A psalm of David.
ADONAI [the LORD] is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.  Psalm 23:1-2

Following Our Shepherd.  Shepherding is one of the world’s oldest occupations, it exists in all parts of the globe, and it is an important part of pastoralist animal husbandry. Why? A shepherd is necessary for certain animals, like sheep and goats, because they need to move from pasture to pasture to feed. They are unable to fend for themselves and are easily frightened which makes them easy targets for predators. A good shepherd knew their flock, and their flock knew their shepherd’s voice.

One of Israel’s greatest fears was to be as sheep without a Shepherd. For that shepherd would keep them safe from predators, united and not scattered or assimilated, and someone who would keep them healthy and well fed.

 “When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them; and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will never follow a stranger, but will run away from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” (John 10:4-5, TLV)

So the question arises, do we know our Shepherd’s voice well enough that no “stranger” could ever misguide us? How do we learn to recognize our Shepherd’s voice? By knowing Him and His words. From Genesis to Revelation, our Heavenly Father and His Son have made Themselves known.

The Good Shepherd knows our voice? How well do we know His?