O.T. Shepherds, 1of6

~ Abel: A Sacrificed Shepherd ~

Series Prologue  ~  There are at least five Old Testament shepherds who were clear “types” of Jesus Christ—our shepherd.  A type is like a faint image or shadow of the true item.  In each of these cases we can see parallels to our Great Shepherd. 

Sample Scripture  ~  “Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, and said, ‘I have acquired a man from the Lord.’  Then she bore again, this time his brother Abel.  Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.  And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the Lord.  Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat.  And the Lord respected Abel and his offering, but He did not respect Cain and his offering.  And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell.  So the Lord said to Cain, ‘Why are you angry?  And why has your countenance fallen?  If you do well, will you not be accepted?  And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door.  And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.’  Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him.  Then the Lord said to Cain, ‘Where is Abel your brother?’  He said, ‘I do not know.  Am I my brother's keeper?’ (Genesis 4:1-9).

“Therefore you are witnesses against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets.  Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers’ guilt.  Serpents, brood of vipers!  How can you escape the condemnation of hell?  Therefore, indeed, I send you prophets, wise men, and scribes: some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city, that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.  Assuredly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation” (Matthew 23:31-36).

Hints Of The Coming Messiah  ~  First, and foremost we see Abel as a shepherd who gave his life through shed blood.  This was done by his own brother who rejected him.  His brother Cain (a picture of Israel) was banished from his homeland and as a result wandered in other nations.  God in His grace preserved him from his enemies. 

Abel died at the hands of his own brethren.

His brethren were scattered around the world.

His brethren were divinely preserved over the centuries. 

God had marked this nation as a special people of His own.

In a future date the nation will be a special exhibit of God’s grace. 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .

Question – Jesus, 41

~  Regarding Fragments ~

Introduction  ~  This series is about questions involving Jesus.  Some were asked by individuals involved with Jesus Christ while He walked on earth.  Others are questions that Jesus Christ asked others.  We will look at questions on about 130 topics (some may split into two or more posts).  Even so, it is far from an exhaustive list. 

Scripture  ~  “And He left them, and getting into the boat again, departed to the other side.  Now the disciples had forgotten to take bread, and they did not have more than one loaf with them in the boat.  Then He charged them, saying, ‘Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.’  And they reasoned among themselves, saying, ‘It is because we have no bread.’  But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, ‘Why do you reason because you have no bread?  Do you not yet perceive nor understand?  Is your heart still hardened?  Having eyes, do you not see?  And having ears, do you not hear?  And do you not remember?  When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments did you take up?’  They said to Him, ‘Twelve.’  ‘Also, when I broke the seven for the four thousand, how many large baskets full of fragments did you take up?’ And they said, ‘Seven.’  So He said to them, ‘How is it you do not understand’?” (Mark 8:13-21).

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .

Mom

~ Everyone Owes a Debt To Their Mom ~

Introduction  ~  Everyone of us have a Mother!  For most of us we have fond memories of our experiences with “Mom.”  Unfortunately, for some mom is not a good memory.  Perhaps they were abandoned, unloved, or other difficult issues to deal with.  But everyone owes the appreciation to the mom who brought them into this world full of anticipation and excitement. 

Reality  ~  Being a mom and tackling the related huge responsibilities is not only challenging but a God-given opportunity to have more effect on young person’s future than any other person.  Unfortunately, sometimes, regardless of best practices and best efforts results do not work out as planned. 

Mother’s Day  ~  Some will be with their moms.  Others have fond memories of their Mom who has passed on.  Some moms will be grieving a child who has wandered away or passed before their time.  Motherhood is a God-given opportunity and responsibility.  Leave the results with the sovereign God.  He knows your joy, and He knows your pain. 

Critical Difference  ~  There are many careers but a mom has a job that is unceasing and unending.  Reflect on the truth of the statement, “a mother’s job is never done.”

Action Step  ~  Not only enjoy your children but also reach out to those moms who are hurting.  Also, reach out to those who wanted to be a mom—but never saw it come to reality.  Also, how about reaching out to those children you may know who are missing out on a normal relationship with their mom.  If you are hurting, thank God for life and the blessings you do have. 

Normal (not necessarily average)  ~  “She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness.  She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.  Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her” (Proverbs 31:26-28).

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .