CHRISTmas Is about the Shepherd King - December 7 Readings: Numbers 24:17, Exodus 34:20-24

 

25 Days of Christmas

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 perceive him, but not near.

A star will come from Jacob,

and a scepter will arise from Israel.

He will smash the forehead of Moab

and strike down all the Shethites.

Exodus 34:20-24

“‘Therefore, this is what the Lord God says to them: See, I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep. 21 Since you have pushed with flank and shoulder and butted all the weak ones with your horns until you scattered them all over, 22 I will save my flock. They will no longer be prey, and I will judge between one sheep and another. 23 I will establish over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he will shepherd them. He will tend them himself and will be their shepherd. 24 I, the Lord, will be their God, and my servant David will be a prince among them. I, the Lord, have spoken.

Through the Bible Readings: Amos3-4, 1 John 2:1–27, Psalm 138, Proverbs 30:3–4 

If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings. 

Devotional: The Shepherd King       

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 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 :

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