apparently does not exist.

John O.

Lyndiette · Oct 7, 2008

jeolmstead said:
I do not think its right to try and prove a point with a practice that apparently does not exist.

John O.

If I remember correctly, Phillip Keller (once a shepherd) records the practice in his book, 'A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23'.

The Lord may not literally 'break our legs', but scripture DOES teach that He 'chastises and scourges' those of His own whom He loves... the end result being a deeper knowledge of Him and His love.

An excellent writing:
http://www.raptureready.com/resource/bustin/hcfy7.html

KleinerApfel · Oct 7, 2008

For those believing God chastises them for their sins - please remember the cross...

Isaiah 53

5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Now regarding shepherds breaking legs...

John has given me permission to use his material from the last time we talked about this on the forum. This was his post:

shepherds break a lamb's leg on purpose?

Last month I referred to a practice I had seen referenced in several commentaries concerning shepherds breaking the legs of their sheep in order to keep them from wandering off.

When I was challenged to prove that this practice actually takes place, I spent a good deal of time looking for evidence of such on the internet. While I found many references to such a practice none of these appeared to be from sheepherders. (or appeared to be credible)

So, I sent a letter to Sheep Magizine.

This is their reply:

Hello John,

You asked in an August 2, 2006 message to Sheep Magazine if it was true whether shepherds sometimes break a lamb's leg to prevent it from wandering off.

It is not true that any shepherds break a lamb's leg on purpose.

What they sometimes do in certain sheep-raising nations is to "brake" a leg. This means they attach a clog or weight to the animal's leg, which keeps certain "rogue" sheep from getting too far from the shepherd until they learn their names, and not to be afraid of the shepherd.

Rogue sheep are those that won't stay with the flock--important to their safety. A single sheep that constantly moves out and away from the others is the certain target of predators, and often is at risk of wandering out of sight (over a hill, into the brush, etc.) in terrain where the shepherd is unable to count the sheep properly. Then the sheep would be surely lost.

Each shepherd looks after from about 1200 to 3000 sheep. When they're constantly moving, such large numbers are impossible to count with precision.

To keep track of such large numbers of sheep, they must be corralled, and then "passed under the rod," which means the shepherd has them in a narrow chute that enables each sheep to be counted one by one, and even marked with paint, charcoal, etc., for further work if necessary.

The leg brake is a temporary measure; a lamb with a braked leg (it's not a "broken" leg!) is still easy pickings for predators at night, because it can't run as fast as the flock when under attack, and shepherd usually can't see predators in the dark.

Yours,
Nathan Griffith, editor
Sheep! Magazine

I have to yield to the authority on such things.

So the truth is this:

Good Shepherds do not break the leg of a rogue sheep.

They do however brake the leg of a rogue sheep in order to keep it from wandering off.

John O.

Always in His Presence · Oct 7, 2008

What does the Word say?

Romans 2:4 Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?

Did the father of the prodigal son break his legs or fall on his neck and embrace and restor him?

pinetree · Oct 7, 2008

Jeremiah 31:3
The LORD appeared to him from afar, saying,"I have loved you with an everlasting love;Therefore I have drawn you with lovingkindness.

Deba · Oct 7, 2008

For those believing God chastises them for their sins - please remember the cross...

Not for my sins, but to teach me obedience and trust. (I am a strong-willed child and God (thankfully) has not spared the rod.)

knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance

Click to expand...

(I am a strong-willed child and God (thankfully) has not spared the rod.)

heron · Oct 7, 2008

Hebrews 12:6
For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

God's discipline is not random, as some teachers imply. If we have done something to harm another person, He will act to put a stop to it. But He does not randomly disable us.

A father (who is acting under the law) does not break the leg of his child in order to keep the child dependent and humble. It is counter-productive and abusive. A father will put restrictions on a child -- like the sheep's brake, grounding them from a wild party or keeping them from fighting with their brother.

Cassidy · Oct 7, 2008

Aaaah so it's 'brake' not 'break' - that makes more sense! I was told this story - I didn't see it written. Hence the confusion!

Perhaps if a sheep was to stray then it's the world that could break the sheep and the shepherd that carries them back to the fold and tends to their wounds??

KleinerApfel · Oct 8, 2008

Cassidy said:
Perhaps if a sheep was to stray then it's the world that could break the sheep and the shepherd that carries them back to the fold and tends to their wounds??

Exactly!

When we get injured it's due to one of 3 reasons:

The way the fallen world works - accidents happen, lack and disease can exist, things don't always work as they are meant to etc.
We did something to cause ourselves harm, whether unwittingly or deliberately.
We were attacked by an enemy.

(In other words - "the world, the flesh, and the devil.")

The Lord, the Good Shepherd, is our Healer.

Having been through such experiences, we grow in faith and trust of Him, and we are equipped further for such life skills as avoiding future trouble, getting ourselves and others out of it more readily, helping others in a mess with more understanding and compassion etc.

So God turns around the bad and raises good things out of it:

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
Romans 8:28

(Gloriously dfferent than saying He did it to us!)

rob64 · Oct 8, 2008

I humbly stand corrected!
So, back to Hebrews 12:6, how does this fit into the picture?
And, the prodigal was a LOST son, totally different from a sheep that wanders off.
And, so you guys are saying basicly that God spoils us because He spares the rod?

KleinerApfel · Oct 8, 2008

Good point - what to do with Hebrews and the rod God uses to correct us?

I believe God chastises us with the "rod of His mouth" (Isaiah 11).
Many can testify to the chastening of God using His word - through our hearing/reading the Bible, or through the Spirit speaking a word to correct us.

The shepherd in biblical times used the rod to beat off attackers - wolves, lions, bears, even maybe human thieves!

So far as I know, no shepherd ever beats his sheep, rather he speaks to them, just as Jesus says we will hear His voice.

KleinerApfel · Oct 8, 2008

rob64 said:
And, the prodigal was a LOST son, totally different from a sheep that wanders off.

I'm not seeing the difference here, can you enlarge?

How the Shepherd Keeps his Sheep

Cassidy

Guest

When I awake I am still with You

No weapons formed against me will prosper.

Lyndiette

Guest

The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want (period)

Lyndiette

Guest

Legend

member

-That’s me in the corner, losing my religion

Lyndiette

Guest

When I awake I am still with You

Jesus is the only Way

Well-Known Member

The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want (period)

Legend

Cassidy

Guest

When I awake I am still with You

member

When I awake I am still with You

When I awake I am still with You

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