Ever since God led his chosen nation out of Egypt Israel was named the special flock of God.
“But made his own people to go forth like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.” – Psalm 78:52
“For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.” – Psalm 95:7
The flock of God and the sheep of the Lord were the men of Israel as the chosen people separate from the Gentiles.
“Thus shall they know that I the LORD their God am with them, and that they, even the house of Israel, are my people, saith the Lord GOD. And ye my flock, the flock of my pasture, are men, and I am your God, saith the Lord GOD.” – Ezekiel 34:30-31
While Moses and Aaron were used by God as shepherds to lead them out of Egypt, ultimately God was the Shepherd of Israel.
“Thou leddest thy people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.” – Psalm 77:20
“O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; …” – Psalm 80:1
Like any good shepherd, God led them through the wilderness providing for their needs and protecting them from danger.
“He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” – Psalm 23:2-3
The green pasture was the land and dominion God had promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
“And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country.” – Ezekiel 34:13-14
While God led his flock to green pastures once out of Egypt, God entrusted his sheep to the priests and rulers of Israel to shepherd his flock. These shepherds failed and the sheep went astray.
“My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yea, my flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek after them…For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out.” – Ezekiel 34:6-11
It is no surprise that in accordance with these prophecies that God manifested himself in the flesh and declared himself to be the good Shepherd:
“I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” – John 10:11
Israel has always been the sheep of God, and their gathering into the pasture a promise of the kingdom of God to the Fathers. We can now understand what is meant when it is written that Jesus came to these lost sheep of Israel to confirm the promises made to the Fathers.
“But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” – Mat 15:24
“Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:” – Romans 15:8
Wherever you find sheep in your Bible, you will not find the mystery body of Christ, but you will find the nation of Israel.
Article Index Published: March 13, 2010
Last Modified: April 22, 2017