Doesn't the symbolism of shepherd and SHEEP raise any red flags?

Question

Or is it really THAT fitting?

Answer 1

Oh, I believe that, these days, it is truly fitting. It wasn't intended to though. As someone said, the metaphor meant alot to people in those days, since a shepard was more of the loving father to his flock, that always was with them, kept them from wandering astray, made sure they had plenty to eat, etc. That was the idea anyway. Nowadays, sheep have a more sinister connotation, like lemmings blindly following their leader, which is indeed the case. Look for the news story of 500 some sheep walking off a 100 foot cliff all in a row...At least the fall kept getting shorter.

Answer 2

Good question!

If you knew what the shepherd meant to the sheep and the sheep meant to the shepherd, I would say yes. The shepherd would risk life and limb for his sheep, and the sheep knew it. The wolves and lions were more formitable then they are today, as they didn't carry guns nor were there fences as we have now. They spent their lives together. They know each other more than anyone, their lives were so intertwined. He could feel when something was wrong with them. And they knew his voice, they would follow no other. Their lives were totally in his hands. Go to country in Scotland or Italy, or... There, it's like that even today. Now-a-days, here in U.S. they mean virtually nothing to each other. Loveless Feeder and fodder.

It's referring to thier relationship, not to the beastie
nature.

Answer 3

It is a lovely analogy which declares the truth. It was fitting then and it is fitting today.

We being sheep are easily led astray, but with our Good Shepherd, Jesus as our guide and protector we are safe.

I suppose those who find it degrading and insulting have not come to a humble place of repentance to truly understand the beauty in being one of our Good Shepherd's "sheep," being once lost, but now found. Indeed, we are a pathetic lot without our Shepherd to guide us. Perhaps the following will help you to better understand what Jesus meant.

And let us not forget John 10:11-18 which declares, "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.12 The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me- 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father- and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life- only to take it up again. 18 No-one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father." NIV

Answer 4

if i were a sheep, i'd rather be among those who had a protective shepherd then to be left out alone to be easy prey to hungry wolves.
to the sheep without a shepherd their life is difficult, frightening and short.

sheep with a shepherd have got it made. at the risk of seeming to be lazy... its the shepherd that does all the hard work.

they are led to green pastures cool and abundant with food, they can be free of troubles and take a nap by a soothing stream of thirst quenching water.

the only work they have to do is grow the wool which comes naturally without them having to make any efforts.

the right shepherd never sells them for food but would if necessary give up his own life for them fighting against a bear or lion.

these are the concepts that are meant to be looked at regarding people being compared to sheep in the Bible.
...

Answer 5

It never has for me. If you want a really deep look at Christ's metaphor read "A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23". Sheep don't know how to find their own food or water and pretty much don't know danger when it is staring them in the face. As Christians we rely on Christ to provide our spiritual sustenance, keep us from danger and lead us paths of safety. By the way, do you remember all those pictures of Jesus carrying a lamb around his shoulders? If a lamb wanders off from the flock it will either die of starvation or be killed by a predator. When a lamb repeatedly wanders off the shepherd is forced to break one of the lamb's legs. Until the leg heals the shepherd carries that lamb on his shoulders constantly, talking to it and feeding it. In this way the lamb gets to know the shepherd's voice and becomes dependent on the shepherd for food. By the time the leg has healed the lamb has learned not to stray. A painful lesson to be sure, but as followers of Christ we all stray and, in often painful ways, learn to follow His voice.

Answer 6

The imagery of shepherd and sheep had more meaning for the people of Biblical times. It was a much more common way of life.

Answer 7

We are all sheep. The only question is which shepherd you choose to follow. In order to be a true individual without a leader and without being led by tradition, one must live in the wilderness without clothes or language or science. Science, language, and customs such as clothing are all traditions that we follow. If we wish not to be sheep following shepherds, we must renounce all tradition. Otherwise, we are simply hypocritical pseudo-intellectuals.

Answer 8

I will agree with this one. Anyone who finds it "OK" to be referred to as a "sheep" *really* hasn't been around sheep too much. Sheep are the dumbest, and I mean *really* incredibly, you really have no idea, exactly how stupid sheep are, creatures on this planet.

Back in the days of the cowboy and the west, if a sheepherder tried to move in to the range with a flock of sheep, usually the ranchers would kill them and eat the sheep. Why? They kill a grazing area. Sheep, when they graze an area, are *so* stupid, when they eat, they don't stop eating till they've torn up the root of the plant, and also swallowed one or two mouthfuls of dirt.

Stupid is as stupid does sir...

Answer 9

The government is the shepherd and the mass population are the sheep. But there are few that choose to leave the heard and walk their own path. I am ONE who is free.

Answer 10

A shepherd guards and leads his sheep. Souls (the sheep) are lead by Jesus (the shepherd).

GodMan: Lonely sheep are eaten by wolves. This is why the shepherd is necessary.

Psalm 23:
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green [1] pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest [2] my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.