Sep 8, 1980. It leads to burn out, break downs and depression. When we get tired we take a rest. Kansas City, Missouri 64118, 2017 The Spurgeon Center and Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. The psalmist genuinely expressed his understanding and experience with God as his shepherd. The emphasis of his pulpit ministry is the careful study and verse-by-verse exposition of the Bible, with special attention devoted to the historical and grammatical background behind each passage. They will lead us to places of rest and provision. [1] It is a Psalm that encompasses our live here and even extends into eternity future. The noteworthiness of Psalm 23 was not lost on Spurgeon. Location. The image portrays that God has the power to feed and protect David. John Piper Sep 1, 1980. Our lives should be a testimony to God Himself. It has comforted the noble host of the poor. He talks about going through it, showing that he expects to emerge from its shadows into the light on the other side. Davids guidance from God has a moral component. This also shows us our need of giving Him His rightful place as Lord over our life. There you have it. He leads me - Jesus our Shepherd is in the business of leading and bringing you to a place of rest. There are few experiences in life that would be more satisfying. ), which the WEB has updated. Psalm 23 is written by David who grew up as a shepherd. [4] I read in a John Hunter book that as well as being able to say 'The Lord is my shepherd' we should be able to say 'The shepherd is my Lord.' God (through the prophet Jeremiah) said, For my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the spring of living waters, and cut them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water (Jeremiah 2:13). If we could be saved from wrath, and yet remain unregenerate, impenitent sinners, we should not be saved as we desire, for we mainly and chiefly pant to be saved from sin and led in the way of holiness.[4]. These twin guardian angels will always be with me at my back and my beck. Best known for his expository exegesis of the Bible . Kidner notes: The rod (a cudgel worn at the belt) and staff (to walk with, and to round up the flock) were the shepherds weapon and implement: the former for defence (cf. We are smart enough to do this in the physical. Lie down in green pastures quiet waters - But thank Jesus our great Shepherd that He does bring us to green pastures and quiet waters. Click to enable/disable _gat_* - Google Analytics Cookie. He first spoke them for Israels sake, but he caused Isaiah to record them for our sake. He leads me beside still waters. The World English Bible is based on the American Standard Version (ASV) of the Bible, the Biblia Hebraica Stutgartensa Old Testament, and the Greek Majority Text New Testament. 3He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his names sake. One can rightly say that we face only the shadow of death because Jesus took the full reality of death in our place. If God is our shepherd then we must obey Him wholeheartedly. It is expressed in this verse - Rom He was the son of Jesse and a direct descendant of Abraham. It means to actively pursue, to chase, and normally in a negative sense as when Pharaoh chased Israel at the exodus. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select a Beginning Point No, press on knowing that if there are shadows, there must be light around the corner causing them! Prophets Amazon, in the last couple of weeks (Nov 2014) released the most highlighted passages in their most popular books downloaded onto Kindle, their electronic book reader. But mostly, they were comforting because they were in the hands of a caring shepherd. 1939) is a Calvinist theologian, author, editor, and teacher. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. A number of our soldiers died there. The MacArthur New Testament Commentary is now completethirty-three volumes that take you through the whole New Testament, detail by detail, verse by verse. Joy -- You anoint my head with oil and my cup runs over. It has an inexpressibly delightful application to the dying; but it is for the living, too. Poetical Books God wasnt just a shepherd to others in a theoretical sense, but He was Davids shepherd. Liberated for Life : Galatians - a Bible Commentary for Laymen by John F. MacArthur and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at AbeBooks.com. David claimed that the same God who faithfully rescued the Israelites from Egypt and provided guidance and provision in the wilderness is the same faithful God he served. Anyway, we might have been being a tad naughty but the principle can be quite helpful and this is what I will do with this first verse. His anointing set him apart for his unique role as prophet, priest, and king. This feeding is symbolic of being fed spiritually with the word of God. Jesus the Messiah was also a descendant of King David. David wrote about this in Psalm 25. Pentateuch Guess I had put my eyes on the problem too much! [13] And His goodness and kindness will always follow you. c. I will fear no evil: Despite every dark association with the idea of the valley of the shadow of death, David could resolutely say this because he was under the care of the LORD his shepherd. I need to know you are well.' In Psalm 22 He gives His life for the sheep; in Psalm 23 He gives His love to the sheep; in Psalm 24 He gives us light when He shall appear. ii. Major Prophets [1] As I mentioned, this is one famous Psalm. The comforts of a living saint. One where 'the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. Here David pictures God as a gracious host who provides all that he needs even in times of apparent difficulty. The promises are for those who have been born again not those who simply like the sound of it for a funeral! General Epistles In the United States, a signal honor would be an invitation to stay overnight in the Lincoln bedroom in the White House. