Sheep, Goats and Wolves…Flocks, Trips and Packs
5 minute read
Many years ago we owned Alaskan Malamutes (pictured above). People would see us walking them and ask about these beautiful ‘wolf’ like dogs. I gradually developed an interest in wolves and even visited a wolf-dog sanctuary during a Canadian holiday. Coming from Australia this was the closest I would ever get to such an animal in real life!
Yet, in church, wolves (false teachers) are a constant danger. Although I’m no animal expert, some basic research reveals how God uses His own creation to perfectly illustrate church life. So let’s consider a Flock of Sheep (believers), a Trip of Goats (unbelievers) and a Pack of Wolves (false teachers/unbelievers).
Sheep
Psalm 23 is the classic scene of our Lord as Shepherd leading His flock to green pastures and still waters. Sheep are docile creatures, easily frightened and prefer the security of a flock. A frightened sheep will run, but it’s much easier to catch them if they’re part of a flock (Luke 15:4-7).
It’s also easier for shepherds to lead sheep via gentle curved paths. As the shepherd disappears around the corner the sheep keep moving so they don’t lose sight of him. Sheep are more aware of danger on a straight path and get frightened rather than trust the shepherd. Sheep also need to take more care going downhill. The design of their body means they can lose their balance easily (Psalm 94:18). Oh, how our Lord knows how to look after His sheep through the mountains and valleys of life!
Sheep have good hearing – the Bible tells us they recognise the shepherds voice (John 10:27). Even the placement of their eyes is important. When standing upright their sense of depth perception is reduced…meaning they don’t like deep water or the dark (1 Peter 2:9)! But when grazing (Psalm 119:105), they have the best field of view for predators…we need to stay in the Word to be at our most alert and discerning.
When it’s time to enter the sheep pen, the shepherd must only enter via the gate (John 10:2), never over the rails as it scares them (John 10:1). Long and narrow pens are better – too wide an entrance and sheep won’t enter in an orderly way (Matthew 7:13-14). Lastly, just as God prunes the dead fruit from our lives (John 15:2), shepherds shear their sheep so that they can move unencumbered.
Goats
How apt that a group of goats is also called a ‘Trip’ – unbelievers often trip us up!
Goats are naturally more independent and curious than sheep. They readily wonder off, preferring space over a tightly knit flock. They are also more likely to scatter when there is danger and will use their climbing ability to escape. Yet, a goat herd is hierarchical. The leader (a male or older female) will find its way into the pen and the others follow.
Their diet is vastly different to sheep. While sheep ‘graze’ and eat selectively from plants closer to the ground, goats ‘browse’, preferring shrubs and small trees. Because they can climb they access all manner of food. Goats may eat a lot, but they can be picky. Likewise an unbeliever, or even an immature believer, may readily reject parts of God’s Word they consider unpalatable. An unwise shepherd may instead reduce the sheep food in order to accommodate the increasing demands of the goats…ever been to a seeker sensitive church?
Wolves
These predators hunt in organised territorial packs and may even turn on each other if food is scarce. While the sheep are resting at night, the wolves are awake searching for prey. They are built for endurance, travelling long distances for food and across terrain that sheep would be vulnerable in. Wolves are resilient and adaptable to their environment – hence the ‘wolf in sheep’s clothing’ analogy (Matt 7:15; Acts 20:29).
Their main food source are hoofed animals e.g. sheep (Matthew 10:16). They eat quickly (‘wolf’ down their prey), because they don’t know when their next meal will be. Wolves are cunning too. They kill the most vulnerable prey first, leaving the healthier prey to reproduce, resulting in a constant food source for the wolf and its pups…sneaky!
We are warned never to turn our backs on wolves if we fear an attack. Instead we must face them, maintain eye contact and aggressively detract them with things like rocks or loud noises! If we’re camping, it’s important we keep the campsite clean.
Dont let goats TRIP you up. Don’t let wolves send you PACKing…
God wants His people to be shepherded and cared for. We need Good Shepherd (John 10:11) to protect us through the paths of life. We don’t want the hired hand (John 10:12) who runs away at the first sign of trouble. Believers need to be protected from the unbelievers who muscle into a church and cause upset by refusing to follow the shepherd’s lead and demanding their own diet. We must also aggressively defend ourselves from false teaching. Just as sheep know their shepherd’s voice, so too wolves know each others howls. How many false teaches stick together? We mustn’t run away or ignore the danger. Instead we put on the armour of God (Ephesians 6:10-18) and face our enemy. The church, like the camp site, needs to be kept clean to avoid bringing in the evil from the outside. We can only do all this in the strength, care and protection of our Good Shepherd and Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4), the Lord Jesus. This then enables us to run our race alongside and with our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ AND with the earthly shepherds (Pastors/Elders) He has given us.
