MESSIAH- THE CORNERSTONE

MESSIAH- THE CORNERSTONE

“So, Solomon built the house and finished it (I kings 10:14)

The Lords temple was a house declared Solomon in his dedication prayer. I have surely built thee, and house to dwell in a settled place for thee to abide in forever (I kings 8:13). And Solomon received immediate response from the Lord for his prayer. God answered “I have heard thy prayer and thy supplication that thou hast made before me. I have hallowed this house which thou hast build to put my name there forever and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually” (I kings 9:3).

God Almighty hallowed that temple as the sacred one on earth. It was not a house for men but to the Lord God. That was the only house in which God wished to live a money house in which God wished to live among his people. According to his promise to Solomon the location of the place for the temple would continue as the eternal place of God’s name and focus of his eyes and heart. In the words of God king David was a spiritual giants. David wrote more than seventy psalms and what all he wrote were devoted to his life and exploits. It we steady the Bible carefully, we can find half of the books have mentioned the name of David. The Lord also amazingly described David as of a man after his own heart. (I Samuel 13:14).

In spite of all his short comings and sin David loved God with all his humility out of his abundant love towards God. He revealed his heart for the house of the Lord and for the footstool of our God. David in his heart of hearts possessed the burning passion for the temple and for mount Zion. God understood the mind of David and will please I his heart. He had great thirst to worship the Lord in his house. He said “one thing I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life”.

David exhibited his strong desire in the psalms. He said “lord I have loved the habitation of thy house and also the zeal of thin house hath eaten me up”. His governments utmost priority was to construct a permanent building

141

Messiah - The Cornerstone for God’s temple. And he wished to start the work as soon as he would be able to put his kingdom in safe and secure. He passionately desired and searched for the exact to location of the site of the temple. This was recorded forever in the liturgy assent psalms.

“Lord remembers David and all his afflictions. How he swear unto the Lord and vowed unto the mighty God of Jacob. Surely I will not come into the tabernacle of my house not go up into my bed, I will not give sleep to mine eyes or slumber to mine eyelids. Until I find out a place for the Lord a habitation for the mighty God of Jacob (psalm 32:1-5).

King David know the fact that the location of the temple would be somewhere on the mount Moriah so, with that confidence he brought the Ark of the Covenant to Zion to wait for God’s revelation. David actually made extensive preparations for the construction of the temple. He collected enough funds purchased the required materials. Big stones were cut for the walls. Laborers were planned. Even the priesthood arrangements were made from the Levites. But all those steps David had taken become futile because one day the prophet of God came to him and cleared that David would not build the holy temple of God.

He was a man of war and shed so much blood in the battle and killed many people so, God permitted David only to make necessary preparations, especially procuring the material for building the temple and for the construction of the temple God preferred David’s son Solomon only. Solomon means “peace” therefore according to the prophesy David entrusted the task of constructing Gods temple to Solomon and he whole heartedly accepted that. Then David gave his final address to the nation and all Israel extended their full support for building the temple.

The people responded to David with their hearts. His government leaders and others liberal contributed abundantly their gold and silver to the temple work. And finally David’s deathbed request of the Lord was that he should empower Solomon to build the temple, of Israel. David was consumed by his

142

The Redemption Plan of God fiery zeal for the house of the Lord. It seemed some people had presented some models of the temple. But those models appeared to be contrary to the historical records of the scripture.

The design of the temple was neither of David nor of Solomon. It was not a Phoenician architects remake of the tabernacle. It was not even an Israelite version of a Phoenician temple. It was not a model born from Jewish culture.

But the Lord Himself designed his house, and David received that model by a special revelation from the spirit of the Lord (I chronicles 28:11-12). The hand of the Lord came upon David to create the written blue print and to understand the technical details. The design was received with full details including the amounts of gold and silver to be used for each vessel. That is to say the plan included the layout of the courts, the chambers the divisions of priests and the Levites and additional furniture. King Solomon for his temple followed the general design of the wilderness Tabernacle prototype.

It had only two rooms with similar furniture and it was surrounded by a courtyard. In spite of the wonderful plan of God and procurement of everything, there arose some problems. First, the temple was enormous in size, because it had to accommodate a large number of people that come from all over the nation on certain occasions. Secondly, the temple was a permanent structure of timber and stones in the midst of a geographical country instead of a mobile temple like forty years as sojourners in the wilderness. Any way King Solomon continued his preparations during the first three years of his reign.

