The

I AM
Series
His Name in You is Great

Week 8 – Jehovah Ra’ah

Jehovah Ra’ah
(var. Rohi, Ro’eh)

The LORD Who is

your Shepherd!
 Ezekiel 34:11-16
"'For this is what the Sovereign LORD
says: I myself will search for my sheep
and look after them. As a shepherd
looks after his scattered flock when
he is with them, so will I look after my
sheep. I will rescue them from all the
places where they were scattered on a
day of clouds and darkness.
 Ezekiel 34:11-16
I will bring them out from the nations and
gather them from the countries, and I
will bring them into their own land.
I will tend them in a good pasture, and
the mountain heights of Israel will be
their grazing land. There they will lie
down in good grazing land, and there
they will feed in a rich pasture on the
mountains of Israel.
 Ezekiel 34:1-16
I will pasture them on the mountains of
Israel, in the ravines and in all the
settlements in the land. I myself will
tend my sheep and have them lie
down, declares the Sovereign LORD. I
will search for the lost and bring back
the strays. I will bind up the injured and
strengthen the weak, but the sleek and
the strong I will destroy.
 Ezekiel 34:22a,23
I will shepherd the flock with justice.
I will save my flock, and they will no
longer be plundered…
I will place over them one shepherd, my
servant David, and he will tend them;
he will tend them and be their
shepherd.
 John 10:1-15
“I tell you the truth, the man who does
not enter the sheep pen by the gate,
but climbs in by some other way, is a
thief and a robber. The man who enters
by the gate is the shepherd of his
sheep. The watchman opens the gate
for him, and the sheep listen to his
voice. He calls his own sheep by name
and leads them out.
 John 10:1-15
When he has brought out all his own, he goes
on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him
because they know his voice…”
Therefore Jesus said again, “I tell you the
truth, I am the gate for the sheep…
whoever enters through me will be saved.
He will come in and go out, and find pasture.
The thief comes only to steal and kill and
destroy; I have come that they may have
life, and have it to the full.”
 John 10:1-15
“I am the good shepherd… I know my
sheep and my sheep know me – just
as the Father knows me and I know the
Father – and I lay down my life for the
sheep.”
JESUS is declaring “I am

YAHWEH RA’AH
…the LORD, who is your shepherd."
 We’ve been looking at the NAMES of God!
GOD’S NAMES REVEAL HIS NATURE
In the past few weeks we’ve looked at several of
the names of God…
• Yahweh SHAMMAH – The Lord is PRESENT”
• Yahweh JAIRA – “The Lord is our PROVIDER”
• Yahweh SHALOM – “The Lord is our PEACE!”
• Yahweh RAPAH – “The Lord Our HEALER!”
God wants you to KNOW Him by each
of His names, to know the reality of
every part of His nature!
Today we want to look at another
one of God’s names…

YAHWEH RA’AH!
“THE LORD OUR SHEPHERD”
Yahweh RA’AH means it is part
of God’s NATURE to care for
His people as a Shepherd
cares for His sheep!
 What Does a Shepherd Do?
 Watchman –
– keeps an eye out for predators, enemies
– never lets the sheep out of his sight
– seeks out the ones who stray
 Protector –
– defends the flock and fights off raiders, looters,
prowlers, intruders, intended killers with his rod
(club)
– rescues the sheep
– willing to lay down his life for his flock (literally
and figuratively)
 What Does a Shepherd Do?
 Provider –
– feeds them
– waters them
– gives them a place of rest
 A sheep will not lie down and rest until:
– They are free of fear
– They have no social issues with the other sheep
– There are no parasites or flies around
– They have been fed
 Guide –
– clears the paths for the sheep
– tells them which direction to go
– corrects them with his staff
 What Does a Shepherd Do?
 Physician –
– tends to the sick sheep
– carries them when they are hurt or are too weak
– bandages the wounds and broken limbs
 Caregiver –
– tenderly sees to individual needs of each sheep
– concerned about the safety and welfare of every
sheep in the flock
– values all of the sheep equally
– he lives with his sheep night and day
Why Do Sheep Need a Shepherd?
 sheep can not find their way home if left to
their own devices, they will stay lost until the
shepherd finds them, even if the sheepfold
is in plain sight
 sheep have a strong instinct to follow the
sheep in front of them, even if it is not a
good “decision.” If one sheep jumps over a
cliff, the others are likely to follow!
 sheep become highly agitated if they are
separated from the flock
Why Do Sheep Need a Shepherd?
 their natural instinct is to flee and not fight
because they are completely defenseless
 sheep can easily drown if they fall in water
(if they fall on their sides or backs they can
not turn themselves over)
 sheep like personal attention
 sheep do not walk in straight lines so they
do a lot of meandering off course from the
intended destination
 Who are the Sheep, Really?
As we saw in John 10:11
Jesus himself said “I am the Good Shepherd.”
Matt. 9:36 “when Jesus saw the crowds, He had compassion
on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like
sheep without a shepherd.”

