Faith, Folklore, and Friends

It is an ancient profession, this job of being a shepherd. Someone has to tend the sheep. Someone has to keep the flock together; to chase away the predators. They have to keep the little lambs from wandering off and getting lost. They have to keep moving sheep to different pastures, searching for fresh grass. Fresco by Taddeo Gaddi, Basilica of Santa Croce, Florence, Italy, 1332-1338 In the days when believers read Isaiah and waited for the promise, there were many shepherds. The job sometimes fell to single men who had no family responsibilities, who could stay with the sheep day and night. They moved about with the sheep, living in tents or wagons. Being a shepherd was a mundane, lonely job with little to eat and none of the comforts of home. Throughout time, God has used shepherds for his purpose. Before he became the Father of Nations, Abraham tended sheep. Jacob and Isaac were shepherds. Moses spent his time in exile tending sheep. David, who had God's he...

But now,  God ’s Message,      the God who made you in the first place, Jacob,      the One who got you started, Israel: Don’t be afraid, I’ve redeemed you.      I’ve called your name. You’re mine. When you’re in over your head, I’ll be there with you.      When you’re in rough waters, you will not go down. When you’re between a rock and a hard place,      it won’t be a dead end— Because I am  God , your personal God,      The Holy of Israel, your Savior. I paid a huge price for you:      all of Egypt, with rich Cush and Seba thrown in! That’s  how much you mean to me!      That’s  how much I love you! I’d sell off the whole world to get you back,      trade the creation just for you. Isaiah 43:1-4  The Message

But you, Israel, are my servant.      You’re Jacob, my first choice,      descendants of my good friend Abraham. I pulled you in from all over the world,      called you in from every dark corner of the earth, Telling you, ‘You’re my servant, serving on my side.      I’ve picked you. I haven’t dropped you.’ Don’t panic. I’m with you.      There’s no need to fear for I’m your God. I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you.      I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you. ~Isaiah 41:8-10