Glorifying God: Shepherds
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In the biblical narrative, shepherds hold a significant role in illustrating the theme of glorifying God. The image of the shepherd is woven throughout Scripture, symbolizing care, guidance, and the humble acknowledgment of God's sovereignty. Shepherds are often depicted as individuals who, despite their lowly status, are chosen by God to witness and proclaim His glory.

Old Testament Context

The role of the shepherd is first introduced in the Old Testament, where figures such as Abel, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David are depicted as shepherds. These individuals are not only caretakers of sheep but also serve as leaders and patriarchs of the faith. David, in particular, is a quintessential example of a shepherd who glorifies God. As a young shepherd boy, David is chosen by God to be king over Israel, demonstrating that God values the heart over outward appearances (1 Samuel 16:7). David's psalms, such as Psalm 23, reflect his deep trust in God as the ultimate Shepherd, guiding and providing for His people.

New Testament Revelation

The New Testament further elevates the role of shepherds in the context of glorifying God. In the Gospel of Luke, shepherds are the first to receive the announcement of Jesus' birth. Luke 2:8-14 describes how an angel of the Lord appears to shepherds in the fields, proclaiming the good news of great joy: "Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord." The shepherds' response is immediate; they go to Bethlehem to see the newborn Messiah and then spread the word, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen (Luke 2:17-20).

This account highlights the shepherds' role as witnesses to God's redemptive plan. Their humble status underscores the theme that God's glory is revealed to the lowly and meek, aligning with Jesus' teachings that the kingdom of God belongs to those who are humble in spirit (Matthew 5:3).

The Good Shepherd

Jesus Himself adopts the imagery of the shepherd to describe His relationship with His followers. In John 10:11 , Jesus declares, "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep." This self-identification not only fulfills Old Testament prophecies but also illustrates the ultimate act of glorifying God through sacrificial love and care for His people. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, embodies the perfect model of leadership, one that is rooted in service and selflessness.

Shepherds as Church Leaders

The metaphor of the shepherd extends to the leadership within the early church. Elders and pastors are often referred to as shepherds, tasked with tending to the spiritual needs of the congregation. The Apostle Peter exhorts church leaders to "shepherd the flock of God among you" (1 Peter 5:2), emphasizing the responsibility to lead with humility and integrity, reflecting the character of Christ.

In summary, the theme of glorifying God through the role of shepherds is a profound and recurring motif in Scripture. From the pastoral fields of ancient Israel to the spiritual leadership within the church, shepherds exemplify the call to honor God through faithful service, humility, and the proclamation of His redemptive work.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Luke 2:20
And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told to them.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Shepherds and Angels
... And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that
they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.'"Luke 2:8-20. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/shepherds and angels.htm

The Angels and the Shepherds.
... And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that
they had heard and seen, even as it was spoken unto them. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his life/the angels and the shepherds.htm

The Birth of Jesus Proclaimed by Angels to the Shepherds.
... iii.4.] 20 And the shepherds returned [they did not ... for neglecting their humble duties],
glorifying [because of ... had been revealed] and praising God [because of ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xi the birth of jesus.htm

Proofs of the Foregoing, Drawn from the Gospels of Mark and Luke.
... Wherefore he adds: "The shepherds returned, glorifying God for all which they had
heard and seen, as it was told unto them." [3419] For the Israelitish ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter x proofs of the foregoing.htm

The Birth of Jesus. Ch. 2:1-20
... unto them by the shepherds.19 But Mary kept all these sayings, pondering them in
her heart.20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/e the birth of jesus.htm

Unto You a Saviour
... shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God.". ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 4 unto you a.htm

St. Ignatius (Ad 116)
... and deacons, and were also the chief spiritual pastors (or shepherds) of the ... in his
letter, that they would do nothing to hinder him from glorifying God by his ...
/.../chapter ii st ignatius ad.htm

The Birth of Mary the Holy Mother of God, and Very Glorious Mother ...
... And Joachim went down and called his shepherds, saying: Bring me hither ten ... the supper
was ended, they went down rejoicing, and glorifying the God of Israel ...
/.../unknown/the protevangelium of james/the birth of mary the.htm

Religious Joy.
... that startle us after the Angel's news to the shepherds? ... to His glory is His power
of glorifying; so that to ... already the first-fruits of our race, God and man ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon xvii religious joy.htm

A Statement of the Manner in which Luke's Procedure is Proved to ...
... And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things
that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. ...
/.../augustine/the harmony of the gospels/chapter v a statement of the.htm

Resources
What does it mean to glorify God? | GotQuestions.org

How can I glorify God in everything I do? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about worship? | GotQuestions.org

