Wolves

[Word_Swordsman]

The idea of "wolves" in scriptures concerned any type of spiritual carnivore that "fed" upon weak progeny of a spiritual flock "flesh" or even an "unclean" herd.

The "sheep" might not always recognize the presence of "wolf" or other carnivorous species of threat, but learned to recognize threats defined by their shepherd. He could fine-tune local threats. The shepherd issued sounds the sheep or goats learned were trustworthy.

That's our clue to trust the word of God towards our safety.

 

[Leastamongmany]

The idea of "wolves" in scriptures concerned any type of spiritual carnivore that "fed" upon weak progeny of a spiritual flock "flesh" or even an "unclean" herd.

The "sheep" might not always recognize the presence of "wolf" or other carnivorous species of threat, but learned to recognize threats defined by their shepherd. He could fine-tune local threats. The shepherd issued sounds the sheep or goats learned were trustworthy.

That's our clue to trust the word of God towards our safety.

Amen!

 

[Word_Swordsman]

I don’t eat lamb.

Ya don't know what ya missin out on. Jesus and all the apostles dined on lamb. It's very tasty and healthy meat.

 

[Word_Swordsman]

We need professional pastors, teachers, theologians, people who dedicate their lives to study and
ideas, because upon this foundation we have an assured faith and understanding.

The bible is so big, no one individual can encompass it all, and all too easily complex and difficult
issues get distorted and changed which can be seen everywhere from the prosperity gospel to the
RCC.

Gods people need encouragement and proclamation in the best ways possible, using every
technology and opportunity to share the good news, God is love, and desires that we might know
this and walk in it, Amen.

The Bible can be read through entirely every 100 hours or so. We have a downtown park allowing that to happen nonstop by members of several churches every year around National Prayer Day.

Although maybe still the best selling book, the Bible remains among the least read among major works even among Christians. All who don't read it definitely fail to "encompass it all". I can determine who doesn't read it by noting their use of the Table of Contents or use of tabs, and by their silence when asked a question about where a particular passage might be found.

Just read it. Along the way, if you can't figure it out, ask God to help you. If you don't know God, ask a Bible teacher or look it up on the internet.

 

[Lanolin]

A hireling is a bad shepherd, it seems allowing false teachers or prophets in - the wolves.
I dont think they are one and the same, if going by scripture. The bad shepherd does not protect the sheep from the wolves. When the wolf comes the hireling runs away leaving the sheep vulnerable.

The wolf in sheeps clothing could actually be the hireling themselves? Can someone explain.

 

[Word_Swordsman]

A hireling is a bad shepherd, it seems allowing false teachers or prophets in - the wolves.
I dont think they are one and the same, if going by scripture. The bad shepherd does not protect the sheep from the wolves. When the wolf comes the hireling runs away leaving the sheep vulnerable.

The wolf in sheeps clothing could actually be the hireling themselves? Can someone explain.

When a shepherd is disabled or otherwise unable to tend to the flock, he is forced to hire someone with shepherding experience, or leave his flock in the care of a "porter" who keeps them safely penned up. There is nothing evil about that. It's understood the hireling can't be assumed to be as faithful to that flock, it being difficult to find one willing to give himself to a pack of wolves in the dark of evening.

We ought not devise new parables or doctrines from that such as saying a church that pays a preacher to serve has themselves an hireling in a negative sence, that he might abandon the church to false prophets.

Wolves in nature roam in packs, as one alone can be overwhelmed by native enemies, like a bull elk with great horns. A false prophet or false teacher is by parable likened to a deceiver who poses as a true minister. The idea is that of a natural wolf dressing up with a sheep's head and wool coat. Of course no natural wolf could do that. They intimidate a flock, attempting to get one of it to panic and run away from the relative safety of the flock. It's their fallen nature to seek, divide, kill and eat.

So the key idea of using a wolf in the parable is that there is possibly a human devourer who is apt to divide the congregation. That person won't feed the flock or protect it, but instead does the opposite. Besides false heresies causing damage, someone who gossips and reveals personal secrets, perhaps a person who visits hospitals to gather health issues of his or her church members, to the hurt the patients or of others can be considered a "wolf", though might not realize they are doing the opposite of what Jesus does for His flock. Not many people today try being a prophet, but some find more clever methods as busybodies or meddlers and the like.

 

[Nehemiah6]

The wolf in sheep's clothing could actually be the hireling themselves? Can someone explain.

Had evangelical and fundamental churches adhered to the true New Testament pattern of church leadership, there would have been fewer hirelings and fewer wolves.

