were shepherds outcasts in the bible

Shepherds were there, keeping watch over their flocks. The shepherds were in the fields near Bethlehem where David centuries before had also kept his flocks (1 Samuel 17:34,35). The shepherds teach us that Jesus invites all to come to him. They performed an important task since the lambs were sacrificial animals. He proudly proclaims, "I am the good shepherd." (The entire first century readers gasped!) The shepherds were the first to be notified of Jesus' birth and are an important part of the nativity story. 8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. The social status of a shepherds declined when Israel ceased living as nomads and became more accustomed to farming. Jeremiah 30:17-22. It's not a fair question because the Bible does not go in detail about it. The source of this information was a . . But all of them had the same basic elements: baby Jesus and his parents, wise men, some animals, and shepherds. During this time, shepherds were social outcasts. Shepherds were shunned by "respectable" people, especially by the religious Jews and the elite of Israel, and were often considered to be socially on par with tax collectors and prostitutes. When a male lamb is born in one of these shepherd's flocks, the shepherd examines it to make sure that it is spotless and perfect. " (Luke 2:8) The Bible is filled with powerful examples of sheep and Shepherds, - Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses and David. During this Advent devotion, we'll be looking at 5 different responses from people who were present for the coming of Jesus and we'll look at how they prepared for His arrival. Presumably they were carefully watched over to keep them safe from incurring any blemish that might render them unusable for the temple service. After the "400 silent years," when God did not speak through prophets, he now speaks through angels to lowly shepherds on a remote hillside outside a tiny Judean village. The eating of unclean animals is a religious offense called to'ebah: "Thou shalt not eat any abominable thing" (Deut. See The Woman's Study Bible (1995), p. 1690. Shepherds often let their sheep graze together and when they did they used the opportunity to share local gossip. Bible in a Year Information; . no palace, but a manger surrounded by animals. In the Christmas story we read that angels appeared to shepherds to announce the birth of Jesus. And when it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, "This is a desolate place, and the hour is now late. 33:13-16 that speaks of God sending his Messiah to shepherds watching their flocks. The shepherds closed the fold entrance, and often had a roofed shelter in which to sleep and/or make cheese. A: By coming to the shepherds, the angel revealed the grace of God towards mankind! Any avid reader of the Bible or student of early Jewish history will know that tending sheep was the choice profession of many of our nation's progenitors. In John 10:11, He turns the tables on the "dirty" profession of shepherding. A Little Bit about First Century Shepherds. I bring you good news that will cause . The shepherds of Bethlehem persisted in an honorable occupation that also claimed various Old Testam There was probably a sleep rota, but . The Shepherds remind us how God comes to mankind. Shepherds represent outcasts (which is why Luke uses them as this evangelist is particularly interested in showing that Jesus came for all). Draw closer to Jesus now. Prostitutes, tanners, and shepherds were all placed in the same class of the Jewish . So perhaps shepherds, who cared for the young lambs, who sat through cold dark nights in the fields to guard and protect . Counter consideration or claim…. How will you prepare to celebrate the Savior's birth this year? Shepherd's Status By Randy Alcorn March 11, 2008 "And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. Copy. The shepherds teach us that Jesus invites all to come to him. He also invites the rich, educated, respected, and well thought of like the Magi. - think about the characteristics of these men: A. Such sheep were kept in the environs of Jerusalem including Bethlehem which lies just five miles south of that city. "Kings were called 'shepherds' as being guardians and carers of their people (56:11; 2 Samuel 24:17; 1 Kings 22:17; Jeremiah 2:8). And he responds to those who choose to humble themselves before Him. In first-century Palestine, a woman's social sphere was only as large as her family. Many people have traditions such as listening to Christmas music, sending cards, decorating a tree, or reading the Christmas story. Abraham had much cattle and sheep as well, as did every wealthy man in the Bible, not that they necessarily were the shepherds however, for they most likely hired this out. Both the geographical locations of Bethlehem and nearby Migdal Eder are mentioned in Micah's prophecy of the Messiah (Micah 5:2 and 4:8). Shepherds were shunned by "respectable" people, especially by the religious Jews and the elite