Not Following a Stranger - John 10:5

The apostle John wrote how Jesus said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that enters not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that enters in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter opens; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calls his own sheep by name, and leads them out. And when he puts forth his own sheep, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice”, and in chapter ten and verse five of His book John shared how Jesus said, “a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him” where we read:

And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

The verse reads, “And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him:” John began with the words, “and a stranger” which means “and a foreigner, alien or enemy” “will they not follow” or “with the sheep in no way side with or accompany”, “but will flee from him” which means “however, nonetheless and notwithstanding the shepherd's sheep will seek safety by flight, shun, avoid and escape from the foreigner or enemy”. John shared how Jesus said the “shepherd's sheep” will not “accompany” a “foreigner or enemy” but will rather “run away” from them.

The verse continues, “ for they know not the voice of strangers.” John added the words, “for they know not” which means “because, since and on account that the shepherd's sheep are unaware, do not perceive, pay attention to or observe” “the voice of strangers” or “the sound and tone of uttered words belonging to foreigners, aliens or enemies”. John shared how Jesus said the reason the “shepherd's sheep” do not “accompany” a “foreigner or enemy” and “run” from them is because they do not “perceive, understand, pay attention to or observe” the “foreigner or enemy's” “voice”.

When we consider John's words in this verse, we learn how important the “voice” of the shepherd is to his “sheep”. “Sheep” listen to their own “shepherd”, and they know he cares for them. They know the “shepherd” will provide for them and protect them should any danger come along. Jesus desires to be the “Great Shepherd” of every person who will believe and trust in Him as their personal “Savior and Lord”. When they yield to Him, He becomes their “provider and protector” for everything they need, and He will forgive their sins and grant them everlasting life with His Father God in Heaven. Those who are wise will not hearken to the “voices” of “strangers, foreigners and enemies” and will be lead by the One who will care for them throughout their lives and eternity.

Next time John shares how Jesus, “spoke” another “parable unto them”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".