Sheep Which Have No Shepherd
God told Moses He would show him the Promised Land from the mountain across the Jordan River, and then, he would take him into eternity, as He had already done for his brother, Aaron. Moses' response is remarkable to me. He did not try to talk God out of His plan. In fact, his thoughts were not for himself, at all. He thought about the people he had led for over 40 years. He simply asked God to raise up another leader for the children of Israel, so they would not be like "sheep which have no shepherd."(Numbers 27:15-17)
Many years later the Bible tells us that Jesus, Himself, had similar feelings when He saw the multitudes. "He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd."(Matthew 9:36) Moses had the heart of Jesus, and Jesus had the heart of a shepherd. What an unselfish, unconditional love for the masses of humanity. That is the heart of our God.
Jesus and Moses both knew the same thing. If people are left without a godly leader, they will get into all kinds of sin that leads to destruction and death. Everyone needs to follow the Lord and that usually entails following a leader who is appointed by God to care for them and to lead them in God's ways. We are truly helpless like sheep, but God doesn't leave us without a shepherd. He sent Joshua to take over for Moses, and He still sends servant leaders today.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Numbers 28-30.
Many years later the Bible tells us that Jesus, Himself, had similar feelings when He saw the multitudes. "He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd."(Matthew 9:36) Moses had the heart of Jesus, and Jesus had the heart of a shepherd. What an unselfish, unconditional love for the masses of humanity. That is the heart of our God.
Jesus and Moses both knew the same thing. If people are left without a godly leader, they will get into all kinds of sin that leads to destruction and death. Everyone needs to follow the Lord and that usually entails following a leader who is appointed by God to care for them and to lead them in God's ways. We are truly helpless like sheep, but God doesn't leave us without a shepherd. He sent Joshua to take over for Moses, and He still sends servant leaders today.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Numbers 28-30.