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I AM

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I <strong>AM</strong> : M. M. Ninan<br />

Zec 11:16 For I am going to raise up a shepherd over the land who will<br />

not care for the lost, or seek the young, or heal the injured, or feed the<br />

healthy, but will eat the meat of the choice sheep, tearing off their hoofs.<br />

Notice the characteristics<br />

He will not care for the strayed or search for the lost<br />

He will not seek the young<br />

He will not strengthen the weak or heal the sick or injured<br />

He will not feed the healthy instead<br />

He eats the meat of the choice sheep, tearing off their hoofs.<br />

One characteristic of all shepherd tribes (this applies also to<br />

cowherd tribes also) is that they will not eat the meat of the sheep.<br />

This may sound queer. It is a taboo among all shepherding tribes to<br />

kill a sheep for meat, even when they are dying of hunger. Only an<br />

unethical shepherd will kill to eat. The only time they normally<br />

have meat for food is when there is a sacrifice. Then the meat is to<br />

be shared among all the members of the tribe. They may eat the<br />

meat of a sheep who is dying or who cannot walk and therefore<br />

follow the pasture as the group move from place to place. If an<br />

animal falls down while in transit and it is not a lamb, the<br />

shepherds may eat its flesh instead of leaving the animal behind<br />

and wild animals preying on it. That is why the bad shepherd tears<br />

off the hoof of the sheep - so that the sheep may fall down and it<br />

may become an excuse.<br />

So, when Jesus said I am the good shepherd he meant all these:<br />

He will care for the strayed or search for the lost<br />

He will seek the young<br />

He will strengthen the weak or heal the sick or injured<br />

He will feed the healthy<br />

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