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Why The Shepherds?

Beetow

Beetow

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Joined
Apr 19, 2020
Messages
2,538
• Luke 2:8-20

Not just why the shepherds; but why only the shepherds?
_
 
@Beetow said:-
• Luke 2:8-20
Not just why the shepherds; but why only the shepherds?
Click to expand...

'And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field,
keeping watch over their flock by night.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them,
and the glory of the Lord shone round about them:
and they were sore afraid.

'And the angel said unto them,
Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy,
which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour,
which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you;
Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes,
lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel
a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

'And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven,
the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem,
and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God
for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child,
his name was called JESUS,
which was so named of the angel before He was conceived in the womb.'
(Luk 2:12-21)
 
Hello @Beetow,

This was the area in which David would have been looking after his father's flock when sent for by Samuel ( 1 Samuel 16:11 & 13 ).

I do not know of any reason why shepherd should have been so blessed as to have the announcement of the Saviour's birth made to them exclusively. Though Shepherds figure largely in relation to the nation of Israel and His coming, in the prophets such as Ezekiel. There could be something of a symbolic nature gleaned from this, in relation to the promise of God to send shepherds to feed His People Israel, and the sign given of finding the babe lying in a manger: the manger being where the fodder for the animals would be placed, they would come and eat of it. As Israel and the nations will at his second coming. The Lord Jesus Christ being our food and drink spiritually: His doctrine being taken and inwardly digested.

These are just my thoughts, not Scripture of course, and so of no importance but to perhaps prompt thought.

Thank you

:)
 
• Luke 2:8-11 . . And in the same region there were some shepherds staying out in
the fields, and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of The Lord
suddenly stood before them, and the glory of The Lord shone around them; and
they were terribly frightened.

. . . And the angel said to them: Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good
news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; for today in the city of David
there has been born for you a savior, who is Christ the Lord.

The Greek word for "savior" in that verse is soter (so-tare') which means: a
rescuer.

Rescuers typically help people who are in grave distress and/or imminent danger of
death and/or serious injury, and helpless to do anything about it; e.g. Red Cross,
Firemen, Emergency Medical teams, snow patrols, mountain units, and the Coast
Guard and National Guard.

Wouldn't it be awful if those agencies refused to assist desperate folk until they first
proved themselves deserving? Well lucky for everyone that those agencies work on
the basis of need rather than merit or many of us would end up thrown back to the
wolves.

I think quite a few people are under the impression that Christ is some sort of
probation officer; viz: if people "endure to the end" as they say; then he grants
them a clearance for heaven. But God forbid they should fail to satisfy the
conditions of their probation, because then they're out the door.

Probation can be likened to a sword of Damocles hanging over people's heads by a
slender thread easily broken by conduct unbecoming. How dare the angel of Luke
2:8-11 describe his announcement as "good news of great joy" if probation were
actually what's meant by sozo instead of rescue.

On the other hand; if Christ is in the business of rescuing people from the wrath of
God in accord with the humane principles underlying normal emergency services;
then yes, I fully agree with the angel that the birth of Christ is something to get
excited about.
_
 
Beetow said:
• Luke 2:8-11 . . And in the same region there were some shepherds staying out in
the fields, and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of The Lord
suddenly stood before them, and the glory of The Lord shone around them; and
they were terribly frightened.

. . . And the angel said to them: Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good
news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; for today in the city of David
there has been born for you a savior, who is Christ the Lord.

The Greek word for "savior" in that verse is soter (so-tare') which means: a
rescuer.

Rescuers typically help people who are in grave distress and/or imminent danger of
death and/or serious injury, and helpless to do anything about it; e.g. Red Cross,
Firemen, Emergency Medical teams, snow patrols, mountain units, and the Coast
Guard and National Guard.

Wouldn't it be awful if those agencies refused to assist desperate folk until they first
proved themselves deserving? Well lucky for everyone that those agencies work on
the basis of need rather than merit or many of us would end up thrown back to the
wolves.

I think quite a few people are under the impression that Christ is some sort of
probation officer; viz: if people "endure to the end" as they say; then he grants
them a clearance for heaven. But God forbid they should fail to satisfy the
conditions of their probation, because then they're out the door.

Probation can be likened to a sword of Damocles hanging over people's heads by a
slender thread easily broken by conduct unbecoming. How dare the angel of Luke
2:8-11 describe his announcement as "good news of great joy" if probation were
actually what's meant by sozo instead of rescue.

On the other hand; if Christ is in the business of rescuing people from the wrath of
God in accord with the humane principles underlying normal emergency services;
then yes, I fully agree with the angel that the birth of Christ is something to get
excited about.
_
Click to expand...
It's not a fair question because the Bible does not go in detail about it.

It was dark, the Shepherds were in the field, near Christ's birth, as they tended their flock.