In order to set right the site, Solomon filed up the uneven valleys with earth and made the flat even on the top of money Zion on which the temple had to be built. We may find some more authentic information from the works of flavies Josephus (Antiquities of the Jews 8:3-9).

And finally construction of the temple began in the spring of 967 B.C. by that time it was about 480 years that the children of Israel came to their Promised Land Canaan from Egypt with constant effort. Solomon’s temple could be completed in seven and half years time, in the fall of 960 B.C. anyhow God’s

143

Messiah - The Cornerstone temple was constructed and completed with the moral support of Phoenician king Hiram, who was a close friend of Solomon. That old Phoenicia was modern Lebanon. The country happened to supply labor, fine cedar fir and Algum wood to the temple. Solomon contracted expert Phoenician crafts men to carve timbers and fashion all the other items of the temple. All the necessary items were supplied to Solomon, for Israel’s wheat, barley, oil, olives wine and figs and also for copper from Solomon’s mines in Ezion Geber near the northern most point of the “red sea”.

The Phoenicians were expert’s on the sea activities. So instead of having the wood a hundred miles over the land the logs were made into rafts and floated down the Mediterranean Sea coast from Lebanon then the wood was received at the Israelis sea port of “Jaffa” and transported to Jerusalem; which was away thirty miles about from the seaport. The construction was done mostly with Israeli workers.

As Solomon required more laborers’ for the nature of construction, he created more workforce of 1, 83,300 Israeli laborers’ from then 30,000 were entrusted with some work in Lebanon 70,000 as transporters 80,000 as stone movers and the remaining 3,300 as over all supervisors all the workers maintained great revenue in their work and also the workers guarded the sanctity of the temple while working.

King Solomon spent huge amount and costly material. The items were like stone wood, precious materials, and costly rubies and gem stones. It required years to gather all those items in the ancient world. Scripture testifies that David prepared abundantly before his death and on his death bed he bore witness of his heart.

He said “I have prepared with all my might for the house of my God, the gold things to be made of gold, and the silver for things of silver and brass for the things of brass, the iron for things of iron and wood for the things of wood. Onyx stones, and stones to be set glistening stones and of dives colors and all manner of precious stones and marbles, stones in abundance”. (I chronicle 29:2)

144

The Redemption Plan of God

These precious and costly stones were wonderfully decorated in the temple and later king Herod followed the same patron. When he renovated the second temple. Lebanese cedar was the main wood used in the temple. In the sermons of the holy temple cedar wood was used to treat leprosy. It was also used to the sacrifice of red heifer. This cedar wood has its own importance in the Bible and so this wood ‘cedar’ was used about 75 times in the Bible.

In addition to cedar some other costly wood was also used. The “fir” wood probably cypress or Jumper wood was imported from Lebanon. It was used for the main doors the ceiling panels, and for the floor of holy places the neat wood was ‘Algum’ a highly designed wood. This was also imported from Lebanon and from ‘ophir’ some people identified this ‘ophir’ that it is located somewhere in southern Arabian Peninsula and some other believed that it is in India only.

This algum is beautiful dark red sandalwood. It was used for stepped terraces and for the temple harps and lyzs like musical instruments. Then the next one was olive wood with its wonderful dark and light shade that was used for the doors of the holy of holies and for the pasts of main doors. The temple was decorated with gold, silver and variety of precious stones. The interior of the building was completely covered with gold. Huge quenelles of colored stones and marbles were used. Immeasurable quantity of silver was used for temple utensils, lamps, stands, tables and vessels.

The construction value of the temple was really amazing. Huge quantity of gold and silver, used for the temple came from four sources. They were the treasures of the Tabernacle the donations received from people, then King David’s personal collection and from his government leaders. The roughly estimated cost of the precious metals like gold and silver were about 218 billion dollars. Solomon spent very lavishly for God’s house. “The sanctum sanctorum” or holy of holies alone was overlaid with an incredible 600 talents (22 ½ tons) of pure gold (II chronicle 3:8).

145

Messiah - The Cornerstone

The temple was considered to be the most expensive building per square foot in the history of the world. The two room building cost went up to more than 61 million dollars per square foot. that cost was only for gold and silver used there but the cost of massive bronze, iron cedar, Fir olivewood, ophir precious stones quarried lime-stones, marbles, granites and tapsters were not include in that amount and also the labor charges for seven and half years the transportation of different items, the storage and the cost of the real estate (the land David possessed on mount Zion) were not included in that total cost.

