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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