The Good Shepherd Part 2
Psalm 23
June 3, 2007 FBC, Chester Mike Fogerson, Pastor
Introduction
A The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. 3 He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Psalms 23:1-6 (NASB)
1 David wrote it late in life
a No ruddy shepherd
b The Lord is my shepherd (Jehovah Rohi)
aa Jehovah Jireh Provides
bb Jehovah Shalom Peace
cc Jehovah Rophe Healing
dd Jehovah Tsidkenu Righteousness
ee Jehovah Shammah The Lord is there
c Today, I’ll introduce two new names:
aa Jehovah Nissi The Lord our banner
bb Jehovah M’Kaddesh The Lord who sanctifies
2 Some interpret the psalm as changing metaphors from Lord as shepherd to Lord as host (v. 5 & 6).
a This is perhaps the reward, blessing for the sheep who have followed the good shepherd home.
b I will enter it as a shift in metaphor, however, the emphasis I’ve put in this series is really on the Old Testament names of God.
c Let’s look at the last two verses of the 23rd Psalm & find comfort, hope, and promise for all the days of our lives, as well as allowing God to prepare our hearts for approaching His table today.
I Jehovah Nissi: "in the presence of my enemies"
A What a powerful image when understood.
1 The picture is one of someone running, a fugitive on the run with his enemy right on his trail, breathing down his neck.
a He’s in trouble. "In a moment of passion or cold bitterness, he has maimed & outraged his brother."-Jowett
aa The way is long, the enemy is near, the air is feverish, night is falling, & the runner is faint.
bb He sees a campfire on the horizon & a tent with a banner/flag.
cc Quickly he runs, & with exhaustion puts his hand on the rope as the owner of the tent takes him in.
dd Prepares a meal/banquet, & the enemy can only look in from the outside-untouchable as long as under the hospitality of his host.
b The fugitive sits as an honored guest at the table.
aa To accept another as a guest was to set aside hatred & to assume responsibility for the safety of the guest while in your dwelling.
bb All the resources of the tent are at his disposal...under his banner!
2 In Exodus 17:15, Amelek stood in the way that God’s people were supposed to be going (Moses-prophet, Aaron-priest, Hur-layperson).
a As Joshua led the Hebrew armies against Amelek, when Moses raised his staff up (banner), the Hebrews won, when he lowered it, they lost.
b Aaron & Hur helped Moses to raise the banner (whole other sermon).
aa Banner was symbolic of the people under him identifying with YHWH.
bb Under His protection, safety
c Moses built an altar and named it The LORD is My Banner...Ex 17:15 (NASB)
B What enemy is chasing you across the plains of your life?
1 The sin of yesterday
a The temptation of today (fox/lion/passion/prayers)
b The death that awaits me tomorrow
2 There is only one tent we can touch, & in whose hospitality we find food, refuge, & rest.
a Jesus! The name above all names, King of kings, Prince of peace, Lord of lords, Lion of Judah, Good Shepherd, Alpha & Omega, Beginning & End, Rod from the stem of Jesse, Bright Morning Star, Messiah, Lamb of God, Jehovah Jireh, Shalom, Rophe, Tsidkenu,, Shammah...
b Praise Jehovah Nissi-His banner over us is love!
II "Thou hast anointed my head with oil; my cup overflows": Jehovah M’kaddesh (the Lord who sanctifies).
A The host would have a servant pour fragrant oil on his guest to refresh, restore the weary traveler.
1 See this with Mary, Martha, & Jesus in the New Testament, footwashing with Jesus & His disciples.
a Clean, ready for service, fit for use.
b Anointing is setting aside for holy purpose/work.
aa Holy instruments were used in the temple, & they had been anointed, sanctified for divine purpose/use.
bb You shall keep My statutes and practice them; I am the LORD who sanctifies you. Lev 20:8 (NASB)
2 We are not fit to be used in God’s Kingdom (we’re not holy, righteous).
a In the Psalm, the fugitive doesn’t anoint himself-the host anoints him!
b It was the host who sanctified! Jehovah M’Kaddesh
B He still sanctifies!
1 Not in us, done for us by God!
2 He saves, fills, restores...making us holy!
Conclusion
A We’ve looked at 8 Old Testament names in the 23rd Psalm:
1 Jehovah Rohi Shepherd
2 Jehovah Jireh Provider
3 Jehovah Shalom Peace
4 Jehovah Rophi Restores
5 Jehovah Tsidkenu Righteous
6 Jehovah Shammah There
7 Jehovah Nissi Banner
8 Jehovah M’Kaddesh Sanctifies
B He is the Shepherd, the God who provides, the God of peace, the God who restores, the God who is righteous, the God who is there, the banner, & the God who sanctifies.
1 "Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life"
a This plane, in the flesh
b All of these are mine now
2 AND (bonus) "I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever"
a The next plane, in the spirit
b We follow Him here-we get to join Him there
C He’s calling you to the tent/table this morning.
1 Come running to Him (Jehovah Nissi) from your enemy.
2 Come & let Him make you holy (Jehovah M’Kaddesh)
D Altar call
E Serve Lord’s Supper
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