Happy to be one of our Shepherd's Sheep!
David
I have a beautiful little book, printed in 1904 and gifted to Evelyn Goerke on the occassion of her 10th birthday in 1924. It is entitled, The Song of Our Syrian Guest by William Allen Knight.
He writes the story of a visit to his family of a Syrian shepherd who explains to the family the meaning of Psalm 23 from the understanding of one who lived in that region, knowing first hand the life of a shepherd and his sheep. He has some interesting information to impart. It is beautiful ..........
Starting with, "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want", he calls this the opening strain of the song's music, which is never lost til the "plaintive melody dies away at the song's end". All that follows in the Psalm, he says, is that thought put in varying light.
"He maketh me to lie down in green pastures" speaks of nourishment and rest (for the sheep, but also for us, as the sheep of our Shepherd.)
"He leadeth me beside the still waters". One thinks here of quietly flowing streams, another picture of rest. But, the Syrian tells us, "you miss one of the finest scenes in shepherd life and one of the rarest blessings of the soul that is led by God. All through the day", he continues, "the shepherd keeps one thing in mind as he and his charges roam the land, He must lead his flock to a drinking place. The refreshment of good water makes the coveted hour of all the day; the spot where it is found amid the rough, waterless hills and plains is the crowning token of the shepherd's unfailing thoughtfulness. When at last the sheep are led "beside the still waters", how good it is, after the dust and heat of the sheep-walks!"
The Syrian explains, "Would you get the shepherd meaning here? Then remember that streams are few in the shepherd country of Bible lands. The shepherds do not rely on them. Even where streams are found, their beds and banks are usually broken and their flow rough. Sheep are timid and fear a current of water, as they well may, for they are easily carried down stream because of their wool."
At this point one of the family's children exclaimed, "Poor things! How then do they ever get a drink of water?" "The shepherd sees to that, doesn't he?" asks another.
Pleased that they are listening the guest replies, "Yes, the sheep would indeed have a hard time finding water to drink, were it not that the shepherd sees to that."
The guest turns more serious as he says to the father, "Brother, you and I have learned how much is in that question and answer. How would we get the refreshment we need in the rough world, if the shepherd did not see to that? But he does, doesn't he!"
Now he tells us how it is the shepherd makes sure the sheep get a good drink:
"There are wells and fountains all through the vast regions where the flocks roam, and in some parts there are cisterns, though the sheep like the living water best. The shepherds know where these drinking-places are all through the treeless country where streams are few. It is a fine sight to see the shepherds bring their flocks "beside the still waters" at some well or fountain, while the wide, silent country over which they and many other sheep have wandered, spreads all around them, and the full expanse of the sky arches over them."
"The shepherd makes a certain sound; all his sheep lie down and are quiet. Then he fills the drinking-troughs."
"The bubbling of the fountain, or the current, if it be by a stream, is no longer there to trouble the sheep. They can drink now undisturbed. This is the delicate meaning of that word "still". As he Hebrew words put it, "He leadeth beside the waters of quietness"
"Then the waiting sheep hear a whisper or a call. They never misunderstand; they know their shepherd's voice and never respond to the wrong shepherd if several flocks have come together. And strangest of all, the sheep come up by groups; the shepherd makes them understand. So in groups he leads them until they stand "beside the still waters". And, oh, how they drink, with the shepherd stand near!"
He pauses, gazing far off, then continues softly, "It is a beautiful scene, so beautiful that St. John has used it in picturing heaven." He smiles and quotes: "The Lamb that is in the midst of the throne shall be their shepherd, and shall guide them unto fountains of waters of life."
(...to be continued if you want to read more.":wink:
Its been along while since i seen the movie, sorry for the misquote:shade: Its a good movie though...