He was said to be our shepherd, and intended to give

His life for us long before Jesus came to the earth:
Isa 53:6 All of us like sheep have gone astray. Each of us
has turned to his own way; but the LORD has caused the
iniquity of us all to fall on Him.

WE ARE HIS SHEEP!

How Does Jesus Care for His Sheep?
David was said to be a
“man after God’s own heart”
As a shepherd himself he knew
very well what it took to be a
good shepherd.
Let’s take a look at Psalm 23
and some supporting scriptures
that describe the tender, loving
heart of a shepherd king
 How Does Jesus Care for His Sheep?
Psalm 23
The Lord is my Shepherd = He wants a tender loving relationship
Isa 40:11 He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the
lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead
those that are with young.

I shall not want = He gives us everything we need

Mat 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness;
and ALL these things shall be added unto you.

Php 4:19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious
riches in Christ Jesus.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures = He gives us Shalom

Isa 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast,
because he trusts in you.

Mat 11:28-29 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I
will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am
gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
 How Does Jesus Care for His Sheep?
Psalm 23

He leadeth me beside the still waters = He wants to renew

Isa 40:29-31 He gives strength to the weary and
increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired
and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those
who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run
and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

John 10:3 He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

He restoreth my soul = He wants to heal and refresh

1Pe 5:10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in
Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and
make you strong, firm and steadfast.

1Pe 2:24 by his wounds you have been healed.

 How Does Jesus Care for His Sheep?
Psalm 23

He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness = He guides

Joh 10:3-4 The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to
his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When
he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his
sheep follow him because they know his voice.

1Pe 2:24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we
might die to sins and live for righteousness

For His name sake = He gives us purpose of life

Php 3:14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has
called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

1Pe 2:21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you,
leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
 How Does Jesus Care for His Sheep?
Psalm 23

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death

I will fear no evil = He protects us in the midst of testing
Deut 31:6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them,
for the LORD your God goes with you"

For Thou art with me = He is faithful to be with us always

Josh 1:5 No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I
was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.

Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me = He protects and disciplines
2 Sa 22:2-4 He said: "The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is
my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my
stronghold, my refuge and my savior— from violent men you save me. I call to the
LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies.

Job 5:17 Blessed is the man whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of
the Almighty.

Psa 3:3 But you are a shield around me, O LORD; you bestow glory on me and lift
up my head.
 How Does Jesus Care for His Sheep?
Psalm 23

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies =

He equips us for victory
Psa 144:1-2 Of David. Praise be to the LORD my Rock, who trains my
hands for war, my fingers for battle. He is my loving God and my
fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take
refuge, who subdues peoples under me.

Thou annointest my head with oil = He consecrates us

Exo 40:15 Anoint them just as you anointed their father, so they may
serve me as priests. Their anointing will be to a priesthood that will
continue for all generations to come.“

My cup runneth over = His gives more than we need

Eph 3:20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more
than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that
is at work within us, to him be glory
 How Does Jesus Care for His Sheep?
Psalm 23
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life = He blesses us
Heb 4:16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we
may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Isa 44:3 For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will
pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants.

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord = He keeps us

Psa 37:3 Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.

Psa 101:6 My eyes will be on the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me;
he whose walk is blameless will minister to me.

Forever = that means FOREVER!

1Th 4:17 And so we will be with the Lord forever.

1Jn 2:17 The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God
lives forever.
 Who is this Shepherd in Psalm 23?
The LORD is my shepherd; Yahweh Ra’ah
I shall not want. Yahweh Jireh
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: Yahweh Ra’ah
He leadeth me beside the still waters. Yahweh Shalom
He restoreth my soul: Yahweh Rapha
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness Yahweh Tsidkenu
for His name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the Yahweh Shammah
shadow of death, I will fear no evil:
for Thou art with me;
Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me. Yahweh Ra’ah
Thou preparest a table before me in the Yahweh Sabaoth/Nissi
presence of mine enemies:
Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup Yahweh M'Kaddesh
runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me Yahweh Ra’ah
all the days of my life: and I will dwell in
the house of the LORD for ever.
Just as the sheep has nourishment according
to its nature, and this nourishment is
abundantly found for it by its shepherd, so
that it not only feeds, but then lies down in
the midst of the fodder, satiated with plenty,
and perfectly content and at ease; even so
are the people of God when Jesus Christ
leads them into the pastures of the
covenant, and opens up to them the
precious truths upon which their souls shall
be fed.
- Charles Spurgeon
 God wants you to know Him
as the Good Shepherd!

YAHWEH RA’AH
Call upon Him to lead and guide you,
to provide all your needs,
and to give you rest!