of Israel, and were often considered to be socially on par with tax collectors and prostitutes. The angel's message to the shepherds is the joyful news that the Savior promised to Israel in its days of darkness is now a present reality: God is with us in the flesh. Last week, we learned how the angels came to the shepherds to announce the birth of Jesus. Due to the shepherds' proximity to Bethlehem (Migdal Eder), they were . Christ Jesus is the figurative shepherd of all of Gods children. Perhaps because shepherds would understand. From man's limited perspective, God was sending a band of filthy, smelly outcasts to be the greeting party for His Son and to spread the good news of . The shepherds were the outcasts of Israel; they… That's why they worshipped him. Christ was born to be the Savior of sinners. . For these shepherds, they are charged with raising the sheep used for the Passover sacrifices in the temple. Humbly the shepherds responded, willing to listen and obey. And I will heal you of your wounds,' declares the Lord, 'Because they have called you an outcast, saying: "It is Zion; no one cares for her."' "Thus says the Lord, 'Behold, I will restore the fortunes of the tents of Jacob. Many of the great heroes of the Bible were shepherds. . Like the shepherds, Israel looked down and scorned Jesus. These Were No Ordinary Shepherds. Matthew 9:36-38 reads, "When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. For further protection, shepherds often carried a sling, comprised of a leather pouch on a string. The sheep they care for are not just any ordinary sheep. He invites those who are poor, uneducated, despised, and outcasts like the shepherds. Shepherds represent outcasts (which is why Luke uses them as this evangelist is particularly interested in showing that Jesus came for all). And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear." Luke 2:8-9 Shepherds were considered ceremonially unclean because they invariably had to engage in financial transactions with the Gentiles; therefore, they were not allowed in the temple. The Bible describes Jesus as the good shepherd (John 10:11). One such group of people who were labeled "sinners" were shepherds. Shepherds were so not cool in Jesus' world. • Among the occupations, shepherding had a lowly place. Jesus was not just a good S hepherd; the author of Hebrews describes Him as the " Great Shepherd .". While it is evident that there were shepherdesses in Israel at the time of Jesus' birth, many scholars and theologians believe that these shepherds referenced in Luke 2 were no ordinary shepherds, and thus could not have been women. In other words, they were the very people Jesus Christ chose to be with. They were filthy, dirty scum of the earth types. The heralding of His birth to some of the lowest of the low reminds us that we are all unwashed . . . -Luke 2:8-9 Shepherds were shunned by "respectable" people, especially by the religious Jews and the elite of Israel, and were often considered to be socially on par with tax collectors and prostitutes. Why Shepherds? He also invites the rich, educated, respected, and well thought of like the Magi. After writing of the birth of Christ (2:1-7), Luke abruptly stated, "And there were shepherds.". . Instead of choosing a . God will show you all something wonderful. The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God - What irony, for in the religious center Jerusalem the leaders did not truly worship God, but here in the fields outside Bethlehem were the common, non-religious shepherds worshipping God! The message of the gospel first came to shepherds, the pariahs of Judaism, to signify that the Savior had come for them. by a visit from the angel of the Lord, and then . These sheep were apparently kept outdoors all year round. Luke 2:8-20 (NKJV) Now there were in the same country shepherds (their work kept them from the Temple and synagogue; they also were made ceremonially unclean by their work; thus they were outcasts) living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. . Matthew 10: 32 "Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. Gentiles were aliens from Israel, alienated from the life of God, no people and a foolish nation. In the past, I had never really given much thought to the significance of shepherds at the birth of Jesus. No, though it may have been considered menial labor; even then, it was very necessary and important. Some think that because David was a shepherd, God wanted to reveal himself to the same kind of people. and the outcasts of society. But this is FIRST CENTURY Israel - they had . The Savior, now lying in that manger, was to be the Lamb of God. The shepherds were in the fields near Bethlehem where David centuries before had also kept his flocks (1 Samuel 17:34,35). They were the lowest of the low. The latter [ordinary shepherds] were under the ban of Rabbinism, on account of their necessary isolation from religious ordinances, and their manner of life, which rendered strict legal observance unlikely, if not absolutely impossible. John 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. 