In his final address to the elders of Ephesus Paul warned them about wolves:

ACTS 20
17 And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.
18 And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons...
28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

The New Testament pattern for churches (local assemblies of believers) was:

1. To have a plurality of elders (not one man appointed as "the pastor").

2. To have elders who meet the qualifications of elders as per Scripture.

3. The qualifications would include having men with the spiritual gifts of evangelists, pastors, and teachers, as well as ruling or government.

4. The elders would (1) feed the flock, (2) care for the sheep and guard against wolves, (3) take oversight of the spiritual welfare of all within the church. See 1 Peter 5.

5. The elders would be from within the assembly as mature Christians, well--versed in the Scriptures and doctrine, and not holding that office for personal gain.

6. As Paul exhorted the elders of Ephesus, they could expect wolves coming into their church and making mincemeat of the flock. The word "grievous" above means heavy, weighty, burdensome, violent, oppressive, savage.

7. They were therefore to be vigilant and also deal with the wolves appropriately.

But this is generally not how Christian churches operate today. Men from outside the church are hired primarily for their academic credentials, and one man is burdened with the job of being a pastor (sometimes with some assistants). Often it becomes a career rather than a calling. And in some denominations these men are there only temporarily. The focus is primarily on preaching, rather than shepherding the flock (which involves one-on-one relationships with people). And even the feeding of the flock is often superficial.

 

[Leastamongmany]

Had evangelical and fundamental churches adhered to the true New Testament pattern of church leadership, there would have been fewer hirelings and fewer wolves.

In his final address to the elders of Ephesus Paul warned them about wolves:

ACTS 20
17 And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.
18 And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons...
28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

The New Testament pattern for churches (local assemblies of believers) was:

1. To have a plurality of elders (not one man appointed as "the pastor").

2. To have elders who meet the qualifications of elders as per Scripture.

3. The qualifications would include having men with the spiritual gifts of evangelists, pastors, and teachers, as well as ruling or government.

4. The elders would (1) feed the flock, (2) care for the sheep and guard against wolves, (3) take oversight of the spiritual welfare of all within the church. See 1 Peter 5.

5. The elders would be from within the assembly as mature Christians, well--versed in the Scriptures and doctrine, and not holding that office for personal gain.

6. As Paul exhorted the elders of Ephesus, they could expect wolves coming into their church and making mincemeat of the flock. The word "grievous" above means heavy, weighty, burdensome, violent, oppressive, savage.

7. They were therefore to be vigilant and also deal with the wolves appropriately.

But this is generally not how Christian churches operate today. Men from outside the church are hired primarily for their academic credentials, and one man is burdened with the job of being a pastor (sometimes with some assistants). Often it becomes a career rather than a calling. And in some denominations these men are there only temporarily. The focus is primarily on preaching, rather than shepherding the flock (which involves one-on-one relationships with people). And even the feeding of the flock is often superficial.

Amen! Well stated!🙏

 

[Word_Swordsman]

Had evangelical and fundamental churches adhered to the true New Testament pattern of church leadership, there would have been fewer hirelings and fewer wolves.

In his final address to the elders of Ephesus Paul warned them about wolves:

ACTS 20
17 And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.
18 And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons...
28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

The New Testament pattern for churches (local assemblies of believers) was:

1. To have a plurality of elders (not one man appointed as "the pastor").

2. To have elders who meet the qualifications of elders as per Scripture.

3. The qualifications would include having men with the spiritual gifts of evangelists, pastors, and teachers, as well as ruling or government.

4. The elders would (1) feed the flock, (2) care for the sheep and guard against wolves, (3) take oversight of the spiritual welfare of all within the church. See 1 Peter 5.

5. The elders would be from within the assembly as mature Christians, well--versed in the Scriptures and doctrine, and not holding that office for personal gain.

6. As Paul exhorted the elders of Ephesus, they could expect wolves coming into their church and making mincemeat of the flock. The word "grievous" above means heavy, weighty, burdensome, violent, oppressive, savage.

7. They were therefore to be vigilant and also deal with the wolves appropriately.

But this is generally not how Christian churches operate today. Men from outside the church are hired primarily for their academic credentials, and one man is burdened with the job of being a pastor (sometimes with some assistants). Often it becomes a career rather than a calling. And in some denominations these men are there only temporarily. The focus is primarily on preaching, rather than shepherding the flock (which involves one-on-one relationships with people). And even the feeding of the flock is often superficial.

