Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  1000 God  »  1200 God, titles and descriptions of  »  1205 God, titles and names of  »  1220 God, as shepherd

The image of God as a shepherd points to his continual direction, guidance and care for his people.

Shepherd as a title for God

Psalm 80:1 See also Genesis 49:24; Ecclesiastes 12:11

God's people are his flock

Israel is God's flock

Psalm 95:7 See also Psalm 79:13; Psalm 100:3; Jeremiah 50:7; Ezekiel 34:31

The church is God's flock

1 Peter 5:2 See also Luke 12:32; Acts 20:28-29

The tasks undertaken by God the shepherd

The shepherd leads and guides

Psalm 23:2-3 See also Isaiah 40:11

The shepherd provides

Psalm 23:1 See also Genesis 48:15; Psalm 23:5-6; Hosea 4:16; Micah 7:14

The shepherd protects

Psalm 28:9 See also Genesis 49:23-24

The shepherd saves those who are lost or scattered

Jeremiah 31:10 See also Psalm 119:176; Isaiah 53:6; Ezekiel 34:11-16; Matthew 18:12-14 pp Luke 15:3-7

The shepherd judges

Ezekiel 34:17-22 See also Jeremiah 23:1; Zechariah 10:2-3; Zechariah 11:16; Matthew 25:32-46

God gives shepherds to be leaders over his people

He gives David's line

Ezekiel 34:23 See also 2 Samuel 5:2 pp 1 Chronicles 11:2; Psalm 78:70-72; Ezekiel 34:23-24; Ezekiel 37:24; Micah 5:4; Matthew 2:6

He gives individual leaders

Isaiah 44:28; Isaiah 63:11

He gives faithful leaders

Jeremiah 3:15 See also Jeremiah 23:4; 1 Peter 5:2-4

See also

1030  God, compassion
1330  God, the provider
1345  covenant
2330  Christ as shepherd
3263  Holy Spirit, guidance
5802  care
7130  flock, God's
7140  people of God
7733  leaders
7784  shepherd
8124  guidance