< Vorige | Inhoud | Volgende >
A term used in the O.T. for Israel as sheep gathered by God as their Shepherd, and called Jehovah's flock. Ps. 77: 20; Ps. 107: 41; Jer. 13: 17. It is also applied to those of Israel that were gathered to Christ when on earth. To these He added the Gentile believers; and all were united into one flock (not 'one fold'), with Christ as the one Shepherd. John 10: 16. When the leaders of Israel were to be judged as not caring for the Lord's flock, the prophet speaks of the remnant as the poor o f the flock. Zech. 11: 7, 11: cf. Luke 6: 20. The Lord also spoke to His disciples as a little flock, bidding them not to fear: it was their Father's good pleasure to give them the kingdom. Luke
12: 32. In Paul's address to the elders of Ephesus he exhorts them to take heed unto all the flock: the wolves would not spare them. Paul commended the shepherds to God and to the word of His grace. Acts 20: 28, 29: cf. 1 Peter 5: 2, 3.