Jesus didn't set the Church up with elders as governors/rulers. He started off His apostles and disciples prepared for preaching.
Matthew 10:16-24 (KJV)
16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
17 But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;
18 And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.
19 But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.
20 For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.
21 And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.
22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
23 But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.
24 The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. (Fulfilled by Peter, et.al.)

The men (elders) of the Church were leaders, as is often today, though some churches still have a governing body similar to secular governments. Some developed their systems out of a desire to protect the congregation from a 'totalitarian' pastor seizing control, making such moves once they have their church back. Then a trend has been for some clergy to go right back into a secular model of control. All such events resulted in hundreds of denominations and many dangerous cults.

I've never met anyone "hired" to preach that was recruited from "outside the church". Surely your intent was on "from out of town", but at least Christian? Paul was certainly not tied down to a local body.

After Pentecost the settled way to go was for a congregation to exercise all the spiritual and service gifts, some being checks and balances, allowing a smooth exercise of true Christianity. The "office" of deacon was added, or all things for the purpose of serving tables while the preachers prepared sermons and did real shepherding, like Peter dealing with Ananius and Sapphira. The real power then began to spread out among the congregations rather than centralized within or without any one body. But from history I know the old Green-eyed Monster of jealousy arose, pastors again seizing control, even teaching against many of the gifts of the Spirit. They got in their way.

Now we witness the philosophically leftist swing to egalitarian congregations among mostly Protestants (maybe Catholic too) which defies the order of New Testament order.

Jesus is the model of patience. The Church needs to get back to the original, not trying to maintain governmental schemes.

 

[Nehemiah6]

Jesus didn't set the Church up with elders as governors/rulers. He started off His apostles and disciples prepared for preaching.

The Church was established on the day of Pentecost, and we are to look at developments after that, not during the ministry of Christ.

1. Jesus gave His apostles apostolic authority over the churches -- And when he [Christ] had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:
Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained. (John 20:22,23)


2. It is Jesus who directed Paul to ensure that there was a plurality of elders in every church in every city. And they were given ruling authority over the churches - Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. (Heb 13:17)

 

[Leastamongmany]

The Church was established on the day of Pentecost, and we are to look at developments after that, not during the ministry of Christ.

1. Jesus gave His apostles apostolic authority over the churches -- And when he [Christ] had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:
Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained. (John 20:22,23)


2. It is Jesus who directed Paul to ensure that there was a plurality of elders in every church in every city. And they were given ruling authority over the churches - Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. (Heb 13:17)

I believe at Pentecost the church( Bride of Christ began)!He sent the fullness of the Godhead at Pentecost!Let us let the Holy Spirit LEAD us! Amen!🙏

 

[Word_Swordsman]

The Church was established on the day of Pentecost, and we are to look at developments after that, not during the ministry of Christ.

1. Jesus gave His apostles apostolic authority over the churches -- And when he [Christ] had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:
Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained. (John 20:22,23)


2. It is Jesus who directed Paul to ensure that there was a plurality of elders in every church in every city. And they were given ruling authority over the churches - Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. (Heb 13:17)

Jesus was before the cross, and remains, the Rock upon which His body, the ecclessia (Church) is built. Christians are the building blocks set upon Him the Chief corner stone. He didn't begin with that at Pentecost, but as soon as He had a body on earth. That body was ordained at His water baptism, by the Holy Spirit, presided over by the Father who commended His Son. His gospel began the same as it is now, the message of good news. He preached it, His apostles preached it, and many disciples preached it before Pentecost. At Pentecost the Holy Spirit was made available to 120 people already in Christ, indwelling them with power for the first time. They didn't become believers that day. They were the Church Jesus died for. That spread quickly to 3,000 in one day.

The English word "rule" is not what you think. It isn't set for the elite, or the brightest theologians in the congregation, who are as you declared often inept. The best of the apostles was a naked fisherman, made into the top apostle. Paul said they should set the least esteemed among believers to judge over even the simplest matters, like brother suing brother in from of unbeliever's courts. 1 Cor 6

What's your affiliation? I'm full gospel non-denominational (also made up of inter-denominations and former world religious folks), having come by way of unbeliever, then So. Baptist by way of Billy Graham, then Charismatic, then Assemblies of God. Now I am free to preach, teach and evangelize wherever God sends me, not limited to wherever the District Superintendent authorizes me to minister. Each congregation has their own charter and are sovereign entities directly under Jesus Christ, led of the Holy Spirit, baptized in the Spirit with evidence of speaking in tongues. Most pastors have gone through Bible college or seminary, having been perfected rapidly even in their youth, not ill-equipped, but studied and not ashamed.
2 Timothy 2:14-18 (KJV)
14 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

