The Gentle Shepherd

Like a shepherd He will tend His flock, In His arm He will gather the lambs And carry them in His bosom; He will gently lead the nursing ewes. (Isaiah 40:11)

A picture of God’s omnipotence. The same arm that powerfully scatters the Jews all over the earth in judgment is to overcome Israel’s oppressors and to tenderly feed and lead his flock 

In that part of the world especially, shepherding involved constant hands-on care from shepherd to sheep. Middle Eastern flocks (even today) aren’t generally herded by dogs as in most Western sheep ranching; they are led by the shepherd. In other words, he leads by serving them, not by driving them.

Commentary from John MacArthur


When we allow the Shepherd to lead us we can be certain that we are going in the right direction. In the arms of the Shepherd we can rest in safety and comfort.