It seems that it is logical that the Shepherds would be the first to witness the initial announcement of the birth because of their nearness to the event, but two things seem to be just as revelant, if not more by God:
1. Jesus would later be known as the "Good Shepherd" for obvious reasons.
2. In the ancient days, Shepherds, where highly revered for their "taking care of their sheep" much like Jesus would be known for.
And, they were regarded as being more Holy because of their closeness to nature as they lived in the field with their flocks.
 
Why The Shepherds?

Is not The "Shepherd" is also one of the Main theme of The Holy Scripture from Genesis to Revelation woven together through out the BOOK. It is book about Shepherds and Sheep. :eyes: and some GOATS.
 
Beetow said:
• Luke 2:8-11 . . And in the same region there were some shepherds staying out in
the fields, and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of The Lord
suddenly stood before them, and the glory of The Lord shone around them; and
they were terribly frightened.

. . . And the angel said to them: Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good
news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; for today in the city of David
there has been born for you a savior, who is Christ the Lord.

The Greek word for "savior" in that verse is soter (so-tare') which means: a
rescuer.

Rescuers typically help people who are in grave distress and/or imminent danger of
death and/or serious injury, and helpless to do anything about it; e.g. Red Cross,
Firemen, Emergency Medical teams, snow patrols, mountain units, and the Coast
Guard and National Guard.

Wouldn't it be awful if those agencies refused to assist desperate folk until they first
proved themselves deserving? Well lucky for everyone that those agencies work on
the basis of need rather than merit or many of us would end up thrown back to the
wolves.

I think quite a few people are under the impression that Christ is some sort of
probation officer; viz: if people "endure to the end" as they say; then he grants
them a clearance for heaven. But God forbid they should fail to satisfy the
conditions of their probation, because then they're out the door.

Probation can be likened to a sword of Damocles hanging over people's heads by a
slender thread easily broken by conduct unbecoming. How dare the angel of Luke
2:8-11 describe his announcement as "good news of great joy" if probation were
actually what's meant by sozo instead of rescue.

On the other hand; if Christ is in the business of rescuing people from the wrath of
God in accord with the humane principles underlying normal emergency services;
then yes, I fully agree with the angel that the birth of Christ is something to get
excited about.
_
Click to expand...

'But God commendeth His love toward us,
in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.'
(Rom 5:8)

Hello @Beetow,

'For unto you is born this day
in the city of David a Saviour,
which is Christ the Lord.'
(Luke 2:11)

Yes, G4990 =Gr. ' Soter' = a deliverer (from G4982 = 'Sozo' = to save) - Praise God!

'For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery,
lest ye should be wise in your own conceits;
that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written,
'There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:'
For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes:
but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes.
For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.'
(Rom 11:25-29)

Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris
 
Hello again, @Beetow,

I am drawn to your question, 'Why only the Shepherds?'

' I have likened the daughter of Zion to a comely and delicate woman.
The shepherds with their flocks shall come unto her;
they shall pitch their tents against her round about;
they shall feed every one in his place.'
(Jer 6:-2-3)

'And I will gather the remnant of My flock out of all countries whither I have driven them,
and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase.
And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them:
and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the LORD.
Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch,
and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.
In His days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely:
and this is His name whereby He shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.'
(Jer 23:3-6)

Praise God!

Thank you again,
In Christ Jesus
Chris
 
@Beetow
Jeremiah 33:7-16

'And I will cause the captivity of Judah and the captivity of Israel to return, and will build them, as at the first.
And I will cleanse them from all their iniquity, whereby they have sinned against Me;
and I will pardon all their iniquities, whereby they have sinned, and whereby they have transgressed against Me.
And it shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and an honour before all the nations of the earth,
which shall hear all the good that I do unto them:
and they shall fear and tremble for all the goodness and for all the prosperity that I procure unto it.

Thus saith the LORD; Again there shall be heard in this place,
which ye say shall be desolate without man and without beast,
even in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, that are desolate,
without man, and without inhabitant, and without beast,
The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride,
the voice of them that shall say, Praise the LORD of hosts:
for the LORD is good; for His mercy endureth for ever:
and of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the LORD.
For I will cause to return the captivity of the land, as at the first, saith the LORD. '

'Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Again in this place, which is desolate without man and without beast,
and in all the cities thereof, shall be an habitation of shepherds causing their flocks to lie down.
In the cities of the mountains, in the cities of the vale, and in the cities of the south, and in the land of Benjamin,
and in the places about Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah,
shall the flocks pass again under the hands of him that telleth them, saith the LORD.'

'Behold, the days come, saith the LORD,
that I will perform that good thing which I have promised unto the house of Israel and to the house of Judah.
In those days, and at that time, will I cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David;
and He shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land.
In those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely:
and this is the name wherewith she shall be called, 'The LORD our righteousness. '

Praise God!
 
PloughBoy said:
Why The Shepherds?

