Shepherds are prevalent figures in biblical history. He proudly proclaims, "I am the good shepherd." (The entire first century readers gasped!) IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament [Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2014], 185)! . What was a shepherd in the Bible? After writing of the birth of Christ (2:1-7), Luke abruptly stated, "And there were shepherds.". Here are five cast-off groups that Jesus loved: 1. The shepherds closed the fold entrance, and often had a roofed shelter in which to sleep and/or make cheese. God can use the most distant, defiled and outcast. One such group of people who were labeled "sinners" were shepherds. The latter [ordinary shepherds] were under the ban of Rabbinism, on account of their necessary isolation from religious ordinances, and their manner of life, which rendered strict legal observance unlikely, if not absolutely impossible. The third candle is the Shepherd's Candle - Joy The lighting of this candle is a reminder that God came for the most unlikely and insignificant people. Why Shepherds? They were considered outcasts at the time because they. The Shepherds: Willing Hearts. Why were shepherds chosen as the first on earth to hear the strange glorious news of the birth of the Savior of the world? They were filthy, dirty scum of the earth types. He is no longer a . And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear." Luke 2:8-9 In the ancient days of the Old Testament, working as a shepherd was a respectable career. . It was dark, the Shepherds were in the field, near Christ's birth, as they tended their flock. The shepherds were undoubtedly coarse, unlearned men. They were hated by many people, considered untrustworthy and unclean. It's not a fair question because the Bible does not go in detail about it. Others point to a prophecy in Jer. Prostitutes, tanners, and shepherds were all placed in the same class of the Jewish . American author Randy Alcorn (who has written quite a good book on the subject of heaven) has written a book chapter and an online article about the poverty and status of the shepherds as poor outcasts:. For a short time, King David's rise to power raised the shepherd status, but it didn . A Little Bit about First Century Shepherds. The Shepherds remind us how God comes to mankind. Shepherds were kind of like our modern-day migrant workers—they had jobs that many people didn't want. They performed an important task since the lambs were sacrificial animals. by a visit from the angel of the Lord, and then . In Christ's day, shepherds stood on the bottom rung of the Palestinian social ladder. Yet, heavenly messengers proclaimed the news about the Savior who had been born to the shepherds. In the light of divinity each of us is filthy, simple and broken. They were considered untrustworthy and their work made them ceremonially unclean and as a result they could not participate in worship. The angels: God's messengers Answer A shepherd during the time of the Old Testament was often, but not always, a child. However, on this night, an angel appears to the shepherds. The message of the gospel first came to shepherds, the pariahs of Judaism, to signify that the Savior had come for them. Their job has far more greater importance. But when the shepherds witness the birth first, this underscores the tone of Jesus' life and ministry on earth. On that night, light expelled darkness. Jewish writings made it clear that "It is the way of a woman to stay at home and it is the way of a man to go out into the marketplace." (Bereshit Rabbah) While literacy was an important element in . So it is fitting that it is he who gives this account of the Angels proclamation of the birth of the Saviour, to these working men, out . Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock. He invites those who are poor, uneducated, despised, and outcasts like the shepherds. The social status of a shepherds declined when Israel ceased living as nomads and became more accustomed to farming. "Kings were called 'shepherds' as being guardians and carers of their people (56:11; 2 Samuel 24:17; 1 Kings 22:17; Jeremiah 2:8). The presence of sheep in the fields does not argue . Shepherds were considered ceremonially unclean because they invariably had to engage in financial transactions with the Gentiles; therefore, they were not allowed in the temple. Shepherds represent outcasts (which is why Luke uses them as this evangelist is particularly interested in showing that Jesus came for all). Gentiles were aliens from Israel, alienated from the life of God, no people and a foolish nation. Such sheep were kept in the environs of Jerusalem including Bethlehem which lies just five miles south of that city. Luke 2:18 appears to lean against the view of shepherds as societal outcasts. Sheep were often used as sacrificial animals ( Numbers 28:4; Exodus 29:39 ). Like the shepherds, Israel looked down and scorned Jesus. Shepherds were there, keeping watch over their flocks. - think about the characteristics of these men: A. This Promised One is Jesus, the Son of God, the Good Shepherd. Any avid reader of the Bible or student of early Jewish history will know that tending sheep was the choice profession of many of our nation's progenitors. The Shepherds See Jesus in the Manger. The presence of sheep in the fields does not argue . The Bible describes Jesus as the good shepherd (John 10:11). And he began to teach them many things. The sheep/goats were free-range by day in specific areas but usually folded at night, protected by stone walls. . 