sheep aren't dumb!
But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep John 10:26.
Throughout Scripture, Jesus uses natural wonders to explain supernatural truths. From fruitless figs (Luke 13:6-9), and buzzing bees (Psalm 118:8-12), to choking weeds (Matthew 13:7), and lost sheep (Matthew 18:13-15); it’s no secret that the Bible is steeped in an agricultural and sheep herding culture. Now I never used to think much about sheep or shepherds or flocks.
No one thinks of sheep when asked about animals and amazing feats. We all enjoy the dog show at the fair, and can relate to the stories of carrier pigeons delivering messages from afar. We jump at the lion’s roar and we thrill to the dolphins and whales at sea world. But Sheep!?!
The Bible contains almost 700 references to sheep, shepherds and flocks. Why Sheep!?!
God uses these woolly creatures to reveal truths about himself and to draw people into a closer relationship with Him.
One of the great mistruths taught, is that sheep are dumb. This teaching does more harm to understanding the character of God and who He has created us to be, than any other.
So is God telling us that we are dumb? NO! Absolutely NOT!
Nothing could be further from the truth. God has called us a holy nation. A royal priesthood. Chosen of God. (2 Peter 2:9).
So why does God use sheep to help us understand our relationship with Him?
He wants us to recognize that He is the way (John 14:6), the light (John 8:12), the path (Matthew 7:13-15), the water (Psalm 23:2), the food (John 6:51), the door (John 10:9-16), the righteous (1 Corinthians 1:30), the redemption (Romans 3:23-25), the mercy (2 Corinthians 12:9) … with Him all things are made new (2 Corinthians 5:17; Revelation 21:1-8) … without Him we have darkness (John 12:46) and are lost (Jeremiah 50:6; John 6:39).
Much like sheep, we sometimes wonder off and get lost.
Recent scientific discoveries have linked the mental processes of recognition and emotion in sheep with those to us humans. Many of the behaviors of sheep; being timid, being followers, and being fearful. their ability to recognize their Shepherd and as many as up to 50 of their flock-buddies, indicate that they are able to think about individuals that are absent from their environment.
( http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sci/tech/1641463.stm ).
And like sheep, we too, have the cognitive emotional ability to realize that we are lost, that we miss our relationship when we step astray (Hebrews 6:4-6), and that we recognize His voice (John 10:4) when He calls.
However, unlike other animals, sheep lack razor sharp teeth, they don’t pounce with sharp hooves or talons or claws, or even make aggressive noises. Sheep are defenseless against predators. They can’t fight back and they can’t outrun predators. They simply panic. They’re afraid of water and can only be led to still water by a shepherd (Psalm 23:2), and who can blame them? Sheep can’t swim. Imagine getting all that wool soaked, they’re really good at doing two things in water…sinking and drowning. They’re also very good at getting stuck on their backs and being totally defenseless (Psalm 23:3; John 8:1-11). They can be frightened into having a heart attack by imagining a dog or wolf is going to attack, even if it doesn’t (1st John 4:18). And sheep must be led to green pastures (Psalm 23:1); otherwise they’d eat the grass down to the roots, destroying the pasture.
When was the last time baah scared anyone?
Sheep are not dumb, but they are defenseless.
THE ONLY DEFENSE MECHANISM THAT GOD HAS GIVEN THE SHEEP IS TO LIVE WITHIN A FLOCK UNDER THE WATCHFUL EYE OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD.
So, maybe the fact that they tend to herd together and recognize flock members is proof that they are NOT dumb.
The fact that they recognize and respond to their shepherd’s voice is proof that they are NOT dumb.
The fact that they have learned to rely on the shepherd’s care is proof that they are NOT dumb.
SEE ANY SIMILARITY BETWEEN SHEEP AND US?
“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6).
Jesus knew the nature of people without a shepherd.
Matthew wrote that when Jesus “saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:36), and we’re helpless too…without Jesus as our Good Shepherd.
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. 30 I and my Father are one. John 10:27-30
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Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.… Matthew 7:15
John 10:1-30 KJV Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. 4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. 5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. 6 This parable sake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them. 7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. 12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. 13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. 15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. 17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. 18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father. 19 There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings. 20 And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him? 21 Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind? 22 And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter. 23 And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch. 24 Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly. 25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me. 26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. 30 I and my Father are one.
