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Jehovah Rohi – Ps. 23
Intro: The 23rd Psalm is possibly the most beloved passage in the Bible. Spurgeon called it, the pearl of the psalms. Millions have memorized these few words penned by the shepherd king – David. Ministers have recited them at weddings, baptisms, and funerals to offer words of comfort, hope, peace, and protection.
Quote: The world could spare many a large book better than this sunny little psalm. It has dried many tears and supplied the mould into which many hearts have poured their peaceful faith. Alexander Maclaren
Trans: As we continue our study of God’s name, this psalm intro to us the tenderest of God’s name – Jehovah Rohi – The Lord is my Shepherd. (Read Ps. 23:1-6) In this psalm we find the name and the meaning of Jehovah Rohi.
I The DECLARATION of His Name
Verse: The Lord is my Shepherd…
Quote: Faith is a matter of personal pronouns. Martin Luther
Trans: The LORD is my Shepherd. (Declaration of God’s Role)
The Lord is MY Shepherd. (Statement of our Relationship)
The Lord is my SHEPHERD. (Testimony of God’s Responsibility)
Quote: The 23rd Psalm is a masterpiece throughout. But if ever a psalm could stand on a single line or phrase, it is this one – the Lord is my Shepherd. Boice
Trans: If anyone understood what it meant to be a shepherd it was David. Having tended sheep himself, he understood the responsibility, sacrifice, and value of making provision, pasturing, and protecting these fragile animals.
Note: We too are sheep in need of a shepherd. We’re fragile, directionless, hopeless, good-for-nothing sheep – if left to ourselves will destroy ourselves. (say Bah!)
A He is my PROPITIATION
Trans: The 1st item to settle is whether Jehovah is “a” shepherd or “my” shepherd.
Verse: As of us like sheep have gone astray. Each has turned to his own way, but the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall upon Him. Is. 53:6
Trans: We are all sinners and b/c of our sin God sent His only Son – that whosoever would believe in Him would not perish but would have eternal life. God placed the punishment of our sin upon the Good Shepherd – Jesus. That is what the cross is all about. It is God’s only means to rescue his creation from their sin.
Verse: I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for His sheep.
Note: Jesus willingly surrendered his life on our behalf b/c there was no other way. He died in our place (see Romans 5:8). But not as a martyr or b/c he was murdered – but b/c He willingly took our place as our substitute as the required payment for the penalty of our sins.
Quote: It cost God nothing, as far as we know, to create nice things, but to convert our rebellious wills, it cost Him crucifixion. C.S. Lewis
Note: Is God just “A” shepherd or is He “YOUR” Shepherd?
B He is my PASTOR
Note: As we will see in a moment – as my pastor, the Good Shepherd provides for me, He nurtures me, He guides me, He protects me, and He blesses me.
Point: Jesus doesn’t just want to be you Savior He also wants to be your Lord. He doesn’t just want to eternal life He also wants to give you an abundant life. Thus, He has chosen to place you in his flock under His watchful care. Due to His gracious nature, He promises to meet us at the point of our need.
II The DISTRIBUTION of His Nature
Verse: I shall not be in want.
Note: God is the all-sufficient, all-knowing, all-powerful Shepherd – we lack nothing.
Note: Truth is if left to themselves, sheep lack everything. They’re the most helpless animals on the planet – and we too have great need. But w/ Jehovah as our shepherd – He’s able to provide for all things in all situations.
A I shall not lack PROVISION
Verse: He makes me lie down in green pastures and leads me beside quiet waters.
Note: Phillip Keller says that sheep do not lie down easily. It’s almost impossible for them to be made to lie down unless 4 requirements are met.
1 Free of FEAR They must feel safe
2 Free of FRICTION They must feel accepted
3 Free of FLIES They must be free of pestilence
4 Free of FAMINE They must be filled w/ food
Note: Only a shepherd can meet these requirements providing peace, acceptance, deliverance, and pasture.
Note: Are we not the same. Don’t we long to live in peace, community, freedom, and plenty? We need someone to provide for our needs to sustain us.
Verse: My God shall supply your needs according to His riches in glory. Ph. 4:19
Note: As our shepherd, God longs to meet our needs as He steers us to complete dependence upon Him. Dependence – it is inescapable. Just as a sheep places complete trust in the shepherd, so too must we trust solely in God. (Pr. 3:5-6)
B I shall not lack NURTURE
Verse: He restores my soul.
Note: God nurtures and cares for us even as we make a mess of our lives.
Insert: Cast Down Sheep – a heavy, long-fleeced sheep will lie down and as it stretches out to relax loses its balance and will roll to its side. B/c it has lost its center of gravity, the sheep will panic and find itself upside-down. In this position, gases build up in the body, cutting off circulation to the legs – and if not corrected the sheep will die in hours. The only one who can restore the sheep is the shepherd.