10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. In summer, they probably baked several day Draw closer to Jesus now. The Lord Appears to the Outcasts - The Epiphany: Luke 2. So perhaps shepherds, who cared for the young lambs, who sat through cold dark nights in the fields to guard and protect . The shepherds teach us that Jesus invites all to come to him. And as the Lamb, He was destined to die for the sins of the world, to die for these very shepherds as their Savior. They smell a lot like a typical cowboy. A: By coming to the shepherds, the angel revealed the grace of God towards mankind! The shepherds of Bethlehem persisted in an honorable occupation that also claimed various Old Testam On that night in Bethlehem, outside of Joseph and Mary, the only people in the world who knew Christ had been born were the shepherds. EXPLORE THE BIBLE: (20-30 minutes) Say: We are going to hear a very familiar story, but before we do, I want you to know . Copy. Christ was born to be the Savior of sinners. When a male lamb is born in one of these shepherd's flocks, the shepherd examines it to make sure that it is spotless and perfect. The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear. A Little Bit about First Century Shepherds They were outcasts. Were shepherds considered outcasts during biblical times? Sedition afoot? No, though it may have been considered menial labor; even then, it was very necessary and important. . He continues, "The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.". Shepherds were shunned by "respectable" people, especially by the religious Jews and the elite of Israel, and were often considered to be socially on par with tax collectors and prostitutes. From man's limited perspective, God was sending a band of filthy, smelly outcasts to be the greeting party for His Son and to spread the good news of . After the shepherds saw Jesus with their own eyes, the Bible says they "returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen (v. 20)." Author Eugene Peterson wrote in his book, The Message, that the shepherds "let loose, glorifying and praising God." How wonderful it is to know Jesus the Messiah has come! The eating of unclean animals is a religious offense called to'ebah: "Thou shalt not eat any abominable thing" (Deut. If fed grass of poor quality, the sheep would be malnourished. Their sources are generally many years after the New Testament time period, plus Aristotle who was from a different culture and 300 years before Jesus. Instead of choosing a . If the shepherds of Luke's account were those who kept flocks potentially destined for the Temple at Migdal Eder, they especially would have been receptive to the angel's message. In first-century Palestine, a woman's social sphere was only as large as her family. During this time, shepherds were social outcasts. In the Old Testament, we see clear descriptions of Abraham, Moses, and David as shepherds. Jesus is the Good Shepherd, who laid his life down for the sheep. God is the initiator. (Luke 2:11). a. I've lived in Oklahoma or Texas for the majority of my life, and my in-laws are ranchers so agricultural . Presumably they were carefully watched over to keep them safe from incurring any blemish that might render them unusable for the temple service. There they were, the shepherds, watching their flocks of sheep, protecting them from predators just like any other night of the year. Shepherds were shunned by "respectable" people, especially by the religious Jews and the elite of Israel, and were often considered to be socially on par with tax collectors and prostitutes. . In the Christmas story we read that angels appeared to shepherds to announce the birth of Jesus. something about shepherds in Palestine 2000 years ago. — Matthew 8:23-27. Shepherds in the Bible times, and even today, are considered the poor or of the lower class of society. From man's limited perspective, God was sending a band of filthy, smelly outcasts to be the greeting party for His Son and to spread the good news of . • Among the occupations, shepherding had a lowly place. Waiting for the Messiah, the people eagerly anticipated the one who would "shepherd" Israel. Many people have traditions such as listening to Christmas music, sending cards, decorating a tree, or reading the Christmas story. Women. Animal pens stink, but humans who keep the animals don't walk around with dung clinging to themselves if they can help it. Many scholars have taught that shepherds were societal outcasts in first-century Israel. For further protection, shepherds often carried a sling, comprised of a leather pouch on a string. As a result, they were religious outcasts. That's why they worshipped him. And when it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, "This is a desolate place, and the hour is now late. Shepherds represent outcasts (which is why Luke uses them as this evangelist is particularly interested in showing that Jesus came for all). In the past, I had never really given much thought to the significance of shepherds at the birth of Jesus. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. John 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. . Humbly the Shepherds Came to God like they were. . What unlikely messengers—social outcasts—of the gospel of peace. The Savior, now lying in that manger, was to be the Lamb of God. Shepherds were so not cool in Jesus' world. During this Advent devotion, we'll be looking at 5 different responses from people who were present for the coming of Jesus and we'll look at how they prepared for His arrival. Given the importance of sheep and shepherds like Moses and David in the Old Testament, it should be no wonder that shepherds are an integral part of the account of Jesus' birth and life. "And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night." ( Luke 2:8) The Bible is filled with powerful examples of sheep and Shepherds, - Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses and David. As to why God chose to reveal the birth of His Son to shepherds, well shepherds were the lowest class of people, sometimes they were even criminals and outcast. But all of them had the same basic elements: baby Jesus and his parents, wise men, some animals, and shepherds. But the scriptures are sufficient, the Bible tells us what we need to know for life and godliness (2 . They were seen Bible verses about Accepting Outcasts. 