Glorifying: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Glorifying

Glorifying God by David

Glorifying God by Jesus

Glorifying God for his Holiness

Glorifying God for His: Deliverance

Glorifying God for His: Faithfulness and Truth

Glorifying God for His: Grace to Others

Glorifying God for His: Holiness

Glorifying God for His: Judgments

Glorifying God for His: Mercy and Truth

Glorifying God for His: Wondrous Works

Glorifying God is Acceptable Through Christ

Glorifying God: Abraham

Glorifying God: Accomplished by Bringing Forth Fruits of Righteousness

Glorifying God: Accomplished by Confessing Christ

Glorifying God: Accomplished by Doing all to Glorify Him

Glorifying God: Accomplished by Doing all to Him

Glorifying God: Accomplished by Dying for Him

Glorifying God: Accomplished by Faithfulness

Glorifying God: Accomplished by Glorifying Christ

Glorifying God: Accomplished by Patience in Affliction

Glorifying God: Accomplished by Praising Him

Glorifying God: Accomplished by Relying on his Promises

Glorifying God: Accomplished by Suffering for Christ

Glorifying God: All the Blessings of God are Designed to Lead To

Glorifying God: All, by Nature, Fail In

Glorifying God: Angels

Glorifying God: Blind Man

Glorifying God: Centurion

Glorifying God: Christ, an Example of

Glorifying God: Commanded

Glorifying God: David

Glorifying God: Deliverances

Glorifying God: Due to Him

Glorifying God: Faithfulness and Truth

Glorifying God: Gentiles at Antioch

Glorifying God: Grace to Others

Glorifying God: Heavenly Host Engaged In

Glorifying God: Heavenly Hosts Engaged In

Glorifying God: Judgments

Glorifying God: Leper

Glorifying God: Man Sick of the Palsy

Glorifying God: Mercy and Truth

Glorifying God: Obligation of Saints To

Glorifying God: Paul

Glorifying God: Punishment for Not

Glorifying God: Required in Body and Spirit

Glorifying God: Saints should Persevere In

Glorifying God: Saints should Resolve On

Glorifying God: Saints should Unite In

Glorifying God: Saints: Persevere In

Glorifying God: Saints: should Resolve To

Glorifying God: Saints: Unite In

Glorifying God: Shall be Universal

Glorifying God: Shepherds

Glorifying God: The Angels

Glorifying God: The Blind Man

Glorifying God: The Centurion

Glorifying God: The Church at Jerusalem

Glorifying God: The Congregation at Jerusalem

Glorifying God: The Gentiles (Non-Jewish People) at Antioch (Of Syria)

Glorifying God: The Holy Example of Saints May Lead Others To

Glorifying God: The Holy Example of the Saints May Lead Others To

Glorifying God: The Leper Whom Jesus Healed

Glorifying God: The Man Sick With Palsy

Glorifying God: The Multitude

Glorifying God: The Shepherds

Glorifying God: The Virgin Mary

Glorifying God: The Wicked Averse To

Glorifying God: The Woman With Infirmity

Glorifying God: Woman With Infirmity

Glorifying God: Wondrous Works

Related Terms

Presently (25 Occurrences)

Recommend (2 Occurrences)

Reference (23 Occurrences)

Praising (35 Occurrences)

Praise (487 Occurrences)

Immediately (141 Occurrences)

Numbering (35 Occurrences)

Glorification (1 Occurrence)

Whereon (45 Occurrences)

Free-hearted (3 Occurrences)

Reformation (24 Occurrences)

Returned (328 Occurrences)

Profession (9 Occurrences)

Praised (101 Occurrences)

Picked (43 Occurrences)

Proved (49 Occurrences)

Communicating (4 Occurrences)

Announcement (3 Occurrences)

Accordance (118 Occurrences)

Silent (120 Occurrences)

Shepherds (55 Occurrences)

Struck (373 Occurrences)

Glorify (49 Occurrences)

Loud (222 Occurrences)

Age-during (167 Occurrences)

Front (327 Occurrences)

Face (780 Occurrences)

Standing (334 Occurrences)

Laying (87 Occurrences)

Sight (522 Occurrences)

Spoken (631 Occurrences)

Laid (552 Occurrences)

Departed (270 Occurrences)

Risen (169 Occurrences)

Followed (201 Occurrences)

Bedstead (1 Occurrence)

Rose (279 Occurrences)

Bedchamber (6 Occurrences)

Voice (651 Occurrences)

Received (312 Occurrences)

Glorious (91 Occurrences)

Fellowship (114 Occurrences)

Bed (142 Occurrences)

Turn (963 Occurrences)

Lay (524 Occurrences)

Towards (416 Occurrences)

Receive (350 Occurrences)

Thyself (352 Occurrences)

Sirach

Healed (106 Occurrences)

Ministry (44 Occurrences)

Wisdom (320 Occurrences)

Solomon (277 Occurrences)

Anem (1 Occurrence)

Glorifying God: Shall be Universal
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