Is not The "Shepherd" is also one of the Main theme of The Holy Scripture from Genesis to Revelation woven together through out the BOOK. It is book about Shepherds and Sheep. :eyes: and some GOATS.
Click to expand...
No,no,NO!
I can read the Bible too and fully understand the difference between Sheep and Goats; not to mention, THERE final separation by God.

BUT, my point was the analogy between Shepherds and the Christ Child!

With your inter-action, do I take it that you now believe that Jesus is YOUR personal Savior?
Biblically, do you consider yourself a Sheep or Goat?
 
Born Again 2004 said:
No,no,NO!
I can read the Bible too and fully understand the difference between Sheep and Goats; not to mention, THERE final separation by God.

BUT, my point was the analogy between Shepherds and the Christ Child!

With your inter-action, do I take it that you now believe that Jesus is YOUR personal Savior?
Biblically, do you consider yourself a Sheep or Goat?
Click to expand...
Hello @Born Again 2004,

I can't speak for PloughBoy, but speaking of myself, I am probably in the category of 'an old goat' now: in the eyes of the world at least. :) But in God my Saviour's eyes I am a lamb without blemish and without spot, for He has placed me in Christ Jesus, His Beloved Son, Who is Himself Holy and without Blame, and without blemish and spot, and so therefore am I, in Him.

Praise His Holy Name!

Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris
 
'And speak unto him, saying,
"Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts," saying,
"Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH;
and He shall grow up out of His place,
and He shall build the temple of the LORD:'
(Zec 6:12)

Hello again, @Beetow

I have been reminded that this amazing record of the Angels announcement to the Shepherds is only given in the gospel of Luke. Whose main purpose is to portray the Lord Jesus Christ as the perfect man, 'The Branch' (Zechariah 6:12), and glorifying God is it's purpose. The words of the Shepherds therefore is just one of several 'Hymns' in which the glory of God is proclaimed (see Luke 1:46-44; Luke 1:68-71; Luke 2:29-32 & Luke 2:14 :-

'And suddenly there was with the angel
a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace,
good will toward men.'
(Luke 2:13)

* In Luke's gospel the Lord is also shown to be the friend of publicans and sinners, and the outcasts of society. So it is fitting that it is he who gives this account of the Angels proclamation of the birth of the Saviour, to these working men, out performing their daily task of looking after the sheep.

* In relation to the question, 'why the Shepherds?' The one practical answer is found in Luke 2:15-20. The shepherds 'made known abroad', and, 'returned, glorifying and praising God' for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them'. In their households, spread about the hillsides and villages of Judea, working men and women would have heard the message given by the angelic host, and been told of the baby that they saw in the manger in Bethlehem, and they would all have identified with that little child. The Lord Jesus Christ came among them as one of them, a man, born in lowly state, yet the Son of the Highest.

Praise His Holy Name!

Thank God for choosing to tell the Shepherds of the birth of His Only Begotten Son.

In Christ Jesus
Chris
 
complete said:
Hello @Born Again 2004,

I can't speak for PloughBoy, but speaking of myself, I am probably in the category of 'an old goat' now: in the eyes of the world at least. :) But in God my Saviour's eyes I am a lamb without blemish and without spot, for He has placed me in Christ Jesus, His Beloved Son, Who is Himself Holy and without Blame, and without blemish and spot, and so therefore am I, in Him.

Praise His Holy Name!

Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris
Click to expand...
How did we get here from speaking about Shepherds!?
 
Born Again 2004 said:
No,no,NO!
I can read the Bible too and fully understand the difference between Sheep and Goats; not to mention, THERE final separation by God.

BUT, my point was the analogy between Shepherds and the Christ Child!

With your inter-action, do I take it that you now believe that Jesus is YOUR personal Savior?
Biblically, do you consider yourself a Sheep or Goat?
Click to expand...
I am not part time. when i relate to anything in THE BOOK my view is always complete and whole and I hold No Partiality in my "Theological Thought patterns" which neither conform to Religious thinking or christianity but "Theo" "logos" "Theology Proper" [Etymology]. in my approach to any part of the relating Text. You might have quote me, but your thoughts went some other way, and left the desired path that I refuse to take, So to be kind let us place no more wood or kindle on this fire and let the flame go out.

Shalom

I ain't going backwards :eyes:
 
complete said:
Hello @Born Again 2004,

I can't speak for PloughBoy, but speaking of myself, I am probably in the category of 'an old goat' now: in the eyes of the world at least. :) But in God my Saviour's eyes I am a lamb without blemish and without spot, for He has placed me in Christ Jesus, His Beloved Son, Who is Himself Holy and without Blame, and without blemish and spot, and so therefore am I, in Him.

Praise His Holy Name!

Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris
Click to expand...
And PloughBoy said:
The bible says: " many prefer the new wine, but The Vintage wine is better":p

Berean Study Bible (Luke 5)
And no one after drinking old wine wants new, for he says, ‘The old is better.’ ” :eyes:
 
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