Psalm 23 Part 2 The Good Shepherd Feeds And Waters His Sheep With His Word

Ezekiel 34:4-6  The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them. 5  And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered. 6  My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yea, my flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek after them. 

We saw that through the prophet Ezekiel, God condemned the unfaithful shepherds who enriched themselves at the expense of His people.

He condemned both the civil and spiritual leaders of Israel for this error.

We spent time looking at what it means to feed the sheep of God's pasture.

We learned how this refers to faithful pastors, teacher, evangelists and those who led a family to teach truth to all who are under their care.

We also saw the connection with Jesus Christ as the Good Shepherd.

Feeding the flock refers to preaching and teaching the Word of God to the sheep in His fold.

The next few verses from Ezekiel teach us more duties of a good shepherd.

A shepherd must care for a sheep that has any disease, nurturing it back to health, if possible. 

A shepherd must care for a sheep that has a broken or injured limb, seeking to restore it's mobility.

A shepherd must account for all his sheep, and if one is missing, he must go forth to find it.

God condemned the unfaithful, greedy pastors and civil leaders because they did not care for the people who were sheep in God's pasture.

They ignored all who were sick or injured. They never sought for their well being in accord with God's law.

Mathew 4:23-24  And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. 24  And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them. 

Jesus healed those who were blind (See John 9).

Jesus healed lepers (See Mark 1:41-42; Luke 17:11-19).

Jesus healed those who were lame, maimed or deaf (See Matthew 15:30-31).

Jesus cast out numerous devils from afflicted people.

Jesus raised the dead back to life (Mark 5:41-42; Luke 7:14-15; John 11).

Thus, Mark's gospel tells us what the people said about Jesus the Good Shepherd. 

They said "He hath done all things well" (See Mark 7:37).

Psalm 23:1  A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 

Therefore, the Shepherd Psalm foreshadows the works, words and Person of Jesus Christ, and ministers grace, comfort and hope to our soul.

In verse one, Jesus is our Shepherd, and the idea of "I shall not want" means we know that Christ will supply our needs.

We remain in a state of contentment whether we have much or little because we know this truth about our LORD.

Philippians 4:11-19  Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 12  I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. 14  Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction. 15  Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. 16  For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. 17  Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. 18  But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. 19  But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 

The apostle Paul learned to be content because he learned to rely upon the LORD for everything.

When he lacked ("I shall not want") the basic necessities of life, he still trusted that the LORD would sustain him, and He did.

Whether his physical needs were met or not, the Lord strengthened His apostle.

Thus, Paul learned to depend upon the Lord, because He is always good to the sheep of His pasture at all times.

David could say that because God supplied all his needs, each believer can rest assured that He will supply our need too.

Thus, not wanting, or not lacking anything pictures a sheep in God's flock who is content and cared for by our Good Shepherd.

Psalm 23:2  He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 

The idea of contented sheep in the pasture of God continues to be developed by King David.

Green pastures refers to pasture land that is full of fresh green grasses for the sheep to eat.

The shepherd leads his sheep to a place of abundant nourishing food.

The sheep eat until they are filled and then the rest in safety since their shepherd is nearby.

The shepherd leads his flock to still waters. These are deep, pure and clean waters, free from contaminants that the sheep may drink deeply to quench their thirst. 

Psalm 34:8-9  O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. 9  O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him. 

In another Psalm David implores the believer to taste and see how good the LORD is to those who trust Him

Psalm 119:103  How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! 

The Word of God is compared to the best honey that we can consume.

Good honey helps with burn and wound healing. It contains beneficial antioxidants. 

It helps with digestive, cardiovascular and metabolic well being.

1 Peter 2:2-3  As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: 3  If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. 

Scripture is compared to pure, mother's milk.

Mother's milk helps an infant's immune system, lowers the risk of infection, protects against chronic conditions like obesity or diabetes. 

Mother's milk helps with brain and gut health and it lowers the risk of cancer.

Taste the Word of God and see how good He is and how beneficial the scriptures are for our soul.

Isaiah 55:10-11  For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: 11  So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. 

The Word of God is compared with pure waters that refresh and cleanse the believer (See Ephesians 5:26).

Here the LORD speaking through His prophet Isaiah, tells us that His Word is like the life sustaining rains that He sends into the world.

When it waters the earth, the good gospel seed that we sow, will germinate and produce fruit.

The LORD assures us that His Word will never come back empty. 

It has kingdom work to do in our hearts and it will complete the work in us.

Thus, David gives us a picture of a good shepherd taking excellent care of his sheep, because this is ultimately a picture of Christ, the Good Shepherd and His faithful care of us.

We readily see how this beautiful Psalm connects us with the nourishing food for our soul provided by consuming God's Word by reading, meditating on it and studying it.

We readily see how the scriptures cleanse our inner man from the world's defilement, by it soul cleansing waters.

Are we content to be led by Jesus?

Are we satisfied with His abundant provision, such that we invite others to "Taste and see that the LORD is good?"

Are we resting in what God has provided for us in His Son?

May Christ our Good Shepherd lead us along in understanding these beautiful truths, so that we can love and serve Him more and more.

Bob