Trans: Sometimes we are like cast down sheep. We are spiritually on our backs, helpless and pleading, and Jesus comes along and restores us through grace.
Note: John 20 - This is what Jesus did for Peter. Peter had denied Jesus 3x, yet Jesus comes to him and restores him back to health – He restored his soul.
Insert: This idea is found in Jn. 15 in the “I am” statement that Jesus is the vine. Remember where it says that He lifts up every branch that does not bear fruit. What He does is gently lifts the branch out of the mire, cleans it off, pins it up, and exposes it to the light that it might once again become fruitful.
C I shall not lack GUIDANCE
Verse: He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
Note: Sheep are foolish animals – the dumbest alive. Their stupidity is evident as they will just wander away (begin to wander – then bah – I’m lost and how did I get here in sheep). The shepherd can bring them into the best grazing land, and they’ll wander away looking for barrenness. Like us, sheep are creatures of habit conditioned by their circumstances.
Insert: We do the same. God can usher us into the promise land, and we’ll seek out other gods to worship. We’ll revert to our nature to sin rather than walk by the Spirit and enjoy the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience… Thankfully though, He doesn’t leave us to fend for ourselves, but seeks us out to restore us to the flock.
Insert: Jesus said that if even 1 of His sheep were lost, He’d leave the 99 to find it.
Insert: Note where He guides us – in paths of righteousness. God never leads us astray or into the hands of the evil one. If we find ourselves in difficult circumstances it’s b/c we’ve wandered off. We can be certain Jesus is looking for us, and no matter how stubborn we might be, resisting the conviction of the good shepherd. He longs to guide us to the will and heart of the Father.
D I shall not lack SAFETY
1 During Times of Difficulty and Danger
Verse: Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are w/ me, your rod and staff they comfort me.
Trans: This text is often rightfully mentioned to bring comfort to people during times of difficulty, but the real intention of these words are to remind us of the shepherd’s ability to protect his sheep during moments of danger.
Note: Keller explains that during the seasonal passage from the lowlands, where sheep pasture during the winter months in the mtn valleys, the sheep are vulnerable to attacks from wild animals and from sudden flash floods. And since the sun does not shine in the valley very well, the shadows become shadows of death.
Note: It is in these valley moments that a sheep must listen to the shepherd’s voice the closest for their lives depend on it.
Trans: Truth is the Christian life is not always tranquil mtn top experiences. God takes us into the valleys of trials and danger to develop character and to tune our ears to His voice. This is not a time to fear but a time to trust.
Note: His rod and staff bring comfort. The purpose of the rod is to defend and to discipline, while the purpose of the staff is to guide and nurture.
2 During Times of Blessing and Abundance
Verse: You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head w/ oil; my cup overflows.
Note: The key thing to keep in mind as we read on is the concept of a shepherd w/ his sheep. Just as the Shepherd cares for the sheep during difficult and dangerous times in the valley, so too does He care for them in the highlands and mesas.
Note: The focus is on the shepherd’s preparation of the land for the sheep’s arrival. He removes any physical hazard, poisonous plants, and predators. Likewise, the shepherd uses a mixture of olive oil, sulfur, and spices to protect the sheep from insects and to promote the healing of infectious skin diseases.
Note: We find that when we’re under the care of the Good Shepherd that He tends to every need in our lives that we might depend solely upon His nurture and care. In doing so, we find peace and rest in His care. We are safe in the shelter of the Almighty. He is our strong tower.
E I shall not lack PROMISE
Verse: Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Trans: We find in these final words 2 promises – the promise of goodness and mercy in this life, and the promise of eternity in the next life. These words are a promise that neither my life nor God’s promises will ever falter.
Note: If Jesus has become my Shepherd and I put my hope in Him, then I can experience an abundant life today as I look forward to eternal life tomorrow.
Note: Reread Psalm 23:1-6. After reading, repeat the Lord is MY Shepherd.
Story: Some Christian men were hiking in the Welsh Mtns when they met a young shepherd boy. They spent some time talking w/ the boy and shared w/ him the concept that God is his heavenly shepherd. The men challenged him to memorize the opening words of the 23rd Psalm instructing him to allow his fingers to represent each word – The Lord Is My Shepherd. 5 years later, the men returned to the Welsh Mtns and b/c of altitude got thirsty. They spotted a cottage nearby and stopped for something to drink. As they entered the cottage, they noticed a picture of a boy over the mantel. They thought the boy looked familiar and asked the lady about her son. She explained that her son had been killed while tending sheep the previous winter. He had slipped and fell over a cliff while attempting to rescue one of the animals. She explained that when they found him he was strangely grasping the ring finger on his left hand. The men shared w/ the woman how they had met her son and had taught him about the 23rd Psalm and that the Lord is MY Shepherd.
