The Shepherd Motif in the Old and New Testament In the first 5 chapters of Laniak’s text he vividly established the “prototypes for later pastoral traditions” (Laniak 2006: 115) by shedding light on the use of the shepherd metaphor in the Bible. He then goes on to show that the motif of the shepherd through “the prophetic voices who spoke on behalf of the divine Kind, the true Shepherd of Israel” (Laniak 2006: 115) make up the bulk of the prophetic messages we find there. Laniak starts in the Old Testament with Isaiah and ending with Zechariah. Following his meticulous exegesis of the shepherd motif in these books of prophesy, he then delves into the four gospels starting from Mark and finishing with John. The author starts giving some background …show more content…
In Is. 40:11, we read how the Shepherd takes care and protects the most helpless of the flock. It says that “He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.” In this respect, Laniak explicates, “It is striking that the nurturing role of the divine Shepherd described in 40:11 is preceded by the image of a powerful God whose ‘army rules for him’” (v. 10), (Laniak 2006: 127). In chapter 44:28 Isaiah prophesizes: “who says of Cyrus, ‘He is my …show more content…
In Jeremiah’s prophesy declares, “Hear the word of the Lord, O nations. And declare in the coastlands afar off, and say, ‘He who scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him as a shepherd keeps his flock’” (v.10). In this respect Laniak writes, “The first twenty chapters of Jeremiah are rich in figures of speech, and among the most persistent are these that are grounded in pastoral like’ (Laniak 2006:133). Jeremiah also says, “Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of my pasture!” (Jer. 23:1). He the expression “my pasture” In Ezekiel’s prophesy the prophet is unique in his presentation of the shepherd motif. Laniak comments, “Ezekiel intentionally employs themes and motifs from the original exodus/wilderness/Sinai traditions to make his case” (Laniak 2006: 145). We can consider this approach very effective since the exodus/wilderness/Sinai tradition is where God really manifest in shepherd characteristics quite clearly. For this prophet, we will provide chapter 34:11-16 as a strong Scripture that highlights the shepherd motif very clearly. It state,
This book had first started out by introducing the readers to what this book is going to sound like, which was the Introduction.
The author starts off his book with a note highlighting the meaning of this book. It is as follows:
It ends with him talking about his Brother Fesser helped write this book. Part Three Chapters 1 and 2 The start of these two chapters goes something like this. Howard Hefley the author gets his nickname monk.
ability to lead them to success, like some of Moses’s followers losing patience and faith in God
The book opens up at the office of a professor named Burris. A former student of his, Rogers, and his friend, Steve, arrive at his office. They are disturbed by the current state of life in America and have come to Burris to ask him about the utopia that he had once discussed in class. Rodgers got his inspiration from an article written by a man named Frazier. It turns out Frazier, a friend of Burris’s from graduate school, is also where Burris got his ideas. Burris sends
Among Jewish peasantry at the time of Jesus were two distinct types of prophets: the action prophets, who "led sizable movements of peasants from the villages of Judea in anticipation of God's new, eschatological act of liberation," and the oracular prophets, who delivered oracles of either judgment or deliverance (185). The former, as illustrated by the case of Theudas, appea...
Hindson, E. E., & Yates, G. E. (2012). The Essence of the Old Testament: A survey. Nashville, Tenn: B & H Academic.
Zechariah is one of the Minor Prophets of the Old Testament. His book is located between the books of Haggai and Malachi. Zechariah is thought to have preached from about 520-518 B.C. The book of Zechariah deals with the restoration of Jerusalem, the Temple, and God‘s people. Chapter 11 verses 4-17, which is a story of two shepherds, is one of the most difficult passages in the Old Testament to understand. From the New Living Translation, the passage reads as follows: 4 This is what the LORD my God says: "Go and care for a flock that is intended for slaughter. 5 The buyers will slaughter their sheep without remorse. The sellers will say, 'Praise the LORD, I am now rich!' Even the shepherds have no compassion for them. 6 And likewise, I will no longer have pity on the inhabitants of the land," says the LORD. "I will let them fall into each other's clutches, as well as into the clutches of their king. They will turn the land into a wilderness, and I will not protect them." 7 So I cared for the flock intended for slaughter – the flock that was oppressed. Then I took two shepherd's staffs and named one Favor and the other Union. 8 I got rid of their three evil shepherds in a single month. But I became impatient with these sheep – this nation – and they hated me, too. 9 So I told them, "I won't be your shepherd any longer.
The Book of Exodus begins hundreds of years later once Joseph and his brothers have all died. This leaves a void in leadership over Israel and is eventually subdued to Moses. He is a Hebrew boy who starts off as a slave, and eventually encounters God through the burning bush where he is convinced to assume his role as leader of the Israelites. With the help of his brother Aaron, they face controversy with the Pharaoh of Egypt trying to rid their people and lead them to a land full of prosperity, which God has promised. It is through Moses leadership that they find freedom and religious conformity as a community. Although Moses is initially timid, he consequently develops the willpower of a traditional hero through attaining a personal relationship with God and his people through the breaking of the clay tablets along with using the power God has given him through his staff to intimidate the Pharaoh and shows his urgency and pride as leader of a great nation.
Quote and story being discussed is clearly identified. Background information is provided to help the reader understand the context of each quote and/or story event.
“In my estimation a good book first must contain little or no trace of the author unless the author himself is a character. That is, when I read the book I should not feel that someone is telling me the story but t...
... people. It also shows the dependence of people on God. Moses was a man of courage who sought to see the face of the God. He received the laws of the lord and made sacrifices for them when they sinned. Moses acted as a mediator between Yahweh and his people (Woolfe).
Arragel, Moses, A. Paz Y Meliá, Julián Paz, and Alba, Jacobo Stuart Fitz-James Y Falcó. Bible (Old Testament). Madrid: Priv. Print. for Presentation to the Members of the Roxburghe Club, 1918. Print.
The only thing found in scripture is a command to honor and pray for those in authority and obey uncontradictory laws set in place. Love and commitment for any worldly kingdom is neither instructed nor praised in Scripture
Smith, James E. The Major Prophet. Joplin, MO: College Press, 1992. Print. The. Old Testament Survey Series -.