God, as shepherd

The image of God as a shepherd points to his continual direction, guidance and care for his people.

Shepherd as a title for God

Psalm 80:1 See also Genesis 49:24; Ecclesiastes 12:11

For the choirmaster. To the tune of “The Lilies of the Covenant.” A Psalm of Asaph. Hear us, O Shepherd of Israel, who leads Joseph like a flock; You who sit enthroned between the cherubim, shine forth

God's people are his flock

Israel is God's flock

Psalm 95:7 See also Psalm 79:13, Psalm 100:3; Jeremiah 50:7; Ezekiel 34:31

For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, the sheep under His care. Today, if you hear His voice,

The church is God's flock

1 Peter 5:2 See also Luke 12:32; Acts 20:28–29

Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over them not out of compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not out of greed, but out of eagerness;

The tasks undertaken by God the shepherd

The shepherd leads and guides

Psalm 23:2–3 See also Isaiah 40:11

He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for the sake of His name.

The shepherd provides

Psalm 23:1 See also Genesis 48:15; Psalm 23:5–6; Hosea 4:16; Micah 7:14

A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

The shepherd protects

Psalm 28:9 See also Genesis 49:23–24

Save Your people and bless Your inheritance; shepherd them and carry them forever.

The shepherd saves those who are lost or scattered

Jeremiah 31:10 See also Psalm 119:176; Isaiah 53:6; Ezekiel 34:11–16; Matthew 18:12–14 parallel Luke 15:3–7

Hear, O nations, the word of the LORD, and proclaim it in distant coastlands: “The One who scattered Israel will gather them and keep them as a shepherd keeps his flock.

The shepherd judges

Ezekiel 34:17–22 See also Jeremiah 23:1; Zechariah 10:2–3, Zechariah 11:16; Matthew 25:32–46

This is what the Lord GOD says to you, My flock: ‘I will judge between one sheep and another, between the rams and the goats. Is it not enough for you to feed on the good pasture? Must you also trample the rest of the pasture with your feet? Is it not enough for you to drink the clear waters? Must you also muddy the rest with your feet? Why must My flock feed on what your feet have trampled, and drink what your feet have muddied?’ Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says to them: ‘Behold, I Myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep. Since you shove with flank and shoulder, butting all the weak ones with your horns until you have scattered them abroad, I will save My flock, and they will no longer be prey. I will judge between one sheep and another.

God gives shepherds to be leaders over his people

He gives David's line

Ezekiel 34:23 See also 2 Samuel 5:2 parallel 1 Chronicles 11:2; Psalm 78:70–72; Ezekiel 34:23–24, Ezekiel 37:24; Micah 5:4; Matthew 2:6

I will appoint over them one shepherd, My servant David, and he will feed them. He will feed them and be their shepherd.

He gives individual leaders

Isaiah 44:28, Isaiah 63:11

He gives faithful leaders

Jeremiah 3:15 See also Jeremiah 23:4; 1 Peter 5:2–4

Then I will give you shepherds after My own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.”