Texts in Conversation
In Luke, Jesus tells a parable about a shepherd who leaves 99 sheep to search for one that is lost, rejoicing when it is found. Rabbinic tradition in Exodus Rabbah similarly describes Moses’ care for a stray sheep as proof of his ability to lead.
Share:
2500 BCE
1000+ CE
Luke 15:4
New Testament
1 Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming to hear him. 2 But the Pharisees and the experts in the law were complaining, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” 3 So Jesus told them this parable: 4 “Which one of you, if he has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, would not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture and go look for the one that is lost until he finds it? 5 Then when he has found it, he places it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 Returning home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, telling them, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my sheep that was lost.’ 7 I tell you, in the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need to repent.
Exodus Rabbah 2:2
Aggadah
Rabbinic
The Holy One blessed be He said: ‘One who knows how to herd the flocks, each according to its ability, will come and herd My people.’ That is what is written: “From the suckling ewes He brought him, to herd Jacob His people” (Psalms 78:71). Moses, too, the Holy One blessed be He tested him only with flocks. Our Rabbis say: When Moses, may he rest in peace, was herding Yitro’s flock in the wilderness, a kid fled from him. He pursued it until it reached cover. Once it reached cover, it happened upon a pool of water, and the kid stopped to drink. When Moses reached it, he said: ‘I didn’t know that you were running due to thirst. You are tired.’ He carried it on his shoulder and was walking. The Holy One blessed be He said: ‘You have the compassion to behave with the flocks belonging to flesh and blood in this manner; by your life, you will herd My flock, Israel.’ That is: “Moses was herding.”
Date: 1200 C.E. (based on scholarly estimates)
Tags:
Search:
Notes and References
"... The Bible uses the metaphor of shepherd to indicate a leader (Numbers 27:17). This metaphor is also used by Ezekiel in Chapter 34. When leaders did not help the people but enriched themselves at their expense, the prophet Ezekiel exclaimed (34:2-4): Woe unto the shepherds of Israel that have tended themselves [and not tended their flock]! ... According to the Midrash (Exodus Rabbah 2:2-3), Moses was selected as a leader because of his gentleness and concern for the sheep when he worked as a shepherd for Jethro. Moses was also careful when grazing the sheep making sure they never strayed into private property. This Midrash (as well as the passage in Ezekiel) is describing the servant leader, i.e., one who treats his people with great compassion and tenderness ..."
Friedman, Hershey H.
Servant Leader, Spiritual Leader: The Case for Convergence
(pp. 87-95) Journal of Leadership, Accountability and Ethics 10(2), 2013
* The use of references are not endorsements of their contents. Please read the entirety of the provided reference(s) to understand the author's full intentions regarding the use of these texts.
Your Feedback:
Leave a Comment
Anonymous comments are welcome. All comments are subject to moderation.