33:13-16 that speaks of God sending his Messiah to shepherds watching their flocks. Vocational shepherds are not outcasts. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven. The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God - What irony, for in the religious center Jerusalem the leaders did not truly worship God, but here in the fields outside Bethlehem were the common, non-religious shepherds worshipping God! Matthew 9:36-38 reads, "When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. These sheep were apparently kept outdoors all year round. He invites those who are poor, uneducated, despised, and outcasts like the shepherds. Jesus was not just a good S hepherd; the author of Hebrews describes Him as the " Great Shepherd .". In other words, they were the very people Jesus Christ chose to be with. Shepherd's Status By Randy Alcorn March 11, 2008 "And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. They were filthy, dirty scum of the earth types. Due to the shepherds' proximity to Bethlehem (Migdal Eder), they were . Last week, we learned how the angels came to the shepherds to announce the birth of Jesus. Many scholars stated that shepherds were the outcasts, Lower social class and uneducated. Christ was born to be the Savior of sinners. The message of the gospel first came to shepherds, the pariahs of Judaism, to signify that the Savior had come for them. We Are Similar In Our Offensiveness While none of us are shepherds (as they were), every man/woman has been or is a defiled sinner in the eyes of God (Galatians 5:19-21) (Romans 3:10-20) (Romans 5:12) . The shepherds teach us that Jesus invites all to come to him. They were the lowest of the low. And I will heal you of your wounds,' declares the Lord, 'Because they have called you an outcast, saying: "It is Zion; no one cares for her."' "Thus says the Lord, 'Behold, I will restore the fortunes of the tents of Jacob. Both the geographical locations of Bethlehem and nearby Migdal Eder are mentioned in Micah's prophecy of the Messiah (Micah 5:2 and 4:8). See The Woman's Study Bible (1995), p. 1690. They worked on the Sabbath, their manners, like their language, were course, their hygiene was poor, they were outsiders with numerous strikes against them. In regard to Migdal . No one cared about the shepherds. Some think that because David was a shepherd, God wanted to reveal himself to the same kind of people. 'For I will restore you to health. Some think the sheep being watched in the Bible story were those specially destined for sacrifice. Jeremiah 30:17-22. And he responds to those who choose to humble themselves before Him. Shepherds were shunned by "respectable" people, especially by the religious Jews and the elite of Israel, and were often considered to be socially on par with tax collectors and prostitutes. And have compassion on his dwelling places; The sheep they care for are not just any ordinary sheep. They were considered . They did not have many social contacts, were comsidered rough and unclean, and lived outside the towns and cities. After the "400 silent years," when God did not speak through prophets, he now speaks through angels to lowly shepherds on a remote hillside outside a tiny Judean village. . Luke 2:8-20 (NKJV) Now there were in the same country shepherds (their work kept them from the Temple and synagogue; they also were made ceremonially unclean by their work; thus they were outcasts) living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. In John 10:11, He turns the tables on the "dirty" profession of shepherding. Abraham had much cattle and sheep as well, as did every wealthy man in the Bible, not that they necessarily were the shepherds however, for they most likely hired this out. He also invites the rich, educated, respected, and well thought of like the Magi. In regard to Migdal . The shepherds got to see what is usually invisible to human eyes - the glory of God. It was as if God, who is always there, pulled back the curtain to reveal something of his glory. John 3:16 and Romans 10:13 reminds us of God's invitation to everyone because "whoever believes will have . John 3:16 and Romans 10:13 reminds us of God's invitation to everyone because "whoever believes will have . December 9, 2021 One of the first occupations in the Bible was a shepherd, held by Abel (Genesis 4:1-8). The shepherds were in the fields near Bethlehem where David centuries before had also kept his flocks (1 Samuel 17:34,35). Men that the scribes and pharisees would have delighted to shun and avoid. The shepherds were in the fields near Bethlehem where David centuries before had also kept his flocks (1 Samuel 17:34,35). The real question, though, was whether it reflects an accurate portrayal of the shepherds in the Old and the New Testaments. 