Which One Are You? Part 5

Which One Are You?

A five part series. Part Five. 

The Sheepdog

A lot of people in law enforcement consider themselves to be the sheepdog, it’s a common term and self-applied label to say that they are the protectors of the sheep. I know, I was once one. 

Law enforcement and military has adopted the phrase which assumes the role of the sheepdog to protect the flock. The sheepdog was later added to assist the shepherd. 

A sheepdog is used to keep the flock together, herd them in direction and protect them from predators in today’s use. 

Interestingly enough, there is no mention of the sheepdog in the Bible. The Bible refers to dogs as something that is somewhat detestable and interestingly uninteresting. 

It’s why I did not put a Bible verse at the beginning. 

They were consider for work. They hadn’t established loyalty. And they certainly weren’t needed to protect a flock of sheep that Jesus was the shepherd of (or at least not in the parables). Simply put, dogs in the Bible weren’t as regal, domesticated or as trained as we see them today. 

It’s simply a term that was coined after sheepdogs were introduced into herding later on and then someone placed the label on the law enforcement and military role. I think retired Lieutenant Colonel Grossman coined this in a book. 

The sheepdog is important in its role today. The shepherd can guide and teach the flock, provide correction and encouragement, however in today’s times the sheepdog is looked to as a necessity to the shepherd, not the sheep. When in all actuality it is just a control measure. 

When the sheep stop looking to the shepherd, when the sheep lose faith and when the sheep start to stray, the sheepdog is brought in to regain control or law and order. The sheepdog by nature has a protective capacity, only after it has been introduced to the flock and has developed a bond with the flock. Or has been trained to protect the flock. Otherwise it isn’t seen as such. But that is today. 

When Jesus walked the earth and the parables of the sheep were introduced, there was no need of a sheepdog. Jesus pointed to Himself or His Father as the One that provided what man was in search of. 

True faith removes fear from the sheep. Of course law enforcement is a very noble and rewarding profession, filled with danger. Law enforcement doesn’t remove fear. It provides law and order. And law enforcement is very necessary. 

Sheep should not be seen as weak. Nor should they be taught that they are. Sheep should be guided, corrected and taught in the principles and standards of Jesus Christ. 

Moreover the sheepdogs necessity should be seen as those that hunt the wolf in addition to protecting the sheep. 

Many sheep have protected the flock and the shepherd when needed. Sheep are strong when they have the Lord Jesus Christ in their life. Yes, there are weak sheep, but they too can be made to be strong in their faith. 

Of course these devotions are not all-inclusive of every verse I could remember or find on each subject - but enough to get you started. 

I hope you enjoyed the series.