PASTORS or SHEPHERDS (pas'ters Or erds), ro-eh', shepherd), were men who watched over flocks of sheep or cattle, directing them to their right pasture, affording them water, gathering them, when proper, to their fold, and protecting them from hurt.
It seems that their flocks often followed them (John x:1-27). As of old great men's wealth consisted chiefly in their flocks and herds, the office of feeding them was accounted very honor able. Abel, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses. David, nay, the young ladies, as the daughters of Laban and Jethro, etnployed themselves in feeding flocks. (See SHEPHERD.) FiguratiVe. (1) God is compared to a Shep herd; with what tender care did he lead, pro vide for, protect, and govern the Hebrews in the desert, and in Canaan! With what tender care he gathers, governs, protects, heals, and pro vides for the welfare of his church and people! (Gen. xlix :24; Ps. xxiii:i; lxxx:1; Is. xl :I I). (2) Christ is God's Shepherd, because his Fa ther hath given hirn his flock of chosen men, and appointed him to die for, call, and feed them (Zech. xiii:7). (3) He is called the One Shep herd; because he alone owns the sheep, and can in every respect answer and supply all their wants (Ezek. xxxiv:23; John x:I6). (4) He is called the great ond chief Shepherd; he is infinitely great in himself ; he is highly exalted as our Mediator; he has the supreme management of the church in hts hand; and ministers and magistrates are but instruments subject to him (Heb. xiii:2o; I Pet.
v:4. (5) He is the Good ShePherd; in infinite kindness he redeemed his sheep front ruin, by the price of his blood; kindly Ile sympathizes with them, and gives them his own flesh and blood for their provision and nothing good will he with hold from them (John x :14). (6) Ile is the Shepherd ond Bishop of souls; it is men's souls he leads, restores, and satisfies; and their spirit nal and eternal interests are the great objects of his care (I Pet. ii :25; Ps. xxiii :2, 3; Jer. xxxi: to). (7) The "sheftherd and stone of Israel" signifies God, the source of all blessings (Gen. xlix:24). (8) l'olitical rulers in the state, and captains in the army, are called "pasta's and shep herds:" their office requires them to gather, lead, protect, and provide for the welfare of their sub jects and armies, which are their flocks ; although they often act the contrary (Is. xliv:28; lxiii:11; Jer. xii:to; xxiii; xxv :34; Ezek. xxxiv; iii :18). (9) The Chaldean princes and their ar mies were the "shepherds ond flocks" that ruined Judah (Jer. vi :3; xii :to).