From last week:
The key words in the verses that describe God/Jesus:
Rock of Isreal
Carry them forever
Sit on the throne
Words of the wise
Gathers them in his arms
The evil one wants to strike the shepherd and attack the sheep
Lays down his life for the sheep
He knows them, they know him
Overseer of your souls
Chief shepherd
David says, the Lord is MY shepherd. Say all those things above with the word MY in them.
He is MY rock
He carries ME forever
He gathers ME in his arms
The evil one wants to attack ME, but he guards ME
He lays down his life for ME
He oversees MY soul
-pretty strong words-
Lie down by the water
- read psalm 23
Psalm 23:2 He makes me lie down
Why does the shepherd “make” the sheep lie down?
Sheep are nervous on their own. They do not rest easy. The will not rest if they are hungry, scared, agitated.
Remember verse one. I shall not want. God takes care of these things that I need. – not everything that i want, but what I need.
In this verse, God knows that I need rest too.
How are we Americans at taking rest?
What do we do when we rest?
What do “should” we do when we rest?
- fellowship with God and other believers.
Psalm 23:2 …lie down in green pastures.
Why “green” pastures? What is significant about green? how about blue? (water coming next)
- these are peaceful colors. they are calming. nature is full of color like this.
- Green also indicates that the pasture is plentiful and growing and nourishing
Psalm 23:2 he leads me beside still waters
Why not use the image of cattle? They also need guidance. How do you get cattle from one place to another?
- you drive them.
How do you get sheep from one place to another?
- you lead them.
- See the distinction between leading and driving. God is out front and the sheep follow
Note – sheep will not drink from rushing water. It makes them anxious. They also will not seek out clean water by nature. They must be lead to it.
He makes me LIE down in GREEN pastures, he leads me beside STILL waters
As a good shepherd, the Lord guided David to green pasture; that is, He provided well for David, giving him abundance, rest, and peace.
-tie to Jesus-
John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. or abundently
Matthew 11:28. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
John 14:27. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
He provided well for David, giving him abundance, rest, and peace. Jesus in these versus gives us abundance, rest, and peace.
remember I read a whole book on this psalm, this is a passage:
i. Philip Keller (in A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 ) writes that sheep do not lie down easily and will not unless four conditions are met. Because they are timid, they will not lie down if they are afraid. Because they are social animals, they will not lie down if there is friction among the sheep. If flies or parasites trouble them, they will not lie down. Finally, if sheep are anxious about food or hungry, they will not lie down. Rest comes because the shepherd has dealt with fear, friction, flies, and famine.
How are we like this? Can we “rest” when we are worried about fear, friction, health, food or sustenance?
Extra study
What are the two colors mentioned or implied?
Blue for water
Blue — Revelation(color of God); the Spiritual or Heavenly Realm, Exodus 24:10, Ezekiel 1:26, 10:1; Healing; Hope; Grace; Freedom; Holy Spirit & Anointing; Peace; Illumination. Symbol of heaven and authority. Numbers 15:38.
Green
The color green represents a growing and blooming where one is planted. It is representative of a Christian life that produces good fruit and finds rest in Christ. A green plant or tree is a healthy one, growing and producing leaves and flowers. A brown or withered plant is symbolic of the dying process.
Jeremiah 14:8. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”
Extra Extra study – Green (made of yellow and blue) – stretch. not directly from the bible…
yellow – fire – purification
Blue – God
Mix God and purification and get green or everlasting life…