So all these items and their in the temple was astonishing. David testified and wished that God’s house had to be exceedingly great in magnificence, fame and splendor before the eyes of all nations (I chronicles 22:5). Solomon took it for granted that the temple reflected the incomparable greatness of God. “and the house which I built is great for great is our God above all Gods”. He felt the house was to be a testimony to the world that all the people of the world may know that the Lord is God and there is none else”.

Thus saith the Lord, “The heaven is my throne and the earth is my footstool” where is the house that ye build into me and where is the place of my rest? For all these things had mine handmade and all those things have been faith the Lord feet to this man will I look even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit and trembled at my word (Isaiah 66:1-2). So God is looking for men to trust him.

Solomon’s temple was built on a bed rock foundation. As recorded in scripture in the fourth year was the foundation of the house of the Lord laid” (I king 6:37). The foundation rested on the trusting floor which David purchased on Mount Zion (II chronicles 3:1). Then the temple was constructed with heavy lime-stone blocks instead of modern conceit brick and mortar these stones became very costly because of this and different to carry enormous size. He is said many of them were about fifteen feet and even more in length. (I king 7:10). And they were weighted far more than the largest stone of the pyramids in Egypt.

146

The Redemption Plan of God

The cornerstone – among all the stones used for the walls the cornerstone was the most precious one it was a massive and critical stone in the temple in Hebrew language it was called “head of the corner”(Rosh pinah). The Hebrew word for ‘head is ‘Rosh’ he same word often translated as chief and indicates that the cornerstone was the primary or must significant stone. It is a foundation cornerstone most critical and important of the entire building. It would be laid first at the corner and in the foundation course. All the other stones were built upon that and aligned with the cornerstone. As a matter of fact, it would be the key (key) to the stability and symmetry of the whole building.

The Lord liked the Messiah to the cornerstone. Behold I lay in Zion force foundation stone a tried stone a precious cornerstone a sure foundation he that believeth shall not make haste (Isaiah 28:16). The message little is not surprising because the future temple will be built by messiah himself. And it shall be the seat of his government but the person and work of the messiah is the spiritual cornerstone upon which Gods entire eternal kingdom is built. The rabbis recognized the messianic nature of Isaiah’s prophecy. Rosh Israel’s great medieval scholar paraphrased this verse “ I have set up the king Messiah who shall be in Zion as a fortress stone an expression of a fortunes and strength” ‘Rosh pinah’ (head of the corner) is also name of a small Galilee town near the city of “safed”.

The name of that village preserves the rabbi’s tradition that at the end of age the messiah will appear in Galilee. As the rabbis died the New Testament writers and redoes also recognized the Messianic nature of Isaiah’s prophecy. Apostle Paul taught that the household of God (Jewish and gentle believers of God) is built as a spiritual temple upon the messiah as the chief cornerstone.

It seems the prophecy of prophet Isaiah about the Messiah contained some basic and hidden truth let us examine his prophetic words.

1)The messianic cornerstone will be brought by the Lord but not by man.

This truth is a parallel to the prophet Daniel who called Messiah the stone

cut of the mountain without hands.(that is by God .Daniel 2:45).

2)The cornerstone will rule the kingdom from Zion.

147

Messiah - The Cornerstone

3)The Lord’s cornerstone is the only basis for three securities. He is a stone

very strong and everlasting. He is a tried stone tested and fit to be the

foundation. He is a precious corner stone very costly one and it can support

the entire structure of the building. He is a sure and strong foundation,

solid and immovable.

4)The Lord’s cornerstone is the true standard of measurement. Those who

trust in Him will go into the Messianic kingdom and they will be never

taken away by God’s judgment Justice and righteousness.

These are the salient and central attributes to Messianic kingdom. Gods coming judgment will sweep away (like violent tempest0 and overflow (like a raging flood) anyone who is not resting on Gods cornerstone. This cornerstone prophecy is found in “Hallel” psalms (psalms 113-118). ‘Hallel’ is the Hebrew word for “praise” and describes this group of praise psalms. The psalmist prophesied. “The stone which the builders refused has become it corner stone of the corner (psalm 118:22). People sang this memorable Messene psalm when he entered Jerusalem temple. “Save now” (Hosanna) blessed be he (son of David, messiah king of Israel) cometh in the name of the Lord.

