“Then Jacob (Israel) blessed Joseph, and said, “The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked [in faithful obedience], The God who has been my Shepherd [leading and caring for me] all my life to this day, The Angel [that is, the Lord Himself] who has redeemed me [continually] from all evil, Bless the boys…””
Genesis 48:15-16 AMP
I’ve tried to pay attention these last few days to how Jacob referred to and “named” G-d. He called Him The Fear of Isaac twice and several times he called Him The G-d of my father, Isaac, and the G-d of Abraham. But here, at the end of his life, He refers to G-d as his Shepherd. It’s become personal and intimate.
A shepherd protects, positions, and provides for his sheep. He walks among them. When they are in danger, he moves them to safety. When one is lost, he finds it and restores it to the fold. He gathers them at night. He leads them to water and to food.
A sheep KNOWS the Shepherd’s voice because they’ve spent time together in adversity and in abundance. The sheep has heard the Shepherd’s voice over and over and over again – calling their name, directing them, and maybe even singing to them.
The point is this: at the end of his life, Jacob recognized and used a personal name for the One he used to call the Fear of Isaac and the G-d of his fathers Abraham and Isaac.
G-d is about the business of getting personal with us – no matter what it takes. He will use every opportunity to draw us close to Him. He waits patiently for us when we wander. He calls out to us when we are lost and in a pit. He picks us up when we are wounded. He wants us to know HIM personally and intimately, to know and see Him as the One who cares for us above all others.
G-d is my Shepherd. Is He yours too?
Good Shepherd – forgive me for my wandering. Thank you for rescuing me more than I realize. Thank you for protecting and guiding me. Thank you for providing for me. Your leadership in my life is perfect. You are good and You can be trusted – through the good and the bad – and my heart knows that fully. Give me ears to hear Your voice and a heart to respond quickly. Amen.