16:11-13 ), and here in Luke 2:8-18 God announces the birth of the "chief shepherd" ( 1 Pet. 1. Shepherds were not considered "nice" people. Their sources are generally many years after the New Testament time period, plus Aristotle who was from a different culture and 300 years before Jesus. " And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. something about shepherds in Palestine 2000 years ago. So it is fitting that it is he who gives this account of the Angels proclamation of the birth of the Saviour, to these working men, out . In the Old Testament, we see clear descriptions of Abraham, Moses, and David as shepherds. They were considered . Given the importance of sheep and shepherds like Moses and David in the Old Testament, it should be no wonder that shepherds are an integral part of the account of Jesus' birth and life. Take Luke chapter 2. . They were going to see the newborn Lamb of God. Many scholars stated that shepherds were the outcasts, Lower social class and uneducated. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven. I've lived in Oklahoma or Texas for the majority of my life, and my in-laws are ranchers so agricultural . Wolves were a potential problem, notably in the north, where goats outnumbered sheep. God is the initiator. In the ancient days of the Old Testament, working as a shepherd was a respectable career. The shepherds knew they were not going to see just any baby. During this Advent devotion, we'll be looking at 5 different responses from people who were present for the coming of Jesus and we'll look at how they prepared for His arrival. IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament [Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2014], 185)! The Shepherds See Jesus in the Manger. These shepherds were very likely watching their sheep that night in some of the very same fields that David had watched sheep in . Others point to a prophecy in Jer. Many scholars have taught that shepherds were societal outcasts in first-century Israel. Shepherds were kind of like our modern-day migrant workers—they had jobs that many people didn't want. Christ was born to be the Savior of sinners. In summer, they probably baked several day They were seen John 3:16 and Romans 10:13 reminds us of God's invitation to everyone because "whoever believes will have . In the Bible such moments force us to reflect on God's beautiful orchestration. Bible verses about Accepting Outcasts. They were considered untrustworthy and their work made them ceremonially unclean and as a result they could not participate in worship. Were shepherds considered outcasts during biblical times? The message of the gospel first came to shepherds, the pariahs of Judaism, to signify that the Savior had come for them. Shepherds lived with their sheep in the fields day and night, ensuring that no harm would come to them. . The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear. - Their work not only made them ceremonially unclean (sometimes dealing with dead animals) He is no longer a . Notice at least three ironies: Irony #1: Sinful People. He invites those who are poor, uneducated, despised, and outcasts like the shepherds. Waiting for the Messiah, the people eagerly anticipated the one who would "shepherd" Israel. The third candle is the Shepherd's Candle - Joy The lighting of this candle is a reminder that God came for the most unlikely and insignificant people. The Shepherds: Willing Hearts. It was as if God, who is always there, pulled back the curtain to reveal something of his glory. They were filthy, dirty scum of the earth types. Men that the scribes and pharisees would have delighted to shun and avoid. Answer A shepherd during the time of the Old Testament was often, but not always, a child. The first announcement of the Messiah's birth was given to shepherds, an unlikely group to receive such an important announcement. 5 And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered. 10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. . David was a shepherd and taken from the flock to lead Israel ( 1 Sam. . 'For I will restore you to health. Many people have traditions such as listening to Christmas music, sending cards, decorating a tree, or reading the Christmas story. The Bible says the shepherds ran to see . And as the Lamb, He was destined to die for the sins of the world, to die for these very shepherds as their Savior. Whatever his age, the shepherd's job was to protect his flock and guide them to good pastures with plenty of food and slow-moving, easily accessible water. The presence of sheep in the fields does not argue . The angels: God's messengers Animal pens stink, but humans who keep the animals don't walk around with dung clinging to themselves if they can help it. