Sheep/Goat Devotion

   That verse is one I’ve wondered about.  I thought that going to see goats and sheep and discussing their characteristics would help me understand this separation.  Of course I understand the part about judgment, that Jesus will judge us, all of us.  I get that.  I just don’t get the sheep and goat part.  What makes a person more goat-like or sheep-like and why are those traits more desirable for God’s kingdom?

   Both animals are used for food, milk, leather, yarn, grass control, etc.  Both were used for sacrifices for sins as part of worship service described by God himself in Exodus and elsewhere in the Bible.  So both are valuable parts of God’s creating, used as part of God’s plan.

Which of these characteristic pairs do we, generally, value over the other?

                Self-sufficient                                                     Needy

                Be the leader                                                     Follow the leader

                Company? Can take it or leave it                  Social

                Fearless                                                               Fearful

                Adventurer                                                         Shy

                Charge ahead                                                    Wait for instruction

   To be honest, I prefer most of the “goat” traits - self-reliant and sufficient, leading rather than needing to be led. I can be with people or not.  Fearful is tiresome for me.  

   There are stories of sheep being found after being lost a long time.  In one case they sheared 89 pounds – 30 sweater’s worth - of wool from the sheep.  Sheep obviously need a shepherd.

   When talking to young farmer about goats, he repeatedly said that goats are stupid.  I think he means they don’t listen to him.  They escape. They eat anything in front of them. They generally create problems for the shepherd.  Another friend who has goats mentioned that even though they have a large pasture, they crowd the fence and strain to get to the other side – like it is better over there. Does any of that sound familiar to your life or any of your loved ones?  My hand is up – I am guilty!

   The sheep NEED the shepherd.  There were times when Jesus spent time with those who others might consider as causing trouble for the shepherd, the people wanting healing, even on the Sabbath, people following him around like groupies but not participating in his ministry.

   I can only guess that Jesus looks at things differently from most of us. Isaiah 55:8 says “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD.  I can only figure that God wants those who listen, learn, respect authority.

   Another thing I learned: They can look alike!  Here is a sheep  

Yep, a sheep, An African Damara Sheep. 

Here is another sheep:

And here is a goat!!!  Yep, Angora wool comes from goats, not sheep!

   I learned two things while preparing for this sheep/goat visit that might be pertinent. One is that sheep NEED the shepherd.  The other may be that God knows the heart.  These animals are so similar that they are hard to pick out looking at pictures. But God knows the heart. He knows what He wants from us.  One of the most repeated messages I get from the whole Bible is obedience.  That is one thing that sheep are good at. They follow the leader, even when it doesn’t make sense to do so.  That is probably the lesson for us.  Be sheep – follow the Leader.  Obey as God calls. 

~From Our BE Ministry Sister,                                                                                                            Sherri Harding