He also chose David His servant, and took him from the sheepfolds; from following the ewes that had young He brought him, to shepherd Jacob His people, and Israel His inheritance. (Psalm 78:70-71)
Just as God’s choice of Zion is eternal, so too is His selection of David and his descendants as those who would “shepherd Jacob His people.” The reason for choosing David can be summed up in this phrase — “David His servant.” In Hebrew, the word servant (עבד eved) is distinguished from the person who is no more than a hireling. In fact, that God took him from the sheepfolds hints at the character of the person David was. When most would lock the sheep in pens and leave them overnight, assuming they were safe, David was committed to remain with them.
He was genuinely concerned for their welfare, evidenced by the fact that he stayed with them to make certain all was well. Such genuine concern for those under his care is a sign of a good shepherd. A true leader sees his role as one of increased responsibility rather than increased privilege. This is what prompted the Almighty to send Samuel the prophet to anoint the younger son of Jesse as the legitimate king over Israel and why the Messiah — the Greatest of all Shepherds — is referred to as the “Son of David.” It is not a title given to Him to denote privilege necessarily; it is a title that describes Him as the One who will never leave nor forsake those under His watch and care.
It is written that “He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep” (Psalm 121:4). Couple this with the fact that Messiah is “the door of the sheep,” meaning that He lies down with them so as to keep the thieves and robbers from being able to snatch them away. As the door, He stands in the way of those sheep who would wander out at night and be exposed to the predators lurking in the dark. The One who neither slumbers nor sleeps, Yeshua, said: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep” (John 10:11).
All of this is to say that the Messiah, the Son of David, will reign over His people as a shepherd watches over His flock. That means you and I, as the sheep of His pasture, can rest assured that there will come a day when the wolves and robbers will no longer be a threat. There will be a day when we will be able to go in and out and find pasture and, for all eternity, dwell under His watchful eye. May that day come speedily, even in our lifetime.
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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