Shepherd - Isaiah 44:28

Isaiah 44:28 That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid.

A word study that demonstrates the value of appreciating our Good Shepherd.

In this verse we find an unusual use of the word shepherd. This is the only place where a Gentile king is given the title of being a shepherd of God's people. Why is this significant? Why did God speak of Cyrus in this way?

1. The LORD has always viewed his people as sheep.(Num 27:17) (Ezk 34) (John 10)
2. The LORD was to be Israel's only King Shepherd. (Psalm 100:3)
3. The LORD was rejected by his sheep wanting to have a king like the other nations. (1Sam 8) (Hos 13:11)
4. The LORD exercised his longsuffering toward his people by giving them king David who was a man after his own heart. (Psalm 23)
5. The LORD demonstrated his faithfulness by sending his people shepherds to warn them and lead them in the ways of righteousness but they were not heeded (Isaiah 53)(Mt 23:37)
6. The failure of wicked shepherds lead to the scattering of His flock. (Jer 50:6)(Ezk 34)(Zech 11)
7. The LORD performed righteous judgment on his people by sending them into captivity.
8. The LORD presented his sovereignty and power by making Cyrus his shepherd to help his people. (Isaiah 44:28) (Is 45:1-4) (2Chor 36:22-23) (Ezra 1:1-4)
9. Israel should have been humbled by this expression of God's gentle rebuke of showing a proud people his ability to shepherd them with a Gentile king, but they remained prideful as a nation thus they were scattered again (Mt 24:1-2)
10. The Lord will one day be recognized as the King Shepherd of His People (Zeph 3:13-20)(Ezk 34:11-31)

Are you one of his Sheep? If not what will be your end? (Rev 20:11-15)

If you are one of his sheep, do you recognize his authority and submit to his leadership as the king of your life? If not do you expect Him to look past your rebellion? He will not. (Heb 12:1-15)