Today I read Genesis 33, the passage where Esau and Jacob are reunited after over 20 years apart. When they parted Esau was scheming about the right time to kill Jacob for robbing him of his father's blessing. Their reunion was marked by Jacob sending waves of gifts before bowing seven times to the ground before Esau. The part which stood out to me was when Esau suggested Jacob, his family, and vast flocks and herds travel together with his 400 men. Jacob graciously declined the offer. He said in Genesis 33:14, "Let my lord, I pray thee, pass over before his servant: and I will lead on softly, according as the cattle that goeth before me and the children be able to endure, until I come unto my lord unto Seir."
For the sake of his family and flocks Jacob bid Esau to leave so they could both travel at an appropriate pace. No doubt Esau and his 400 men had things to do and places to go, and Jacob did not want to be a hindrance. He expressed his desire to "lead on softly" at a pace which was suitable for his children and animals. This approach to shepherding is one shared by God. Many people are destination driven, and the destination is important. Yet God is not so keen to arrive at a destination quickly that He will drive the sheep to exhaustion and death. A good shepherd pays attention to how the little ones are faring, ensuring there is good grazing, adequate water, and providing rest along the way. God will lead on softly as much as we can endure because He will never trade a quicker arrival at a destination for the exchange of the life of a single lamb.
This loving way God leads and guides His people reminded me of a song my mum used to sing often. It was one of the songs I requested the most when she played guitar and sang to us kids as we went to bed. The song is taken from Isaiah 40:11, and the preceding verse is provided for context: "Behold, the Lord GOD will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. 11 He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young." God has a strong hand and is fit to rule all with a rod of iron. At the same time He uses his hand gently to gather lambs and carry them. He gently leads those that are pregnant with young, for He will ensure they do not come to the birth too soon. God considers the health of His ewes and their little ones as more important than arriving at His intended destination, so He leads on softly - even carrying ones close to His heart who are without strength. He will not abandon them in the way.
How good it is for us to take this to heart! For those who are parents this is a good reminder for us to "lead on softly," not harshly driving our flock beyond capacity. There is a big difference between leading and driving. Driving is done from the rear with a loud crack of the whip and shouting, but leading is done from the front. Let us be those who embrace the journey of godly child-rearing and be patient with others in Christian ministry, even if the road is long and the destination seems to always loom far in front of us. A strong hand ought to be used to gently foster unity and patiently carry those who are without strength. Hasn't God been gracious to lead us on softly?
For the sake of his family and flocks Jacob bid Esau to leave so they could both travel at an appropriate pace. No doubt Esau and his 400 men had things to do and places to go, and Jacob did not want to be a hindrance. He expressed his desire to "lead on softly" at a pace which was suitable for his children and animals. This approach to shepherding is one shared by God. Many people are destination driven, and the destination is important. Yet God is not so keen to arrive at a destination quickly that He will drive the sheep to exhaustion and death. A good shepherd pays attention to how the little ones are faring, ensuring there is good grazing, adequate water, and providing rest along the way. God will lead on softly as much as we can endure because He will never trade a quicker arrival at a destination for the exchange of the life of a single lamb.
This loving way God leads and guides His people reminded me of a song my mum used to sing often. It was one of the songs I requested the most when she played guitar and sang to us kids as we went to bed. The song is taken from Isaiah 40:11, and the preceding verse is provided for context: "Behold, the Lord GOD will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. 11 He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young." God has a strong hand and is fit to rule all with a rod of iron. At the same time He uses his hand gently to gather lambs and carry them. He gently leads those that are pregnant with young, for He will ensure they do not come to the birth too soon. God considers the health of His ewes and their little ones as more important than arriving at His intended destination, so He leads on softly - even carrying ones close to His heart who are without strength. He will not abandon them in the way.
How good it is for us to take this to heart! For those who are parents this is a good reminder for us to "lead on softly," not harshly driving our flock beyond capacity. There is a big difference between leading and driving. Driving is done from the rear with a loud crack of the whip and shouting, but leading is done from the front. Let us be those who embrace the journey of godly child-rearing and be patient with others in Christian ministry, even if the road is long and the destination seems to always loom far in front of us. A strong hand ought to be used to gently foster unity and patiently carry those who are without strength. Hasn't God been gracious to lead us on softly?
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