There was a close relationship between the shepherd and the sheep which were in his care. However, the sheep would not follow the voice of a stranger. He didn’t use a dog, but rather used his voice – calling out to the sheep and encouraging them to follow him. The shepherd in Israel led his flock and did not drive them as it is done in other countries. Dressed in the simplest and roughest of garments, equipped with the club and the staff, he led his flock into the desert for pasture during part of the year. The shepherd was a well-known character in Palestine. In the Bible, the sheep represent Christ’s followers. They are entirely dependent on the shepherd. And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the nations, in the midst of many peoples, like a lion among the beasts of the forest, like a young lion among the flocks of sheep, which, when it goes through, treads down and tears in pieces, and there is none to deliver. Sheep have helplessness, when they are left on their own with no one to protect them. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. The sheep have the characteristics of docility, meekness and submissiveness. It used to eat of his morsel and drink from his cup and lie in his arms, and it was like a daughter to him. And he brought it up, and it grew up with him and with his children. but the poor man had nothing but one little ewe lamb, which he had bought. The Bible tell us some of the characteristics of the sheep. Awassi sheep at Tel of Bethshemesh, Israel A shepherd with Awassi sheep at Tel of Bethshemesh, Israel It is multi-coloured with white bodies, brown head and legs and has long ears that hang down. In particular, it has a reputation for being one of the highest milk producing sheep in the world. It is used for a range of products which include milk, meat and wool. Awassi is an extremely resilient breed, with a calm temperament.
It is the only indigenous breed of sheep in Israel. In modern times, the Awassi is the most numerous and widespread breed of sheep in the Middle East. The luxurious grasslands of Gilead, Ammon and Moab were the most important sheep-raising regions in biblical times. The sheep is mainly a grazier, that is, it feeds on grasses. As matter of fact the wool was so important that the shearing of sheep was a great festival in Israel. The wool was developed by careful breeding and became very valuable, being the most useful and easily available fibre for clothing. Sheep were first domesticated for their meat and fat.
However as time progressed we see them slowly being domesticated. Sheep started out like all animals as being wild. The importance of the domestic Sheep to the Israelites is shown by its being mentioned some 400 times throughout the pages of the bible. One of these animals was referred to frequently in the Bible to teach important lessons. We are often not so eager for what we seek, after we have found it.ĭo not foolishly ask for things that would bring ruin if they were granted.God used animals to demonstrate various principles according to the animal’s character. Now I promise you a full-grown Bull, if you but make the thief go away!" "Alas, O Jupiter, man does not know what he asks! To find the thief I offered to sacrifice a fat Calf. In great terror the Shepherd fell on his knees. The Shepherd searched a long time without finding any Wolves, but just as he was passing near a large cave on the mountain side, a huge Lion stalked out, carrying a Sheep. But before starting out he made a vow to Jupiter that if he would help him find the thief he would offer a fat Calf as a sacrifice. The Shepherd suspected a Wolf of the deed and so set out toward a rocky region among the hills, where there were caves infested by Wolves. Much irritated, he very loudly and boastfully declared that he would catch the thief and punish him as he deserved. A Shepherd, counting his Sheep one day, discovered that a number of them were missing.
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