 

[Word_Swordsman]

Jesus was before the cross, and remains, the Rock upon which His body, the ecclessia (Church) is built. Christians are the building blocks set upon Him the Chief corner stone. He didn't begin with that at Pentecost, but as soon as He had a body on earth. That body was ordained at His water baptism, by the Holy Spirit, presided over by the Father who commended His Son. His gospel began the same as it is now, the message of good news. He preached it, His apostles preached it, and many disciples preached it before Pentecost. At Pentecost the Holy Spirit was made available to 120 people already in Christ, indwelling them with power for the first time. They didn't become believers that day. They were the Church Jesus died for. That spread quickly to 3,000 in one day.

The English word "rule" is not what you think. It isn't set for the elite, or the brightest theologians in the congregation, who are as you declared often inept. The best of the apostles was a naked fisherman, made into the top apostle. Paul said they should set the least esteemed among believers to judge over even the simplest matters, like brother suing brother in from of unbeliever's courts. 1 Cor 6

What's your affiliation? I'm full gospel non-denominational (also made up of inter-denominations and former world religious folks), having come by way of unbeliever, then So. Baptist by way of Billy Graham, then Charismatic, then Assemblies of God. Now I am free to preach, teach and evangelize wherever God sends me, not limited to wherever the District Superintendent authorizes me to minister. Each congregation has their own charter and are sovereign entities directly under Jesus Christ, led of the Holy Spirit, baptized in the Spirit with evidence of speaking in tongues. Most pastors have gone through Bible college or seminary, having been perfected rapidly even in their youth, not ill-equipped, but studied and not ashamed.
2 Timothy 2:14-18 (KJV)
14 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

Consider how far back the Rock (Jesus) is plainly evident among men. He didn't become the Christ at Calvary, but was always Christ, the foundation for the Church.

1 Corinthians 10:1-17 (KJV)
1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;
2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat;
4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.
7 Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.
8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.
9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.
10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.
11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.
15 I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.
16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?
17 For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.

He goes back way before that, being Creator without beginning or end. He is the Rock of ages, the One saying to Peter the Church would build upon Himself, not upon Peter, but upon the truth of the revelation Peter received of who Jesus was, the Christ of God. Peter died and there has been no more St. Peter's reincarnated as Popes.

Beware men who would rule over you with power instead of being a living witness of Christ, leading people to Him. Be like Jesus, not some man with a forbidden title "Father" or any other high minded label. If you are an elder, you should be a leader of lowest self esteem, a servant not a master, and by that a friend of Christ, not His servant.

 

[stonesoffire]

When a shepherd is disabled or otherwise unable to tend to the flock, he is forced to hire someone with shepherding experience, or leave his flock in the care of a "porter" who keeps them safely penned up. There is nothing evil about that. It's understood the hireling can't be assumed to be as faithful to that flock, it being difficult to find one willing to give himself to a pack of wolves in the dark of evening.

We ought not devise new parables or doctrines from that such as saying a church that pays a preacher to serve has themselves an hireling in a negative sence, that he might abandon the church to false prophets.

Wolves in nature roam in packs, as one alone can be overwhelmed by native enemies, like a bull elk with great horns. A false prophet or false teacher is by parable likened to a deceiver who poses as a true minister. The idea is that of a natural wolf dressing up with a sheep's head and wool coat. Of course no natural wolf could do that. They intimidate a flock, attempting to get one of it to panic and run away from the relative safety of the flock. It's their fallen nature to seek, divide, kill and eat.

So the key idea of using a wolf in the parable is that there is possibly a human devourer who is apt to divide the congregation. That person won't feed the flock or protect it, but instead does the opposite. Besides false heresies causing damage, someone who gossips and reveals personal secrets, perhaps a person who visits hospitals to gather health issues of his or her church members, to the hurt the patients or of others can be considered a "wolf", though might not realize they are doing the opposite of what Jesus does for His flock. Not many people today try being a prophet, but some find more clever methods as busybodies or meddlers and the like.

A hireling is one who does a job only for the wages. Not because God has chosen them for an office. He flees when a wolf appears because he has no love or compassion for the sheep. You can see this by looking at the Greek.

A wolf can be a false prophet. It’s goal is destruction. Not edification.

 

[Lanolin]

A hireling is one who does a job only for the wages. Not because God has chosen them for an office. He flees when a wolf appears because he has no love or compassion for the sheep. You can see this by looking at the Greek.

A wolf can be a false prophet. It’s goal is destruction. Not edification.