This particular psalm was prophesied said that Messiah could be rejected first by the believers (Israel’s religions leaders) but in future. He would become the cornerstone. This piece of information reflects two aspects of the Messianic Mission. They are rejection and exaltation. As mentioned in the prophecy God is making people to become in that manner. The Messiah was rejected by the people in his first coming so that he could become God’s ‘sin’ offering. And the result of that was he could be called and became headstone of the corner. And then in his second coming. He would rule forever by sitting on David’s throne.

Jesus after His second coming would become the cornerstone upon which the entire Messianic kingdom shall be built Jesus was bluntly rejected in His first coming accordingly to the Hebrew prophet people at that time thought that the Messiah as a cornerstone and king would provide them political deliverance from the roman rule. They did not understand that he came only for spiritual

148

The Redemption Plan of God deliverance. After His second coming He will establish His kingdom in future. Then the believers will shout this is the day which the Lord hath made, we will rejoice and be glad in it” (psalms 118:24).

This present situation is the climate of human history as the messiah might arrive at any moment. He will bring His eternal kingdom; of justice and righteousness the believers have the rejected stone as the corner stone. They will cry from the temple “save us now” blessed be He that cometh in the name of the Lord”. (Psalms 118:25-26).

The Hebrew prophets also prophesied that all people will not enter the kingdom of the Messiah. The redeemer will come to Zion and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob. The measuring line of justice of God and plumb line of righteousness are completely based upon the cornerstone. Therefore, those who trust in Him the cornerstone shall be his sanctuary but to those who reject Him, the cornerstone will be a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence. The wicked will stumble and fall with broken heart. And what apostle peter testified about Jesus in the following woods is most appropriate “this is the stone…we must be saved” (Acts 1:11-12) the conclusion is that salvation is found only in the Lords cornerstone”.

149 CHAPTER : 15

THE IMPORTANCE OF PSALM 23

The women of Israel were in the habit of coming out of their houses and welcome the soldiers whenever they came victorious from the battle field. They got such occasion during the reign of king Saul. They commented at that time that Saul hath slain thousands and David his ten thousands (1 Samuel 18:7). It is undoubtedly an exaggeration or hyperbol about David as a warrior at that time. Anyway the comment of those women hit hard at the ego or pride of king Saul. And by that time David as a shepherd boy already killed a giant of philistines whose height was about 9 feet 6 inches, with the help of a sling and pebble. This incident particularly added fear in the mind of king Saul.

In his early days, David was appointed as a musician in the palace of king Saul to provide him music whenever he was in restless condition. The courageous nature and wonderful music gave a good impression upon king Saul and at one stage he even thought of giving his daughter in marriage to young and handsome David. At the same time, Saul felt jealous of David for his courage and even afraid of him. He was planning to kill David. If not he might cause some problem to his throne. David understood the crooked nature of the king. He thought it was not safe for him to remain in the palace. With that decision David fled from the presence of the king and his soldiers to the springs at “En Gedi” wilderness for his safety. According to historical information this place is also called Judean wilderness, which is near the “Dead Sea” and “Cumran caves.” It is a place with beautiful oasis and springs of fresh water and a number of caves for the people to hide. In that place David could have plenty of food fresh water and caves to hide himself from the danger of kind Saul.

Even then the king somehow came to know the whereabouts of David and planned to go to “En Gedi” to attack and kill David. He went to the place with 3000 soldiers with their shields swords and helmets. There is no doubt David selected a very good place for his security. It is really impossible for anybody to locate him but he would be able to find any enemy from his hiding place. The

150

The Redemption Plan of God soldiers started searching for him in the bushes. But, he knew fully well if the soldiers found him to his bad luck that is an end of him. At that moment, anybody would have understood David by looking at his pathetic face.

In such helpless conditions David happened to look down at the slopes. He saw a flock of sheep peacefully grazing and the shepherd was watching his sheep as a protector. This incident of sheep and shepherd changed his attitude. If anybody looked at his face at that time would have found that sudden change in him. There was no more fear in him. Now, he became so courageous to face any kind of danger or untoward occurrance as he already decided in his mind. Even a glimmer of smile could be seen in his rugged handsome face. It came to his mind for awhile the yesteryears experiences as a shepherd boy how he shepherded his fathers sheep and his faithfulness towards his family members as a last son and his faithfulness towards the innocent sheep.

