Shepherds
Gen 46:31 And Joseph said unto his brethren, and unto his father’s house, I will go up, and shew Pharaoh, and say unto him, My brethren, and my father’s house, which were in the land of Canaan, are come unto me;32 And the men are shepherds, for their trade hath been to feed cattle; and they have brought their flocks, and their herds, and all that they have. 33 And it shall come to pass, when Pharaoh shall call you, and shall say, What is your occupation? 34 That ye shall say, Thy servants’ trade hath been about cattle from our youth even until now, both we, and also our fathers: that ye may dwell in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd is an abomination unto the Egyptians.
Shepherds are nomadic tribesmen, going from place to place, setting up tents to dwell and not builders of cities and civilizations. Egypt was the exact opposite …they built civilizations and found great cities with splendid architecture but the culture of shepherds was repulsive to them. But even till today, shepherds do not fit the city culture. Shepherds were amongst the first to know of the birth of Christ, as they were led to the manager where He lay. Christ is referred to as the good shepherd. Christians are likened to sheep not wolves …sheep who hear and recognize the call of their master.
The work of the shepherd is boring, tedious and messy. Leading sheep to waters and protecting them from wolves and lions or bears can be risky? But David, the man after God’s heart started as a shepherd, and it was amongst sheep that he was prepared for the palace. The same with Moses … unlike Solomon – who was a builder of cities that people came from afar to see. The ways of shepherds do not agree with city dwellers just as serving God and mammon cannot both be done. Doing one makes you and enemy to the other. The culture of the kingdom of God is abomination to that of earthly civilizations and vice versa is also true. Invariably we must choose.
Joseph – the good shepherd, may have told them to hide their true occupation to be accepted in Egypt and freely mingle with the Egyptians …this may have its benefits – but it would have been a choice that would have led to the destruction of their Hebrew culture which God wanted preserved. What choice are you making? Do you see the gulf of difference between the present culture of today and the ways of the kingdom? Every culture and civilization has its supervising principality … thus we are told we wrestle not against flesh and blood but spiritual entities that control earthly kings and worldviews.
It is a good sign when there is a tension between your kingdom habits and how the world cultivates its success. Do not be surprised at the enmity that seems to thrive between the culture of the kingdom of God and the culture of postmodern civilization. Again, the question is “who is on the Lord’s side, who will serve the King?” The work of serving the King is to find lost sheep and bring them back home. The religion of modern civilization is humanism. Man is their god.
Song.
Who is on the Lord’s side? Who will serve the King? Who will be His helpers, other lives to bring?
Who will leave the world’s side? Who will face the foe? Who is on the Lord’s side? Who for Him will go?
By Thy call of mercy, by Thy grace divine, We are on the Lord’s side—Savior, we are Thine!
Not for weight of glory, nor for crown and palm, Enter we the army, raise the warrior psalm;
But for love that claimeth lives for whom He died: He whom Jesus nameth must be on His side.
By Thy love constraining, by Thy grace divine, We are on the Lord’s side—Savior, we are Thine!
Prayer: Lord, Help me to see that serving you will cause some rejection. Comfort me. Amen
The Songs of Joseph is an integration of encouragement scriptural devotions, prayers and a compendium of songs of mercy, salvation, new beginnings and victory. We can expect as we trust and obey that our end will indeed be ultimately glorious because God works His marvellous agenda. Be blessed as you read and sing along, daily. Edited by Bolade Apampa