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. . God was sending a group of outcasts to be the greeting party for His Son and to spread the good news of His birth to all who would listen. What was a shepherd in the Bible? Luke 2:8-20 (NKJV) Now there were in the same country shepherds (their work kept them from the Temple and synagogue; they also were made ceremonially unclean by their work; thus they were outcasts) living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. They were hated by many people, considered untrustworthy and unclean. They were considered outcasts at the time because they. Sedition afoot? The shepherds got to see what is usually invisible to human eyes - the glory of God. Why were shepherds chosen as the first on earth to hear the strange glorious news of the birth of the Savior of the world? Shepherds are prevalent figures in biblical history. To show that God cares for the overlooked or forgotten. On that night, light expelled darkness. They were outcasts. There is another observation and it is a sad one — even though the shepherds had spread the message . The Story of Jesus' Birth The story of Jesus' birth is found in Luke 2:1-21. The sheep/goats were free-range by day in specific areas but usually folded at night, protected by stone walls. When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. . They smell a lot like a typical cowboy. Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock. The shepherds were undoubtedly coarse, unlearned men. In regard to Migdal . " (Luke 2:8) The Bible is filled with powerful examples of sheep and Shepherds, - Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses and David. (Luke 2:11). The presence of sheep in the fields does not argue . Jewish writings made it clear that "It is the way of a woman to stay at home and it is the way of a man to go out into the marketplace." (Bereshit Rabbah) While literacy was an important element in . " And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. The Lord Appears to the Outcasts - The Epiphany: Luke 2. If fed grass of poor quality, the sheep would be malnourished. As to why God chose to reveal the birth of His Son to shepherds, well shepherds were the lowest class of people, sometimes they were even criminals and outcast. However, on this night, an angel appears to the shepherds. Shepherds in the Bible times, and even today, are considered the poor or of the lower class of society. The Shepherds were not poor outcasts. Here are five cast-off groups that Jesus loved: 1. From man's limited perspective, God was sending a band of filthy, smelly outcasts to be the greeting party for His Son and to spread the good news of . Men despised and rejected—just as He would soon be. Invite your friends to draw closer with you, now. No one cared about the shepherds. Let's look at the story as written in the Bible to see what we can know about the shepherds. If the shepherds of Luke's account were those who kept flocks potentially destined for the Temple at Migdal Eder, they especially would have been receptive to the angel's message. And have compassion on his dwelling places; December 9, 2021 One of the first occupations in the Bible was a shepherd, held by Abel (Genesis 4:1-8). This Promised One is Jesus, the Son of God, the Good Shepherd. . Then suddenly, out of nowhere, the angels of heaven appeared to. a. On that night in Bethlehem, outside of Joseph and Mary, the only people in the world who knew Christ had been born were the shepherds. But when the shepherds witness the birth first, this underscores the tone of Jesus' life and ministry on earth. A Little Bit about First Century Shepherds They were outcasts. They worked on the Sabbath, their manners, like their language, were course, their hygiene was poor, they were outsiders with numerous strikes against them. In regard to Migdal . • They were outcasts, not allowed in the city, and not trusted by the general public, for often, they were thieves. American author Randy Alcorn (who has written quite a good book on the subject of heaven) has written a book chapter and an online article about the poverty and status of the shepherds as poor outcasts:. John 3:16 and Romans 10:13 reminds us of God's invitation to everyone because "whoever believes will have . Yet, heavenly messengers proclaimed the news about the Savior who had been born to the shepherds. 5:4) and the true king of Israel to shepherds. For the last two weeks, we have been learning the Story of Christmas through the characters that are part of the story: animals, angels, shepherds, Mary and Joseph, and of course, baby Jesus and so on. How will you prepare to celebrate the Savior's birth this year? If the shepherds of Luke's account were those who kept flocks potentially destined for the Temple at Migdal Eder, they especially would have been receptive to the angel's message. Their job has far more greater importance. Meanwhile Mary kept all these things in her heart, pondering the workings of God in her young life. A Little Bit about First Century Shepherds They were outcasts. It was dark, the Shepherds were in the field, near Christ's birth, as they tended their flock. 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