Have you ever given much thought to “the oldest profession?” When this phrase comes to our ears, our thoughts generally go one of two directions, and admittedly, both directions are nowhere near the right direction one could be going. When one considers the phrase “the oldest profession,” one may think of either witchcraft or prostitution. There is a third direction one should consider and when one may (or may not) sift through the reasons witchcraft or prostitution may try elaborate in order to lay claim to the title, suddenly it becomes clear how these two actually make a mockery of what is the truest and oldest profession, which is shepherding, also called “pastoring.”
The pastor, or shepherd, is the first profession mentioned in scripture. When Adam was created, God said man was to “rule over the fish of the sea and over birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” (Gen 1:26). This nebulous task is seen as manageable when we find God bringing all the beasts of the field and every bird of the sky to man in order for man, who was created in God’s image, to be creative with language as God created with language (Gen 2:19).
Adam’s children are named alternatively in Genesis 4, but Abel is first to be named with a profession, namely, as “a keeper of flocks” (Gen 4:2). E.M. Blaiklock elaborates: "Abel . . . was the first shepherd, that ancient stock of the nomad hinterlands which was to produce some of the best men of the Bible, and who age-old calling was to provide imagery in Scripture from the days of Moses’ training to Psa. 23, and the Lord Himself (John 10). Like some humble shepherd of the wilderness, Abel slips into the story, makes his offering, and meets his fate."
[1]Though other tasks begin to be called out as men begin to multiply over the face of the earth, such as Cain the ground-tiller (4:3) and Enoch the city-builder (4:17), Jabal is called “the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock” (4:20). One does not need to read much further to find Noah, the great herdsman, bringing animals by sevens and twos (Gen 7:2-3). Indeed, shepherding, per se was a respectable, notable profession.
[2]Blaiklock correctly stated that shepherding is prominent of the men of scripture. Shepherding is mentioned of the Patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. It was to shepherding brothers Joseph came a-dreaming (Gen 37:2) and it was with a goat that Judah both deceived his father (Gen 37:31-32) and was found out (Gen 38:17-25). The priest of Midian had Moses-attracting flock-tending daughters (Ex. 2:16-17), and it was while he was watching sheep that Moses was confronted by God (Ex. 3:1). Though shepherds do not cease their parade here with Moses, there is a noticeable shift in how scripture includes them.
Shepherds are called an abomination to Egyptians (Gen 46:34; Jer 43:12), and the Rock of Israel (Gen 49:24). The Lord is my Shepherd (Ps. 23; Jer 50:44) who cares and feeds with gentleness (Isa 40:11) and leads Joseph like a flock (Ps. 80:1; Isa 63:11) and keeps them (Jer. 31:10) . Shepherds words are called wise (Ecc 12:11) and some make wise use of their tools (1 Sa 17:40). David and Cyrus are called “shepherds” (Isa 44:28; Ezek 34:23-24).
A shepherd feeds (Ps 23:1) and protects his sheep (Ezek 34:8; Am 3:12). Jesus shows how the shepherd is the door for His sheep (Jn 10:2), is good and knows his flock and leads his sheep (10:12, 14, 16). The Chief Shepherd lays down his life for sheep and shepherd (Matt 26:31; Mark 14:27).
The fish gatherer writes how the chief flock gatherer is the overseer of the soul (1 Pe 2:25) and is going to return (1 Pe 5:4) to give reward and rule (Rev. 19:15).
A shepherd is needed. The people of God have been without a shepherd (Nu 27:17) and have been scattered on the hills (1 Ki 22:17; 2 Ch 18:16).
Someone needs to gather them in. When sheep are un-flocked, they are food to the world (Ez 34:5).
Someone needs to go get them. The flock is in danger because shepherds are looking out for themselves (Ezek 34:8) and are considered worthless (Zech 13:7). The sheep are tired and scattered (Matt 9:36) because the shepherd is fearful and faithless (John 10:12).
Is it any wonder that the world has made a mockery out of the oldest profession? When the flock is led astray by false shepherds, they are led to death and destruction. Fear is their shepherd and God is not. Men feel like they must win the power struggle so they manipulate the powers. Men must feel good about themselves so they prostitute themselves.
Flocks aren’t being protected by the man at the door—seeker sensitivity is de-sensitizing and wolves are getting in. Flocks aren’t safely grazing and watered but are given the Atkins Gospel—a quick shake of the can, a power bar and “there you go, see you next week.” Wanderers aren’t being sought after and cared for—just slap a band-aid on the wound and open it up frequently to remember it is there—who needs healthy sheep?
Shepherding—the hardest profession.
[1] Blaiklock, E.M. Handbook of Bible People. Scripture Union: London, 1979.
[2] Packer, Tenny and White. The Bible Almanac. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1980.