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. Pastor John MacArthur. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His names sake.. It is a treasure chest filled with spiritual truths that encourage many. It has remanded to their dungeon more felon thoughts, more black doubts, more thieving sorrows, than there are sands on the sea-shore. When explaining why he was restoring Israel, God said, I dont do this for your sake, house of Israel, but for my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations, where you went. Receive uplifting scriptures, inspiring articles & helpful guides to encourage your faith. You are mine. But the love for our Saviour is great, with us waiting patiently for a time all these woes will come to an end. They believed that something of the persons identity was tied up in the namethat the name expressed something of the persons essential character. Verse 1. Let us not, therefore, be afraid. He wants to genuinely bless His people and live in the abundance of His grace. Heb 12:2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, Psalm 2 Bible Study The Current Rebellion & The Coming King, Psalm 8 Bible Study The wonder of God and the second man, Psalm 16 Part 1: Testing's in the journey through life and death, Psalm 16 Part 2 - Hope in the journey through life and death, Psalm 22 Part 1 - Prophecy of the crucifixion and the wrath of man. The rest of the Psalm exhibits the shepherding care of God that is essential to life. The Old Testament The Gospels So life here for our sheep is one of continual green pastures. It has remanded to their dungeon more felon thoughts, more black doubts, more thieving sorrows, than there are sands on the sea-shore. Pastor John MacArthur. (1.) [6]. In these verses, the metaphor changes from God as shepherd to God as host at a special banquet. He would not be like his Lord if he had not. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters., God as a shepherd knows where to lead His flock to rest. Arno C Gaebelin said (with some small modifications): A good way to read this Psalm is by asking the question, 'What shall I not want?' It has poured balm and consolation into the heart of the sick, of captives in dungeons, of widows in their pinching grief's, of orphans in their loneliness. Check to enable permanent hiding of message bar and refuse all cookies if you do not opt in. He rammed it home so much that come lunch time we were saying 'I WILL eat my lunch', 'I will EAT my lunch.' It helped him even in the valley of the shadow of death to know that God guided him, even through correction. Share. To be invited to a persons table was an honor. '. Our God leads His people into the green pastures and still waters. Articles Messages Books Podcasts Filter Resources By Ask Pastor John. ISBN 10: 0785250662 ISBN 13: . He had been chased and pursued as he ran from his enemies who sought to take his life. Learn More | Livestream | Bulletin Servicios en espaol. Error: Passwords should have at least 6 characters, Error: Usernames should only contain letters, numbers, dots, dashes, or underscores. The shepherds staff was the familiar long rod with a crook on one end. Report an Issue Sermon Correction/Question . It is for 'His name's sake' that He does this. Therefore, when the shepherd started heading off on another journey the sheep followed wherever he went! To eat at the Kings table in the presence of your enemies would show your enemies that the king holds you in high regard, and would demonstrate their powerlessness to hurt you. If there is a wire fence, they'll get caught in it. They will not lie down if they are afraid. These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features. Historical Books Other than the president and family, only a handful of people have been invited to make the White House their homeand then only for a few years. Please see our Privacy Policy for cookie usage details. The Hebrew word for rod (shaybet) here seems to simply mean a stick with a variety of applications. The Analogy of God and the Shepherd in Psalm 23, The Lord As A Shepherd Who Provides (Verse 1), The Lord As A Shepherd Who Guides (Verses 2-3), The Protection And Comfort From Gods Presence (Verse 4), The Blessings of God Amidst Danger (Verse 5), Faith-Filled Content Delivered To Your Inbox, Best NASB Study Bibles Ranked & Reviewed, The Best Bible for Young Adults: Buyers Guide. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. Blue Letter Bible is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. In extreme cases where a lamb continually wandered off and wouldn't stick with the pack (causing the Shepherd to repeatedly have to go and bring the lamb back) the Shepherd would sometimes break the lamb's leg! The shepherd is also a guide who leads the flock on the right path. God is the one who looks after our lives. 4Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. There is something about people who truly know their God. God is his shepherd and his Goda God all-sufficient to all intents and purposes. Luke-Acts The word through is important. Click to enable/disable Google Analytics tracking. i. Sheep are easy targets for parasites, lice, and flies. and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. [11] I have heard of more extreme cases of discipline amongst Middle Eastern Shepherds. It is a song of gratitude that resonates with the authors heart and trust in God. But, what makes it so compelling? Not to raging waves of strife, but to peaceful streams of holy love does the Spirit of God conduct the chosen sheep. That was a question that was once sent to me. Scripture: Psalm 23. b) John MacArthur; MacArthur New Testament Commentary, Ephesians 5:18 - "Be filled" translates the present passive imperative of "pleroo", and is more literally rendered as "be being kept filled." We are "indwelt" by the Holy Spirit at the moment of justification (professing our faith in Christ). ii. And I used to always think 'Well! As I said, it wasn't all easy and plain sailing being a sheep in Israel however. David reflected on God's many blessings to him and concluded that God would continue to be faithful to him and grant him fellowship in the future. Luke-Acts in the resource materials are not necessarily affirmed, in total, by this ministry. Oils and ointments can salve wounds and insect bites. The Blue Letter Bible ministry and the BLB Institute hold to the historical, The shepherd would use his staff to guide sheep and to pull them back from dangerous places. The MacArthur Bible Commentary. the Holy One of Israel, your Savior (Isaiah 43:1-3). The sheep knew that the shepherd was the one who protected them and cared for them. Readers benefit from the coherence a single commentator provides, finding faithful, understandable, and . type 23-6 in the address bar in place of 1-1 so that . When the end of the Babylonian Exile and Israels salvation was nigh, God told Israel: Dont be afraid, for I have redeemed you. Just as when great princes go abroad they must not go unattended, so it is with the believer. (Spurgeon). For instance, we would emphasize 'I WILL build my church' or 'I will BUILD my church' etc. In New Zealand (where I live) all of our farms and fields seem to be 'green pastures' and the sheep tend to munch all day! Now, if you let it and you tended to be a little superstitious, your mind could ponder, and wander, on that a bit. When the psalmist says that God has anointed his head with oil, he means that God has marked him as specialhas set him apart for a significant role. Do you have the confidence to say that the almighty God IS your Shepherd right now? The psalmist doesnt speak of going into the valley, as if it were a box canyon or a final destination. Pastor and teacher John MacArthur covers the complete Bibleevery passage of the Old and New Testaments, phrase by phrasein this valuable one-volume resource. Johannine Writings You anoint my head with oil. SCRIPTURE QUOTATIONS are from the World English Bible (WEB), a public domain (no copyright) modern English translation of the Holy Bible. Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refusing them will have impact how our site functions. Will He never leave me or will something I do cause Him to leave?' c. You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over: Despite the dangers about and the presence of enemies, David enjoyed the richness of his hosts goodness. We need 2 cookies to store this setting. This psalm is taken completely from the sheep's (David) point of view, as he talks about his shepherd. [12] You will only be able to say that if you have truly come to know the Lord Jesus as your Shepherd. ), The New Interpreters Dictionary of the Bible, 5 vol. Pauline Epistles ), Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2000), Mounce, William D., (ed. Forgiveness -- for He restores my soul. Notice the following -. They are still waters, for the Holy Ghost loves peace, and sounds no trumpet of ostentation in his operations. Passwords should have at least 6 characters. A verification email has been sent to the address you provided. and Kahane, Ahuvia, The Oxford English-Hebrew Dictionary (Oxford University Press, 1998), Fohrer, Georg, Hebrew & Aramaic Dictionary of the Old Testament (SCM Press, 2012), Freedman, David Noel (ed. The subsequent trips through the valley become progressively easier as trust increases. The epistle to the Hebrews is a study in contrast, between the imperfect and incomplete provisions of the Old Covenant, given under Moses, and the infinitely better provisions of the New Covenant offered by the perfect High-Priest, God's only Son and the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Prophets It is a Psalm of but 6 verses but countless sermons and entire books have been written on it. They can't run all that fast, don't have the greatest eye sight apparently and, being basically defenceless, are timid and fearful.