On the seventh day of Christmas, my Bible said to me...the baby in the manger was destined to be not only the King of kings but the Good Shepherd to the sheep of God.
Today's Reading: Numbers 24:17, Exodus 34:20-24
Numbers 24:17
I see him, but not now;I behold him, but not near:a star shall come out of Jacob,and a scepter shall rise out of Israel;it shall crush the forehead of Moab
and break down all the sons of Sheth.
Ezekiel 34:20-24
“Therefore, thus says the Lord God to them: Behold, I, I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep. 21 Because you push with side and shoulder, and thrust at all the weak with your horns, till you have scattered them abroad, 22 I will rescue my flock; they shall no longer be a prey. And I will judge between sheep and sheep. 23 And I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be their shepherd. 24 And I, the Lord, will be their God, and my servant David shall be prince among them. I am the Lord; I have spoken.
Devotional Thoughts
Today's prophecies are not so much about the birth of Christ as they are about the ultimate purpose of Christ's coming - to be the ultimate fulfillment of the covenant of David and to take his throne forever. The Numbers prophecy tells us that a scepter will rise up out of Israel, a prophecy of the Davidic line that finds it's ultimate glory in Jesus Christ. In Ezekiel, we see some significant truths that bear closer scrutiny.
The king in the prophecy is not a cruel, self-absorbed ruler. He is a shepherd, one who devotes himself to the welfare of the sheep. Jesus did not come to earth to gain fame or fortune, but to be the Good Shepherd to the sheep of God. He sees to it that they are in want of nothing and leads them to quiet waters where their souls can be restored. Even in the deepest and darkest valleys, he ministers to them by his hand of grace, comfort, and discipline. The King of kings is a good to all his subjects.
It is an amazing truth. There is an old saw that has been verified in human life. "Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely." People who are given power are prone to abuse it for selfish purposes. But the Creator who has unlimited power over his creation and yet acts for our good, our blessing, our eternal glory.
As you celebrate a baby in a manger this Christmas season, remember that the baby was "born king of the Jews" and that he is a good king, a shepherd who cares well for his sheep.
Father, I thank you that you sent us a ruler who would care for us, guide us, lead us, provide for us, and love us.
Think and Pray
Consider the glorious truth that the King over all the world cares for you like a shepherd cares for his sheep.
Read Psalm 23 and think through all the great blessings that are yours because "the Lord is your shepherd."
Carol of the Day - This Little Child
Who would of tho't that long ago
So very far away A little child would be bornAnd in a manger laid
And who would have tho't this little child
Was born the King of kings
The Son of just a carpenter
For whom the angels sing
And who would have tho't that as He grew
And with other children played
This child with whom they laughed and sang
Would die for them some day
And who would have tho't this little child
Could make a blind man see
Feed the hungry make rich the poor
And set the sinner free
Oh who would have tho't this little child
Was who the prophets said
Would take away the sins of man
And rise up from the dead
O I believe and I will always sing
This little child is the King
O I believe and I will always sing
This little child He is the King of kings
In light of the King also being a Shepherd it seems significant that it was shepherds that were alerted to Christ's birth and that went to visit Him in the manger.
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