I never really knew much of anything about sheep. Anyone who doesn’t own them thinks they’re cute, cuddly, fluffy cherubs – shepherds know best! You know why, because every pastor knows that they are too much like people! They can be stubborn, helpless, uncooperative, cause horrendous damage, and just want to get away with it! Sound like someone you know?

These wool beasts are completely dependent on the type of owner or manager they have. Is he brave, selfless, devoted to the herd, or is he indifferent, careless and cowardly? Under the first, they will be healthy, flourish and prosper; under the second, they will starve and suffer terrible hardship. Interestingly, it is only the character of the shepherd that determines the health and future of these animals and no one else.

The shepherd must be willing to continually sacrifice his own comfort and need to provide appropriately for the flock. He must do all he can to find clean water, the best pastures, enough feed for the winter, and shelter from harsh weather. Without the shepherd, the sheep are like defenseless orphans, prey to any voracious beast. It is not an easy task! They need constant care. The shepherd must ensure his contentment or the flock will never do well. His lives are entirely in his hands.

Managed well, sheep enjoy a unique role in the livestock kingdom. We’ve probably all seen the cowboy movies where ranchers and herdsmen fight over the prairies. This is because sheep, under indifferent management, can overgraze and turn the land into such a wasteland that it is almost beyond repair. Paradoxically, they may also be the most advantageous animal on earth. In the days of yore, they were known as ‘the ones with the golden helmets’, due to their great benefits to the soil.

Known as ‘nature’s herbivores’, these animals consume the widest variety of herbs. They can eat toxic and invasive weeds that other animals cannot, thus eliminating all the poisonous plants that are deadly to other grasses. This saves ranchers a ton of money over the use of chemicals and machines, because even these gizmos don’t guarantee any success in destroying the weeds that choke out pretty much everything else. And that is why they are called ‘those with the golden hooves’, sheep dung is the most balanced of any other animal. It is their habit to feed on the rich lowlands and then rest on the higher ground. In doing so, they redeposit the rich nutrients of those lowlands to the less fertile uplands. Like an upside down waterfall!

No other creature removes so much deadly toxin and returns so many vital nutrients. Sheep manure is a slow release natural fertilizer, can be used as an organic mulch, has low odor and is lower in nitrogen than other manures, but at the same time is high in phosphorus and potassium, making it ideal for plants. growth.

Sure, these woolly creatures are hard to handle properly. Finding clean water can be a nightmare! Like any other animal, if they don’t get enough fresh water they become weak, tense and restless. If the herder does not provide clean water, these creatures will seek out any wells or pools of contaminated water, putting themselves at risk of contracting parasites and infectious diseases. Keeping a sheep from slaughtering itself is a full time occupation!

Something that many people find quite contradictory is in the discipline of the herd. It all has to do with them wandering around. Have you ever seen a picture of a shepherd carrying a lamb on his shoulders? It is a shepherd’s job to set boundaries for the flock. When a sheep constantly and stubbornly deviates from her protection, it will break its leg so that she cannot get away. Now he is forced to depend entirely on the tender care of the shepherds. It takes time, patience, and devotion, but a strong bond will be forged that was never there when the sheep wandered.

Opinions differ quickly here. I have read that there are those who say that this is a myth; no pastor would do such a cruel thing. But what is crueler, making sure a sheep no longer strays and stays out of danger, or is it possible to watch over it 24/7 to protect it? You can choose, but this isn’t the first time I’ve heard of this kind of discipline on a backslider, and only the faithful can do it, it’s called tough love!