Wednesday, April 2, 2025

Tonight’s Study: Session 11 – Jehovah Rohi – The Lord Is My Shepherd

Introduction: For at least part of their history, the Hebrews were a nomadic people, wandering from place to place and seeking pasture for their herds of sheep, goats, and cattle. To sustain their livelihood, it was vital for shepherds to keep their animals from straying, to protect them from thieves and wild animals, and to provide them with plentiful pastures. In the ancient Near East and in Israel itself, “shepherd” eventually became a metaphor for kings. The Hebrew Scriptures speak of God as the Shepherd of His people and apply this image to religious leaders as well. In this study we see that Jehovah Rohi is truly the Shepherd of His people, loving them and leading them.

The first and most well-known usage of God described as “Shepherd” in the Bible is found in Psalm 23:1.

Key Scripture Passage Where Jehovah Rohi – The Lord Is My Shepherd is Found

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever. (Psalm 23:1-6)

Understanding The Name

Shepherding was one of the earliest human occupations. A family’s wealth was measured by how many sheep, goats, cows, horses, camels, and/or donkeys a man owned. Abel, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and David were all shepherds. Before David fought Goliath, he told Saul: “Your servant used to keep his father’s sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, I went out after it and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it.”

(I Samuel 17:34–35)

It was the shepherd’s responsibility to count each animal in order to make sure none had gone astray. At night, sheep were kept in simple enclosures, in caves or within walls made from bushes. At times, the shepherd would sleep with his body lying across the gate to the enclosure in order to keep the sheep safe.

Though Israel’s religious leaders were also referred to as shepherds, they were often chided for their failure to watch over the flock of God. Both then and now, Jehovah Rohi is the one true shepherd of His people.

A Verse by Verse Breakdown and Application of Psalm 23

Verse 1 – The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

• The imagery used is that of the Lord being a shepherd. He is the provider of all His people’s needs. His people will be in need of nothing that He can’t provide.

Verses 2 and 3 – He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.

• Four characterizing activities of the Lord as shepherd, emphasizing His grace and guidance are followed by the ultimate basis for His goodness: His name’s sake. God upholds His name by fulfilling His promises.

 Verse 4 – Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

• the valley of the shadow of death. Phraseology used to convey a perilously threatening
• Your rod and Your staff. The shepherd’s club and crook are viewed as comforting instruments of protection and direction.

As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:36-39)

   Verse 5 – You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.

• The able Protector is also the abundant provider.
• You anoint. The Biblical imagery of anointing is frequently associated with blessing (Psalm 45:7;92:10;104:15;133:2; Ecclesiastes 9:8; Amos 6:6; Luke 7:46).

    Verse 6 – Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.

• God’s goodness and mercy are not fleeting or conditional toward His flock. Jehovah Rohi, The Lord Is My Shepherd is a good Shepherd. He loves His sheep God’s goodness and mercy “follow” after those whom He loves. God’s goodness and mercy actively seek and embrace us, even in difficult times.
• Dwell in the House of the Lord. This phrase refers to living in God’s presence, both now and in eternity. It suggests a deep and abiding relationship with God, a place of peace, joy, and eternal communion.
• This verse reminds us of God’s character as a loving and faithful shepherd who cares for His sheep (people).

Being Found faithful in The Lord’s House in the here and now prepares us for the heavenly thereafter!

I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go into the house of the Lord.” (Psalm 122:1)

And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:24-25)

Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”

(Revelation 21:1–5)

Jesus Is Jehovah Rohi – The Lord Is My Shepherd

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd. “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.” (John 10:11-17)

Conclusion: In the Old Testament, Psalm 23, attributed to King David, is a cornerstone of understanding Jehovah Rohi, depicting God as a shepherd who leads, protects, and provides for His flock. The image of a shepherd caring for his sheep is a powerful metaphor in the Bible, representing God’s role as a provider, protector, and guide. The use of “my” in “my shepherd” highlights the personal and intimate relationship God desires with each individual. For the New Testament church today, Jesus is the good shepherd (John 10:11a), emphasizing His role as a protector and provider for His sheep (followers) for whom He ultimately died for (John 10:11b). Every believer must consider how Jehovah Rohi’s attributes apply to their life and circumstances, trusting in His care and guidance as their shepherd.

Next Week, Session 12: Jehovah Tsidkenu – The Lord Our Righteousness