Meant for GoodSample

Rest in the Shepherd

Read: Genesis 48:1-22

Discover

As Jacob nears the end of his life, he is told that Joseph has come to visit him. In this tender moment, Jacob recounts God’s faithfulness, specifically the covenant promises to make his descendants a great nation. He adopts Joseph’s two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, and blesses them as his own. While Joseph attempts to place the blessing of the firstborn on Manasseh, the elder, Jacob is led by the Spirit to bless Ephraim, the younger, with the greater portion. This moment reveals not only God’s sovereign plan but also Jacob’s growing understanding of God’s care throughout his life.

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In blessing Joseph’s sons, Jacob says something remarkable about God. In the CSB version, Jacob states “The God who has been my shepherd all my life long to this day,” (Genesis 48:15). This is the first time in Scripture that God is referred to as a Shepherd, and it is a testimony born out of Jacob’s life experience.

Jacob’s story is one of wandering. From fleeing his brother Esau to wrestling with God, to struggling in family relationships, Jacob’s path is not driven out of obedience to the Lord. He is prone to wander. Yet, as Jacob reflects on his life, he recognizes a deeper truth: God has been his Shepherd, guiding him through every step, even in his straying. Despite Jacob’s shortcomings, God is with him and never abandons him. Like a faithful Shepherd, God pursues him, provides for him, and leads him through every trial and blessing.

Shepherds are not distant or detached; they are intimately involved in the daily care of their sheep. They know the sheep by name, protect them from danger, and gently lead them to places of rest and nourishment. In calling God his Shepherd, Jacob acknowledges not only God’s protection but also His constant presence and provision in every circumstance.

Jacob’s life, like ours, is marked by moments of failure, fear, and confusion. Yet God remains steady. Even when Jacob wanders, God leads him back, offering grace and guidance. The image of God as a Shepherd reminds us that, though we too are prone to wander, God’s care for us is unshakable. His faithfulness to lead us is not dependent on our performance but on His steadfast love.

Apply

Jacob’s words challenge us to reflect on how God has been our Shepherd, even when we have been unaware of His leading. Just as Jacob looked back on his life and saw the hand of God in every moment, we can trust that God is with us in every season. Even when we stray, God is faithful to guide us back to His fold. He does not abandon us to our wandering; instead, He shepherds us with love and grace. Seeing God as our shepherd also invites us to trust more fully in God’s care. We live in a world that prizes independence, yet sheep are dependent on the shepherd for their survival. When we acknowledge that we are like sheep, prone to wander, vulnerable, and in need of constant guidance, we open ourselves to receive the tender care of our Shepherd, who leads us beside still waters and restores our souls (Psalm 23:2-3). In what areas of your life are you prone to wander, relying on your own strength or direction? How can you more fully trust in God’s guidance, knowing that He has been your Shepherd all along and that He leads you even in your wandering?