Hello Beloved,
I hope that your preparations for Christmas are going well, and you have been able to stop and reflect on the deep meaning of this season. However, as we continue our study of God and His names, we enter the discussion over the impact of Yahweh-Raah. Like many of the other names we have considered, Yahweh-Raah is a compound name including the covenant name of God, Yahweh, and a form of the word “ro’eh.” The primary meaning of “ro’eh” is to feed or lead to pasture such as with a shepherd for his flock. Sometimes, “ro’eh” is taken in a figurative way to describe the relationship between a ruler and people, priest and people, or prophet and people. Consider the Lord’s promise in Jeremiah, “And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.” Jeremiah 3:15 (ESV) Sometimes “ro’eh” is used figuratively to describe folly or judgment (Prov 15:14), and at other times it can be used to express a friend or neighbor in the context of intimately sharing life with another (Ex 33:11).
Most literally, Yahweh-Raah means “the Lord is my Shepherd.” This is one of the most sought names of God because it speaks to the intimacy and care of God, the Shepherd, for His sheep, us. In Psalm 23:1, David said, “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.” Psalm 23:1 (ESV) Consider the implications as the Lord’s name is inferred in Psalm 80:1, as Asaph writes, “Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock . . .” Psalm 80:1(ESV) Reflect on Israel’s comfort from God’s care and might in Isaiah 40;10-11, “Behold, the Lord GOD comes with might, and his arm rules for him; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young. Isaiah 40:10-11 (ESV) And finally, we contrast the false shepherds of Israel’s leadership who cared only for themselves and scattered God’s flock with the True Shepherd who cares for His sheep. Ezekiel writes:
11 “For thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out. 12 As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. 13 And I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land. And I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the ravines, and in all the inhabited places of the country. 14 I will feed them with good pasture, and on the mountain heights of Israel shall be their grazing land. There they shall lie down in good grazing land, and on rich pasture they shall feed on the mountains of Israel. 15 I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will make them lie down, declares the Lord GOD. Ezekiel 34:11-15 (ESV)
We can conclude that the name Yahweh-Raah reveals that God is a loving watchful protector and keeper of His people. This name shows that there is an intimacy in the relationship between God and His people. The name also communicates that God meets the needs of His people, and that He comforts them in time of distress and trial.
Finally, we conclude with Christ’s identification as the Good Shepherd, which is a direct connection to God’s name Yahweh-Raah. The Good Shepherd knows His sheep (John 10:15), leads His sheep (John 10:3), and lays down His life for the sheep (John 10:11). Please consider this truth as we celebrate the babe in a manger who would grow up to be our Good Shepherd.
Until next time, this is Pastor Daniel writing, May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
* Resources are from the notes of Jim Smith, professor of Brookes Bible College.