The Shepherd and His Flock

In my Zechariah Precept Study, especially in the last chapters--I'm learning much about shepherds and flocks.  We already know that Jesus is our Shepherd and we are His flock.  There is a very close bond between a shepherd and his flock.  In John 10 it says the sheep know the Shepherd's voice.  The shepherd is also very protective of his flock.  In Zechariah 11 God tells the prophet to pasture the flock because they are doomed to slaughter. 

God also speaks of a worthless shepherd: this is reminiscent of an anti-christ.  This worthless shepherd will not care for the perishing, will not seek the scattered, will not heal the broken, and will devour the flesh of the fat sheep and tear off their hoofs (see Zechariah 11).

In the last days God will whistle for His people to gather them together for He has redeemed them (see Zechariah 10:8).  This verb for the word whistle is used with the signification of  a "pipe", alluding to the signal a shepherd gives with a reed or bamboo pipe to gather his flock.  What a loving Shepherd we have!  For more, go to the Zechariah Precept Study page.  There's also more to my list of God's Character here.

Living Stones

photo credit goes to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Living_stone

As I was studying scripture over the last few weeks I came across some verses that I can't get out of my mind.  They speak of "living stones" and The Living Stone (Jesus Christ).  Born again believers and followers of Jesus Christ are to also be living stones and our foundation is to be The Living Stone.  I've put the verses in their entirety here on the Sitting At His Feet page. 

As "living stones":

--we will not be disturbed because we believe;

--we are being tested;

--we are firmly placed;

--we are choice and precious in the sight of God.

So, speaking of a solid foundation--my precept study of Zechariah is getting more and more exciting every week!  My insights come from what will happen in the last days as the nation of Israel and the Jews will be "front and center"!  Find out more here (don't miss it!) on the Zechariah Precept Study page.  You will have to scroll to the bottom for the most recent entry.  Also I've been keeping up my list of God's Character here from my study of Psalms.

"KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS"

Revelation 19:16 says And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, "KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS".  The Greek noun for KINGS in this verse basileus is a sovereign term meaning Christ will reign for ever and ever and is now a "King" Priest after the order of Melchizedek (Hebrews 5:6).  We have a righteous, sovereign God who will make His begotten Son, Jesus a King forever and ever!  This is exciting!!   Zechariah 6:12-13 refers to Jesus as "Branch".  I've elaborated a little bit on the Zechariah Precept Study page.  Also, I'm still adding to my God's Character list here.

He Has Called Me "Friend"

Wow! Really??! The Lord has called me His F R I E N D??!!  I learned in my Precept class that the word for "friend" in John 15:15 is a covenant term.  The Greek noun or adjective is philos meaning loved, dear.  To view the complete scripture of John 15:15 click on the Sitting At His Feet page.  Also, my list is growing on the Character of God through my study of Psalms.  Under the Zechariah Precept Study page, I added Week Three's insights about the first three visions Zechariah received from God.  This is getting more exciting every week!