The Pulpit Commentary — Isaiah — Volume 2 — Section 70

Ver. 11.-God the Sl,epherd of his p«Jpk. This favourite imago is" full of figures and analogies of loving-kindness. It is almost sacramental in its depth and power." To exhaust its meaning is impossible; to draw out all that it implies is hopeless; even to make it the subject of comment may seem almost impertinent. Still, in an exegetical work, ~ome co=ent must be made upon a passage at once so characteristic and eo powerful ; some attempt at exposition must be attached to the declaration of a truth eo precious. Six things would seem, then, to be especially involved in the declaration. I. GoD LOVES ms FLOCK. Love is at the root of even an earthly shepherd's care for his flock, if he is a true shepherd, and not a mercenary hireling. Without love, there may he ea.re, but it will not be tender care; there may be guardianship, but it will not be incessant, unwearied, jealous guardianship. The heavenly Shepherd loves the sheep of his flock v.ith a deep, true, patient, and abounding love, surpassing far the utmost affec- tion whereof man is capable, surpassing even the utmost conception that man can form of love. His flock is his own creation, his own reflected image, his own purchased possession. His desire is toward it (Cant. vii. 10). He loves it with a love which "many waters cannot quench, neither can the floods drown" (Cant. viii. 7). II. GoD cAnEs FOR ms FLOOK. It is God's care for his flock on which Isaiah especially insists both in "l'er. 11 and eh. xlix. 9, 10. He "gathers the lambs with his arm, carries them in his bosom, and gently leads those that suckle their young." He gives them "pastures in all high places," suffers "neither the heat nor sun to smite them, and leads them by the springs of water." The most tender care, the most solicitous vigi- lance, is implied in all that is told us of his treatment of his flock, so that we may well say, that "all love, care, providence, devotion, watchfulness, that is in earth or in heaven, in the ministry of men or of angels, is but a reflection and participation of that which is thus seen to be in him" (Manning). IIL Gon G=Es HIS FLOCK. The Oriental shepherd goes in front of his sheep; and so God is represented as going (Ps. lx.xviii. 52; eh. xlix. 10; John x. 3). He points out to them the way wherein they should walk, and leads them in it. By the inner light of conscience, "which lighteth every man that cometh into the world," and by the outward light of revelation, which shines on many, he directs their paths. By the secret motions and influences of hie Spirit he keeps them, for the most part, in the right way, and suffers them not to depart from it. IV. GoD GUAllDI! HIS FLOCK. God's flock has enemies as powerful and as dangerous as the flock of any earthly shepherd. Many a wolf in sheep's clothing seeks to devour it; one lion, at any rate, is ever walking round the fold, longing and hoping for prey. But God is always on the watch against these enemies, baffling their attacks, defeating their designs, causing them to fall into their own snares. True, he cannot effectually guard all, if they will not listen to him, will not obey his commands, will rush madly into danger. But he is a sure Defence to such as "hear hie voice" and follow his direc- tions. No wolf can snatch his faithful ones out of his hand; no lion can hurt them, nor any roaring beast. God guards them night and day. "He that keepeth Israel sl u ru bers not nor sleeps." V. GoD FEEDS HIB FLOCK. God is said to " lead his flock into green pastures " (Ps. xxiii. 2), to "feed them in a good pasture, a fat pasture" (Ezek. xxxiv. 14). Our Lord declares himself" the Bread of life" (John vi. 48)-the "living Bread which came down from heaven," whereof "if any man eat, he shall live for ever" (John vi. 61). God feeds his flock upon his Word, upon his faithful promises, upon himself received sacramentally. He feeds them himself, and he commands the shepherds under him, with emphatic iteration, to feed them (John xxi. 15-17). He gives them "angels' food" to be the sustentation and support of their souls; "bread of immortality" to be their life here and hereafter; precioUB manna, far beyond that which he gave to his people in the wilderness, sweet at once and satisfying. "Lord, evermore give us this bread" (John vi. 34). VI. Gon SEEKS AND BAVES THE WANDERERS OF HIS FLOOK. Isaiah tells us that God "gathers the lambs with his arm" (ver. 11). Our Lord, describing the good human shepherd, tells us that if he have an hundred sheep, and lose one of them, he straight way "leaves the ninety and nine in the wildemees, and goes after that which is lost, until he find it; and when he hath found it, he laycth it on his shoulders, rejoicing" (Luke xv. 4, 5). The Son of man came "to seek and to save that which was lost' en. XL. 1-31.J 'l'HE BOOK OF THE PROPHET ISAIAH. 73