“He will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.” Matthew 25:32,33
In Bible times, shepherds would often care for both sheep and goats in the same flocks. Both animals were used for meat, clothing, and milk. The sheep of Palestine were called broad-tailed sheep. They had very large tails, much larger than the sheep in the United States. These animals were easily frightened and needed constant watching. They were very meek and gentle and provided lots of soft wool. The goats were more adventurous. They liked climbing the rugged hillsides while the sheep preferred the meadow. The goats were very independent and harder to handle. At night the shepherd would need to separate the goats from the sheep because the goats were more restless and needed greater protection from the cold night air.
The sheep and goats came in many colors. When Jacob was working for his uncle Laban, the goats and sheep in his flock were spotted, streaked and speckled in black and white. When they grew to be adults, they had curlier hair and fat tails that hung down, and the goats had horns and tails that pointed out. It wasn’t quite as easy to separate the young since they looked much alike. Shepherds were very familiar with the differences between the two animals. Sheep represented the calm, meek animals that followed their leader while the goats were better known for their stubborn, unpredictable, and independent ways. If you tug on a goat to lead it to food, it will probably just look at you and instead devour the scrap of newspaper caught in the fence.
Perhaps that is why Jesus used the picture of sheep and goats when he taught the people about judgment day. Jesus said the sheep represented the believers and the goats represented the unbelievers. Jesus said that when he comes on the last day, he will sit on a throne and judge everyone. He will recognize those who are his believers and those who refused to believe in him. Then he will separate the believers from the unbelievers just as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. Matthew 25:32,33 says: “He will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.” Then he will send the goats into the everlasting fires of hell. But he will take his sheep and lambs with him into heaven. That’s why we want to always remain his loving and adoring sheep.
Who so happy as I am, even now the Shepherd’s lamb?
And when my short life is ended, by His angel host attended,
He shall fold me to His breast, there within His arms to rest.
Recent Comments