But this morning we’re not going to study Psalm 23:1, the most beautiful Sentence in all the Bible about Jesus being our Shepherd!

Nor are we going to view Jesus as the GOOD Shepherd (John 10:11) or the GREAT Shepherd (Hebrews 13:20) or even the CHIEF Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4)!

We are going (today) to look at Isaiah’s Portrait of Jesus as Shepherd. Here it is: “He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.” Isaiah 40:11

That first verb, “feed,” is spelled “raah” in Hebrew. It means to pasture, to tend, to guard, as well as to graze, to feed!

I am already glad that through the Blood of Jesus I am part of that “flock!” Even if at times it seems to be a “little flock.” (Luke 12:32)

And “gathering” His lambs … essentially “assembling” them … reminds one of the Church Jesus has founded and is building! (Matthew 16:18 and Hebrews 10:25)

But oh, it gets sweeter! Jesus and His lambs … “He carries them in his bosom.” In the enclosure of those Mighty Arms, His Everlasting Arms! (Deuteronomy 33:27)

He’s a “gentle” Leader, too, our Lord is! The verb here, “nahal,” and means “to lead with care, to lead giving appropriate rest time,” and even “to carry” once in the Old Testament.

Looks like also … special care for those who are “with young!” Producing offspring! Helping grow the flock! The words “with young” are derived from a verb meaning “to suckle, to nurse!” I wonder if “soul winners” are in His Mind here? Or those who nurture young believers? Edify them, help them grow in the Lord?

Anyway … a beautiful verse!

“He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.”

What a Shepherd!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Thank you Isaiah for adding to the Portrait!

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We study today an event near the end of Elijah’s earthly life … perhaps when this giant of the faith MOST needed God!

“And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.” 1 Kings 19:12

First came a strong wind! (Back in verse 11.)

Then the fierce earthquake!

Followed by a blistering fire!

But the Lord was not in any of these foregoing things!

Now … the following “manifestation” of God’s Presence is astounding!

I mean that “still small voice!”

Today I suggest that each of us might get “alone” somewhere … with an open Bible, or with a prayerful heart, or maybe just a receptive (humble) spirit …

AND WAIT FOR GOD’S GENTLE HOLY SPIRIT TO MINISTER TO US. TO COMMUNE WITH US!

And more likely than not, if you are especially blessed … you might experience that “still small voice” of God’s direction in your life!

I’ve heard that Voice many a time studying my Bible!

Perhaps even when preaching a Sermon!

And certainly in prayer!

It’s not always in how LOUD things get … God can present Himself silently too!

Wow!

His still small voice!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Can God be in “small” things too?

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What a Ttile!

What a Name?

“The God of all comfort!” (Quoting 2 Corinthians 1:3.)

Most so-called “gods” of Paul’s day were anything but “comforting.”

Vindictive, jealous, thieving, murderous! Those adjectives come to mind, based on Greek and Roman religion.

Has anyone reading here this morning personally experienced God’s “Comfort?” That noun is “paraklesis.”  

It means literally “to come bedside a person” and walk “with” him. “Strengthen” him or her. “Encouragement” is part of that relationship too!

Hallelujah!

But then 1 Corinthians adds more … giving us the purpose (or at least one reason) for God’s amazing Comfort extended to us!

“God Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, THAT we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble.” There it is, 2 Corinthians 1:4.

God comforts us … so we can comfort others (other brothers and sisters in Christ) when they are under duress, stress, “any trouble!”

I love this sequence of thought!

God comforts me so I can comfort someone else.

Let’s get busy!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

By the way, God is such a Comforting Heavenly Father that he has even called Himself the “Comforter!”

This is Jesus’ favorite Name for the Holy Spirit! (John 14:16 and 26. Then again in John 15:26 as well as John 16:7.) “The Comforter!”Sounds so beautiful!

Wow!

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Our next new Lesson will be written and published here Monday Morning, the Lord willing.

Meanwhile, you can watch our video Bible Study tonight on YouTube or Facebook. We call them our “Evening Meditations” …

Dr. Mike Bagwell

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Isaiah 28:16 promises the first coming of Jesus the Messiah, some day. And the Prophet penned those words around seven hundred years prior to the Virgin Birth of our Lord!

“Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.”

Jesus the (chief) Corner Stone, the very Foundation of His Church! “Precious” and “Sure!”

Then the Line that has captured my attention this morning. “He that believeth shall not make haste.”

Interestingly, the Hebrew word for “believe” is here spelled “aman!” It means “to trust, to stand fast.” Two or three times it is (in our King James Bibles) translated “to nurse,” or “to be nursed!”

As in … LET THIS VERSE, THIS PROPHECY, HEAL YOU! NOURISH YOU! WARM YOU AND CUDDLE YOU!

And just as Jesus has come exactly as depicted by this great prophecy … though centuries later … so will all the other promises, prophecies of the Bible be fulfilled as well.

Even if also … “centuries later!”

But we who believe should not “make haste,” in Hebrew “chush.” We should not (in other words) get impatient, doubt, be frustrated!

Just wait on the Lord!

Not a lazy waiting, but an “occupy until I come” sort of waiting! (Quoting Luke 19:13.)

In other words, lots of Christians in America (for obvious reasons) these days are saying “Jesus is coming soon.”

And He well may be.

I wouldn’t doubt that fact for a second.

But also … “He that believeth shall not make haste.” If Jesus does not return to get us for decades … we are to keep on believing!

Peacefully rest in His Promise … “I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” John 14:2-3

Tomorrow … or next century … without fretfulness … we are look for Him (His Second Coming) every day!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Resting in, patiently waiting on … the dear Lord, Isaiah 40:31.

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