The picture of shepherd and sheep gave him indelible impression. He began to speak something and words came to him spontaneously and almost effortlessly. They came from his inner core of his heart. They came as if he was whispering with someone. He was surprised himself at his own sudden change and finally said, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” (Psalm 23:1). If any city dweller or educated one gets this kind of wise thought we could not have felt much about it. But, a shepherd like David getting divine expression we cannot but appreciate him because God was with him and God was speaking through him.

As a matter of fact, he knew all about the sheep. He knew all about a faithful shepherd how he should be. At that time, how much discouragement he must have felt at one stage one can understand. The Bible did not give any special significance to the 23 chapter of Psalms. But the situation under which David remained in “En gedi” wilderness must have prompted him to speak such words with the God’s Holy Spirit. Because of the inner meaning and its importance every Bible reader and even Sunday school kids will certainly get this 23 chapter recited. It is as important as Lord’s prayer. So we can consider this most important of all Psalms. Actually, this chapter in the Bible starts with a

151

The Importance Of Psalm 23 surprising and affirmative expression “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” It is an expression of great meaning and profound thought. On one hand we say Lord is my shepherd and on the other we say we are the shepherd’s sheep. In this wonderful compliment if the first one is true automatically the second part is also true. Both are interlinked with their meaning. If you say the Lord is my shepherd this saying clearly indicates that you are completely dependent on the shepherd for anything and everything.

The sheep symbolizes innocence and helplessness and it appears to be a dependent on others. Even Jesus Christ was called the Lamb of God the sacrificial lamb for the sins of the world. As an harmless creature it cannot bite anybody or any other animal. It cannot run fast at the time of any danger like other animals. It cannot make holes like a some other animals. It does not have venom with which it can poison the body of other animals or human beings who tried to harm it. It has no horns to buck. Therefore, the animal sheep is not only defenseless but also a dumb creature. It does not know when it shall be killed. It always depends upon its master the shepherd for its survival.

So the moment a person acknowledges the Lord as his shepherd he must also acknowledge his own frailty and his dependence on the shepherd. Once we accept God as our shepherd there is no scope for any ego or self pride in us because we are completely depending upon God. The Psalm continues with confidence and assurance. “I shall not want” these four words speak about the truth of the opening statement of Psalms. If a man or a woman says these words the Lord is my shepherd and I am his sheep then it must be said I shall not want anything. Such a person can have an absolute and perfect provision from God and with that gift either he or she can live the rest of life in peace and harmony. There is a promise from our everlasting father God that He would provide all necessary things to His children.

If we go on looking into this analogy of shepherd and sheep continuously the remaining part of the psalm is nothing but a commentary on the glorious truth that is the Lord is my shepherd and I shall not want. “He maketh me to lie down in green postures” – in these words we find how God as a shepherd

152

The Redemption Plan of God directing His sheep. The nation of Israel has been landscaped by the creator with almost endless hills and valleys surrounded by lush green fields and at the same time with barren lands. The sheep while grazing at the fertile lands and if the shepherd happened to neglect his watch then there is every possibility of the sheep to slip into the adjacent desert land and finally die without grass to eat and water.

The wise shepherd thinks it necessary to make his sheep lie down only in the grassy fields so that they can be safe and secure. In that green postures the sheep would naturally find the chances of survival and good strength to their life’s journey. In the same way many times the child of God wander aimlessly in the barren deserts of this material world by forgetting its master only to experience suffering and at last die helplessly. This kind of experiences are a setback to our faithful shepherd. He wants that His sheep should lie always in green postures only so that they can be happy and healthy. The shepherd knows what He should do to His sheep as a true master. He leadeth me beside the still waters – these words show how God wants to protect His sheep from all difficulties. The sheep is a poor swimmer and cannot protect itself from the danger of fast moving water. The narrow ravines of Israel nation would become torrential during the spring season. In such condition if the innocent sheep are allowed to go to the rapid current of water to quench their thrust they may be caught up in that flow of water and while going with water desperately they may dash against a rock or carry down to the lower part of the stream. A wise shepherd who takes care of his sheep will try to find out the rocks that block the flow of water to some extent and also the places of stagnated water for his sheep. They drink that water peacefully without any disturbance. In the same way sometimes we as children of God are attacked by the fast moving things and pleasures in this world like fasting moving water with no awareness of hidden rocks that try to block our progress by the treacherous current of water. But our shepherd (God) will take us to the safe side of still water and guide us to drink fresh water at such calm places. The water that the Lord gives us is life sustaining and He alone can provide that kind of life saving water to His children.

