Sheep are mentioned frequently in scripture, with over 500 appearances across both the Old and New Testaments. Sheep were an important part of life and culture in ancient Israel. Shepherds had an intimate relationship with their flocks, caring for and protecting the sheep. Sheep held significance in sacrifices and were used as a symbol of God's people, with God portrayed as the shepherd and believers as the flock. Ultimately, Jesus is described as the Lamb of God who was sacrificed for the redemption of mankind. The document explores various aspects of sheep in scripture and the spiritual lessons that can be drawn from their roles and imagery.

1. Sheep in Scripture Laindon Bible Class – 1st September 2010

2. 553 appearances in Scripture 6629‘tson’ appears 274 times meaning flock or sheep 3532‘kebes’ appears 107 times meaning male lamb All 10 Hebrew words appear 483 times 721‘arnion’ appears 30 times meaning lamb(kin) 4263‘probaton’ appears 39 times meaning sheep or sheepfold All 3 Greek words appear 70 times Sheep in scripture 2

3. Our study Characteristics of sheep and their shepherding in Israel Keepers of sheep in the scriptures Mixing of sheep and goats Their role in sacrifices Sheep as a symbol of God’s people The Lamb of God Some lessons for us 3 Sheep in scripture

4. Shepherding in Israel 4 Sheep in scripture

5. Rams horn (shofar) Sheep in scripture 5

6. Fat-tailed sheep Sheep in scripture 6

7. Shepherding in Israel Much more intimate relationship: shepherd lives with the sheep he names them individually the sheep know him and follow him when he calls them he leads his sheep to pasture he cares for them and protects them against wild animals and robbers 7 Sheep in scripture

8. Caring for his sheep Sheep in scripture 8

9. Shepherding in Israel John 10:4-5 4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. 5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. 9 Sheep in scripture

10. Shepherding in Israel Sheep in scripture 10

11. Keepers of sheep Abel the first shepherd (Genesis 4:2) Flocks of sheep represented a measure of wealth Shepherd often the youngest of a family eg David The birth of Christ revealed to the shepherds of Bethlehem (Luke 2:8-18) Sheep in scripture 11

12. Mixing of sheep & goats Sheep in scripture 12

13. Mixing of sheep & goats Sheep & goats often under the care of one shepherd Differences in caring for sheep & goats The comparative uses of sheep & goats Sheep in scripture 13

14. The sacrificial lamb Sheep in scripture 14

15. The sacrificial lamb Sheep were the mainstay of ritual sacrifice The firstborn male the Lord’s (Exodus 13:15) Lamb without spot and blemish Sheep in scripture 15

16. A symbol of God’s people God as the shepherd (first mentioned Genesis 49:24, Psalm 78:52) God’s people as sheep (Psalm 95:7) We are all shepherds as well as sheep (Ezekiel 34) Jesus, the Good Shepherd (John 10:1-18) Sheep in scripture 16

17. The Lamb of God Our need for redemption (Isaiah 53:6-7) “The Lamb slain from the foundation of the world [‘kosmos’]” (Revelation 13:8) Christ the perfect sacrifice (Hebrews 9:11-14) The glorified Lamb of God (Revelation 5:6-14) Sheep in scripture 17

18. Lessons for us We must be as sheep following the bidding of our Lord and Master and submitting to his commands We must care for the flock, putting their welfare first We must give of the best we have in our service to God We must look to the example of the Good Shepherd Sheep in scripture 18