The Good Shepherd - Missed Connections

The Good Shepherd - Missed Connections

Understanding Yeshua as the Good Shepherd Through Old Testament Connections

This Bible teaching from Founded in Truth Fellowship, likely delivered by Matthew Vander Els, explores the deeper meaning behind the familiar passage in John chapter 10 where Yeshua (Jesus) describes himself as the good shepherd. The message emphasizes that the New Testament authors, including John, did not simply record historical events but intentionally crafted their narratives to show how Yeshua directly fulfills the prophecies and stories of the Old Testament. This particular teaching focuses on the connections between John's portrayal of Yeshua as the good shepherd and the Old Testament books of Numbers and Ezekiel.

The Context of John Chapter 10: Conflict and Identity

To grasp the full significance of Yeshua's words in John 10, it's crucial to understand the context provided in the preceding chapters of John. Chapters 7 through 9 detail increasing conflict between Yeshua and the Pharisees and religious leaders. Yeshua performed miracles and gave teachings that challenged their authority and identity. In John chapter 9, the healing of a blind man and the subsequent interrogation of both the man and his parents by the Pharisees highlight the religious leaders' resistance to Yeshua's divine actions and their concern for maintaining their own power. Their insistence that they were disciples of Moses and their rejection of Yeshua's origins set the stage for Yeshua's discourse on the good shepherd.

Yeshua, the Greater Joshua: A Transfer of Leadership

The teaching reveals that when Yeshua says in John 10 that the good shepherd calls his own sheep by name and leads them out, this echoes Numbers chapter 27. This chapter in the Torah describes the transfer of leadership from Moses to Joshua (Yehoshua, which in its shortened form is Yeshua) as Moses was nearing death. Joshua was appointed to shepherd the flock of Israel into the promised land. By alluding to this passage, Yeshua was making a powerful statement to the Pharisees: just as leadership transitioned from Moses to Joshua, a greater transfer of leadership was now taking place with him. He was claiming to be the legitimate leader of Israel, the one with God's spirit upon him, effectively suggesting that the current religious leaders had failed in their mandate. This would have been a direct challenge to their authority and their claim to be the true shepherds of the people who followed Moses.

Fulfillment of Ezekiel's Prophecies: God as Shepherd and the Davidic King

Furthermore, the teaching emphasizes how John's account of Yeshua as the good shepherd draws heavily from the prophecies of Ezekiel, specifically chapters 34 and 37. Ezekiel 34 speaks against the wicked shepherds of Israel who neglected and exploited the flock. God himself declares that he will search for his sheep, rescue them, and bring them back to their own land. Importantly, Ezekiel 34 also prophesies that God will place "one shepherd" over them, his servant David. This prophecy, written during the Babylonian exile long after King David's death, looked forward to a future Davidic king who would righteously shepherd Israel.

Yeshua's claim in John 10 to be the good shepherd was therefore not just a simple metaphor but a declaration that he was fulfilling these very prophecies from Ezekiel. By using this language, Yeshua was identifying himself with both Yahweh, the God who promises to shepherd his people, and the promised Davidic king. This would have been seen as a profound and potentially blasphemous claim by the Pharisees, who understood these Old Testament passages.

The teaching also connects John 10 to Ezekiel 37, the prophecy of the two sticks representing the divided kingdoms of Israel (Ephraim and Judah) being joined together under one king. Yeshua's gathering of twelve disciples is presented as a symbolic act of regathering the twelve tribes of Israel, signifying the reconstitution of the covenantal kingdom through him. He was proclaiming that the exile was ending and God's promises of reunification and restoration were being fulfilled in his person and ministry.

The Pharisees' Reaction and the Significance of Understanding the Old Testament

The response of the Jewish leaders to Yeshua's words in John 10 was one of intense anger, leading them to pick up stones to stone him for blasphemy. Their reaction demonstrates that they understood the implications of his claims and his allusions to the Old Testament scriptures. They recognized that he was positioning himself as the fulfillment of prophecies about God's own shepherding and the coming Davidic king, directly challenging their authority and their understanding of God's plan.

The teaching underscores the importance of understanding the Hebrew Bible to fully appreciate the identity and claims of Yeshua in the New Testament. Without recognizing these "missed connections" to the Old Testament, the depth and significance of passages like John 10 can be overlooked.

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Application for Everyday Life

• Recognize Yeshua as your ultimate authority and leader: Just as Yeshua claimed to be the Good Shepherd and the fulfillment of leadership prophecies, we are called to acknowledge his Lordship in our lives.
• Examine your own leadership and influence: Reflect on whether your actions and motivations are truly for the good of those you have influence over, or if they are driven by self-interest, as Yeshua critiqued the Pharisees.
• Extend grace and mercy to others: Learn from the contrast between Yeshua's compassion for the marginalized (like the blind man) and the Pharisees' judgmental attitude. Avoid creating exclusive groups and instead embrace the diversity within God's flock.
• Be open to God's work in unexpected people and places: Challenge any tendency to judge others based on their background or affiliations, recognizing that God's grace extends beyond our preconceived notions.
• Deepen your understanding of the Old Testament: Recognize that the Old Testament provides crucial context for understanding the New Testament and the identity of Yeshua.
• Reflect on who you look to for guidance and rest: Consider whether you are truly finding your ultimate security and identity in Yeshua, the Good Shepherd.

References

Bible Verses

• Numbers 27:16
• Numbers 27:18
• Luke 24:27
• John 9:13
• John 9:28
• John 9:35
• John 10:1
• Ezekiel 34:1
• Ezekiel 37:1

Books and Resources Mentioned

• Podcasts and books by Professor Michael Heiser: You can find his works by searching for "Michael Heiser" on Amazon. Here is a general search link: Michael Heiser on Amazon

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