Why would a shepherd be disabled and 'forced' to hire someone. Isnt the point of being a shepherd that they actively look after the sheep themselves, not hire someone else to do it!

I agree that hirelings only do the job for the wages, they dont 'own' the sheep, or in other situations, the company, they have no say in anything and little authority.
Jesus never paid his disciples to do ministry. And he gave them his authority, and said to them feed my sheep, feed my lambs. Was he disabled and forced to hire anybody? We ll he did get crucified, but before that the disciples were not even paid, and it was only Judas who did it for the money because he was the treasurer and stole from the bag. The wolves in this case would be the Pharisees?

 

[Magenta]

A hireling is one who does a job only for the wages. Not because God has chosen them for an office. He flees when a wolf appears because he has no love or compassion for the sheep. You can see this by looking at the Greek.

A wolf can be a false prophet. It’s goal is destruction. Not edification.

The goal of destruction is clearly seen when some use the opportunity of denying of what Scripture explicitly states to slander those who uphold the revealed written Word of God. Such people are wolves in sheep's clothing.

 

[Word_Swordsman]

American Indians in the NW are big on sheep. Working for the USFS two seasons of firefighting, between fires we mended range fences. We dealt with ranchers cutting fences to allow their sheep to graze on Indian reservation range, which was always far better managed, never over-grazed.

When the Indian flocks were present, the sheep numbered in the hundreds to low thousands. That required a dozen or so shepherds. The reservation Council owned the sheep, paying men to tend to the sheep. We never found a "hireling" run from trouble, but all carried rifles to pick off coyotes and an occasional wolf or bear that couldn't be deterred by sound machines. There were several methods of discouraging predators. They respected all life, but chose sheep over other species.

Western art shows a single shepherd guarding his dozen sheep. David slew his predators, but we don't know how many sheep were left in his care as a youth. Those might have been typical until you read in the Bible of much higher numbers of sheep and other domesticated animals under one ownership. You can't tell me there was always one solitary shepherd guarding hundreds or thousands of sheep, he alone devoted to his death. The shepherd-owner had help as the numbers increased, and certainly so when having the sheep on a multi-day route and subject to packs of wolves. Shepherds are sometimes counted in the multiples in scriptures (1 Sam 25 for one account). They not only protected from predators, but from thieves. They banded together, mixing their sheep, yet able to reassemble them by their voices. So which would be the true shepherd willing to lay his life down? if that true shepherd yields his life, who takes over? That would necessitate putting a replacement shepherd into the field, or probably result in loss of the entire flock.

Aside from most people not having knowledge of the world of shepherds, I will move on to say that Jesus wasn't directly relating a youthful shepherd to a tiny flock as a pattern for the Church.

The prevailing concern of God throughout Israel's history was the issue of spiritual shepherds not feeding their sheep. He went on the attack against Israel's spiritual "shepherds", not against keepers of animal sheep. His parables were not directly teaching about the ways of predators like wolves, but of men who have hearts like wolves, who entered among the congregations of God as spiritual predators with selfish plans.

The wolves we are warned about are those modernists who teach false heresies that defy written scriptures, such as allowing gays or lesbians to minister alongside known adulterers and other unrepentent sinners described in scriptures. People are deceived by subtle false doctrines which are false by any degree at all. It's a bite here, another there.

 

[theanointedwinner]

we have two nature, the flesh and the spirit
therefore, we have two nature, the wolf (flesh) and the sheep (spirit)

if my interpretation is wrong, please correct me, and thank you

 

[Word_Swordsman]

The goal of destruction is clearly seen when some use the opportunity of denying of what Scripture explicitly states to slander those who uphold the revealed written Word of God. Such people are wolves in sheep's clothing.

AMEN. Those opposed to paying a living to ministers in the sense of "hirelings" or whatever sense, are wolves who damage the ability of congregations to expect anyone to give up a living to be their preacher.

1 Corinthians 9:13-14 (KJV)
13 Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?
14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.

The ancient priests, and the tribe of Levites, made their living from the religion. That was ordained by God. He also ordained the same manner of a living for Christian ministers who attend the altar of God for the Church, who attend it by preaching the gospel.

 

[Word_Swordsman]

we have two nature, the flesh and the spirit
therefore, we have two nature, the wolf (flesh) and the sheep (spirit)

if my interpretation is wrong, please correct me, and thank you

You might still have the wolf nature, but should have died to it at your encounter of Jesus at the cross of Christ. You may not return from that with that old wolf nature, and call yourself a follower of Christ.