8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. The Shepherds were not poor outcasts. The angel's message to the shepherds is the joyful news that the Savior promised to Israel in its days of darkness is now a present reality: God is with us in the flesh. See answer (1) Best Answer. " And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. The shepherds were the outcasts of Israel; they… and the outcasts of society. The source of this information was a . Not only did the family and community rely on shepherds to raise and defend livestock, the shepherds had the responsibility to provide the priests with acceptable sacrifices. . The shepherds were the first to be notified of Jesus' birth and are an important part of the nativity story. Shepherds often let their sheep graze together and when they did they used the opportunity to share local gossip. Christ Jesus is the figurative shepherd of all of Gods children. Humbly the shepherds responded, willing to listen and obey. Let's look at the story as written in the Bible to see what we can know about the shepherds. If the shepherds of Luke's account were those who kept flocks potentially destined for the Temple at Migdal Eder, they especially would have been receptive to the angel's message. Many people have traditions such as listening to Christmas music, sending cards, decorating a tree, or reading the Christmas story. "Shepherds were often viewed as outcasts, and as dishonest, and unclean according to the Law." . There is another observation and it is a sad one — even though the shepherds had spread the message . God is the seeker. There was probably a sleep rota, but . Matthew 10: 32 "Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. For the last two weeks, we have been learning the Story of Christmas through the characters that are part of the story: animals, angels, shepherds, Mary and Joseph, and of course, baby Jesus and so on. The Bible says the shepherds ran to see . The first announcement of the Messiah's birth was given to shepherds, an unlikely group to receive such an important announcement. Whatever his age, the shepherd's job was to protect his flock and guide them to good pastures with plenty of food and slow-moving, easily accessible water. For these shepherds, they are charged with raising the sheep used for the Passover sacrifices in the temple. Perhaps because shepherds would understand. . The shepherds knew they were not going to see just any baby. . Luke 2:8-20 (NKJV) Now there were in the same country shepherds (their work kept them from the Temple and synagogue; they also were made ceremonially unclean by their work; thus they were outcasts) living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Bible in a Year Information; . Then suddenly, out of nowhere, the angels of heaven appeared to. Notice at least three ironies: Irony #1: Sinful People. They were outcasts. They knew he was the promised Messiah, the Suffering . Meanwhile Mary kept all these things in her heart, pondering the workings of God in her young life. " (Luke 2:8) The Bible is filled with powerful examples of sheep and Shepherds, - Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses and David. Shepherds were not considered "nice" people. " And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. Both the geographical locations of Bethlehem and nearby Migdal Eder are mentioned in Micah's prophecy of the Messiah (Micah 5:2 and 4:8). As to why God chose to reveal the birth of His Son to shepherds, well shepherds were the lowest class of people, sometimes they were even criminals and outcast. From man's limited perspective, God was sending a band of filthy, smelly outcasts to be the greeting party for His Son and to spread the good news of . How will you prepare to celebrate the Savior's birth this year? How will you prepare to celebrate the Savior's birth this year? He also invites the rich, educated, respected, and well thought of like the Magi. Many of the great heroes of the Bible were shepherds. Invite your friends to draw closer with you, now. Take Luke chapter 2. David was a shepherd and taken from the flock to lead Israel ( 1 Sam. - Their work not only made them ceremonially unclean (sometimes dealing with dead animals) A Little Bit about First Century Shepherds They were outcasts. During this Advent devotion, we'll be looking at 5 different responses from people who were present for the coming of Jesus and we'll look at how they prepared for His arrival. Wolves were a potential problem, notably in the north, where goats outnumbered sheep. 5 And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered. . Men despised and rejected—just as He would soon be. • They were outcasts, not allowed in the city, and not trusted by the general public, for often, they were thieves. It wasn't a likely way to win the world. They were going to see the newborn Lamb of God. no power brokers, but the social outcasts of the day, a band of shepherds. God will show you all something wonderful. These Were No Ordinary Shepherds. no palace, but a manger surrounded by animals. While it is evident that there were shepherdesses in Israel at the time of Jesus' birth, many scholars and theologians believe that these shepherds referenced in Luke 2 were no ordinary shepherds, and thus could not have been women. 16:11-13 ), and here in Luke 2:8-18 God announces the birth of the "chief shepherd" ( 1 Pet. Still others say that the shepherds were special because they were watching sheep designated for sacrifice in the temple. In the Bible such moments force us to reflect on God's beautiful orchestration. But even though their service was important to the religious system, they were outcasts. 1. The Story of Jesus' Birth The story of Jesus' birth is found in Luke 2:1-21. . Men who were rejected - Shepherds were really considered outcasts in Israel! . To show that God cares for the overlooked or forgotten. When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. The heralding of His birth to some of the lowest of the low reminds us that we are all unwashed . Counter consideration or claim…. But this is FIRST CENTURY Israel - they had . . Shepherds lived with their sheep in the fields day and night, ensuring that no harm would come to them. I bring you good news that will cause . Shepherds were considered unreliable and social outcasts in their culture so that these men probably struggled with hope. They were outcasts, losers, sinners. " (Luke 2:8) The Bible is filled with powerful examples of sheep and Shepherds, - Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses and David. 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