153

The Importance Of Psalm 23

“He restoreth my soul” – David can be called the versatile genius among the Biblical writers like Moses of the old testament apostles of the new testament. He was a shepherd, a poet, a king and a wonderful musician. He was also called a sweet Psalmist among Israelites. He knew from his personal experience that the sheep used to be anxious and fearful. They can even sense the approaching danger. At times, the shepherd may have to sing some songs or produce some music with some instrument as Amos prophet did for his sheep. We have some shepherds in the Bible who came to lime light in their life time. They even became great prophets. Among such shepherds the first one was ofcourse Mechezidic grandson of Canaan and the great grandson of Noah. He was the first high priest who later became king of Salem (Geniuses 14:18). He was the founder of the present Jerusalem and it was he who named the land of milk and honey as Canaan. The next shepherd was Moses who became the servant of God and led the Israelites from the bondage in Egypt to the promised land of Canaan for forty years. The third person was David who rose himself from the stage of shepherd to the stage of king of Israelites.

The next one was “Amos” a rustic shepherd and God used him by sending to “Bethel” to set right the ungrateful and wicked Israelites. The shepherd gives comfort and restores the perturbed souls of the sheep whenever they are in danger. Along with the voice of God it is good to have the light of day and in the same way it is wonderful to hear music in the night. “He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name sake” we can find in these words the divine reputation. It is good to know that every shepherd had a positive reputation and he must defend that under all conditions and David knew about that better than many other shepherds regarding good reputation. As a shepherd boy David happened to protect his sheep on two occasions. The first one was when a lion attacked his sheep and secondly when a bear attacked them (1 Samuel 17 : 34 –

154

The Redemption Plan of God would remember him. For that reason in the context of a shepherd and sheep the Lord declared, “And I give unto them eternal life and they shall never perish neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand” and again “I am the good shepherd, the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep” (John 10:28 and 10:10)

If we think about this deeply and if we find any sheep perished in the past centuries it was only a total failure on the part of a shepherd. In such a positions the other shepherds would not entrust their sheep to his care. But our Almighty God leads His sheep in the path of righteousness for the sake of His name. And His reputation is on the point of increase from time to time what a wonderful comfort God could give to the troubled souls? When they were in calamities. So a true shepherd should be always alert with the presence of mind even in the troubled and dangerous places for the sake of his innocent sheep. “Yea though I walk through the valley of shadow of death I will fear no evil thou art with me.” We find calmness and confidence in the midst of storm. In this context those words do not speak of death as some other writers might suggest commonly. Any writer who writes with divine inspiration or with Holy Spirit does not point out death till he reaches the last part of the Psalm. But the story of sheep and shepherd is continued with their description. The meaning of the shadow of death is literally the valley of deep darkness. It is a narrow deep ravine through which the sheep has to pass. It is no doubt a place of great danger.

If the sheep cannot move in the narrow plains with more care there is every possibility of being attacked by any wild animal. But David inspite of his anticipating danger for his sheep from wild animals. “He said I will fear no evil.” There is good reason for David to feel comforted even in such risky situation. Thy rod and thy staff they comforted me – in these words we find strong protection. If any wild animal by chance attacks the sheep the faithful shepherd even at the cost of his life will try to protect them. The shepherd will have a long and strong stick in his hand to guard the sheep. That is the only weapon by which he will have to protect his sheep. Even the young shepherd Melchezidic

155

The Importance Of Psalm 23 who later became the high priest had his shepherd stick with him for some years and gave that stick to Abraham when he met him while returning from the battle field. If any sheep has fallen in a ditch by mistake he will try all means to get it out of the place. “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies.” Generally deep valleys filled with trees and thick bushes are dangerous to the sheep because some wild animals will hide in such places to catch their prey. Therefore, slope valleys with bushes and big rocks are always dangerous to innocent sheep. And also the shepherd should cast an eye on such places for the sake of his sheep. The shepherd uses some language to call his sheep and they would understand the language and the master. The sheep can know their master by listening to his tone and follow him.

While the sheep is enjoying in grazing and drinking water the shepherd will be watching them from a distance. If any sheep is missing or lagging behind due to sickness or wound the shepherd would leave the entire flock and go in search of the missed one and when he finds it he will carry it on his shoulders happily. That is the real love and affection of the shepherd towards his sheep. By keeping this example in our minds let us question ourselves as how many of us could have the gift of spiritual experience from our Lord God and shepherd Jesus Christ inspite of hindrances or hardships in our day to day life.

