Daily Devotions
My Song In The Night (Gospel of John)
我夜间的歌曲 (约翰福音）
Modern Day Sheep Farming
Text: John 10: 5
MODERN DAY SHEEP FARMING
The relationship between a shepherd and his sheep is a difficult one for the modern mind to comprehend. Modern sheep farming is essentially commercial.
1. Sheep owners in modern times
a. They may have little interest in the sheep.
b. They hire shepherds to look after their sheep.
c. Sheep are bred for just two things:
i. For their wool
ii. For their flesh
2. Shepherds in modern times
a. Shepherding is just a job.
b. They may not feel a need or desire to know the sheep.
c. Sheep do not need to journey to find new pastures for food is easily available.
SHEEP-REARING IN ANCIENT DAYS
Looking after sheep well in ancient times was almost like a vocation. Shepherds hope they would have sons who would take over their flocks. The patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were all sheep farmers. King David was a shepherd before God called him and anointed him as the king of Israel.
THE VOICE OF A STRANGER
There would always be thieves and robbers who would try and steal sheep. They do not always succeed.
“Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”
John 10:5
1. These thieves and robbers will try and climb over the walls but they may be caught out.
2. They will try and imitate the voice of the shepherd to lure the sheep out.
3. But the sheep would not respond.
a. They will not follow a stranger.
b. They will flee from him.
c. They do not recognize his voice.
d. The relationship established between the shepherd and his sheep would keep them safe.
e. Sheep are not to be easily dismissed as being “stupid”.
f. They will respond only to the voice of their beloved shepherd whom they trust fully.
经文：约翰福音10：5
现代的牧羊
牧人与羊群之间的关系，对现代人来说是很难理解的。现代牧羊十分商业化。
1. 现今羊群的主人
a. 他们对羊群的兴趣不大
b. 他们常会聘请牧人照顾自己的羊群
c. 牧羊只为了以下两件事：
i. 得到羊毛
ii. 得到羊肉
2. 现今的牧人
a. 牧羊只不过是一份工作
b. 他们感到不需要，也不渴望去认识羊群
c. 羊群也不必到处找寻新的青草地，因为食物并不短缺
古时的牧羊
古时候的牧人几乎把好好看护羊群视为富使命感的职业。牧人希望自己能有男丁继承他们的羊群。先祖亚伯拉罕、以撒和雅各都是牧羊人。在上帝呼召和膏大卫为以色列王之前，他也是牧羊人。
陌生人的声音
古时候，经常会有贼和强盗，尝试来羊圈里偷羊。他们不是每次都成功。
“羊不跟着生人，因为不认得他的声音，必要逃跑。”
《约翰福音10：5》