“Thou anointest my head with oil” this is the reference of the balm of Gelead (Jeremiah 8:22). The shepherds often carry a cruse of oil as a healing agent. If any sheep is wounded by means of rocks or wild animals immediately the shepherd will use that oil and the wound as first aid and provide some relief to them. The oil works on the wounds of the animals like a medicine and emergency substitute. So to say the shepherd also acts as emergency doctor to his sheep. In the same manner our God also at times heals His sheep with the Holy Spirit. In this reference David reflects on God’s wonderful provision and so he proclaims “My cup runneth over” – here we see how David accepted the abundant gift of life provided by God the life saving water given by Him. In his Israel nation there are only three sources of water. They are a Cistern, a well and running water that flows from a narrow gully or stream bed which fills water

156

The Redemption Plan of God within the rainy season but remains dry at other times and during the dry season the shepherds had to go with their sheep to a nearby well and draw water and fill the buckets with that water. When the sheep dip their heads in the water it overflows the containers. The picture appears to be an imaginary intended by God in His statement “I am come that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10)

The Psalmist clearly pointed out who complained anything about life. He said “In all the days of my life security goodness and mercy shall flow all the days of my life” – in these words we find unlimited blessings from God – whenever we read these words it appears as if these elves are following us behind. They are security goodness and mercy. According to the meaning of the Psalmist David there is no doubt in both God’s goodness and mercy. He said, “They will follow me all the days of my life” as David wished. He wrote “as per the statement there is no promise of an easy life power, fame, name, wealth, etc.” But above all there is something greater than the above said things and that is the presence of “God’s goodness and God’s mercy.” And we wish these gifts must continue throughout our life. As far as our life is concerned there are no other gifts more valuable than “God’s goodness and God’s mercy” towards us. David now turned to think about eternal life – and I dwell in the house of the Lord forever. We find in these words the acknowledgement of eternal life and also the reference of death.

The Lord is my shepherd – I shall not want – I am his sheep – in this life His goodness and mercy shall follow me and in the life to come I shall live in God’s house forever. In this context we can find the abundant faith of David on God and his confidence regarding the next life. In this connection, I would like to mention a wonderful story of a village boy. A teenage boy one day left his house from a small village in Scotland. He went in search of some livelihood and finally stood on his own legs for his future life as an actor. Luck was in his favor and God blessed him. Within a few years he became a topmost actor of the dramas of the world famous dramatist William Shakespeare. And he reached the pinnacle as an actor. After he became very popular as an actor of Shakespearian dramas he wished to visit his native village to see his relatives and friends with

157

The Importance Of Psalm 23 the status of a famous actor. His visiting of that insignificant village is a memorable experience to the villagers and more exciting to his community. The villagers even felt proud of themselves because that small village could produce the famous actor. So in memory of his name and fame a grand party was arranged. They enjoyed the party to their hears content.

Then he prayed to God in gratitude he recollected his past life in that village. While doing so somebody came from the gathering and made a proposal that a contest must be conducted. It is also proposed that the contestants would be only two the famous actor and local pastor. The importance of the contest is that both the participants have to quote some lines from the dramas of Shakespeare. The elder pastor expressed his inability and said that he did not remember anything of William Shakespeare. But added he would remember still the 23 chapter of Psalms that he read when he was attending Sunday school classes as a boy even long before the honored guest memorized that while attending the Sunday school classes. And finally it was decided both should recite the Psalm 23rd chapter.

The elder pastor started first and very slowly he recited the Psalm. The audience listened to him attentively and nodded their heads in the acceptance. Next was the actors turn. The honored guest quoted the entire Psalm with good expression, perfect gesture masterful inflection and flawless diction because he was a famous actor. He finished his recitation. There was a pin drop silence for a while then everybody from the gathering praised the perfectness of the actor. Then as a result of the commentary of the audience the actor went to the podium with bowing head and humility. He proclaimed his announcement by addressing the audience in the following manner. Ladies and gentlemen “I know the Psalm but the pastor knows the shepherd.” In the present days millions of people can quote completely or at least partially. But undoubtedly very few know the shepherd (God) because most of us are not faithful and righteous. Without faith and righteousness we can never think about our eternal life so, let us say at this moment, these words “The Lord is my shepherd – I am His sheep – I shall not want anymore either in this life or in life to come.”

158 CHAPTER : 16

↑ Back to top