- BIBLE STUDY OF PSALM 23:4-6 KJV
READ PSALM 23:4 KJV
This verse in Psalm 23 meant so much to me when I was going through chemo. It took me a while to realize I was not in the valley of death but in the valley of the shadow of death. The path I am on is the path my shepherd choose for me. It may lead to my death, but it may lead to life, it is my shepherd’s choice. It is the right path. What do I have to fear?
For where there is a shadow, there must be light. I realized that death is standing on the side of the path my shepherd choose for me. The light of my shepherd shines on death causing a shadow across my path. Nobody is afraid of a shadow, a shadow cannot stop me, the shadow of a dog cannot bite me, the shadow of a gun cannot kill me, and the shadow of death has no power over me. I will fear no evil! There are shadows of evil all around us. With our eyes on JESUS our LORD and Savior, he will keep us from evil or be with us through it. “For thou art with me!” WHAT DO I HAVE TO FEAR?
The last part of this verse is “Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me”. The shepherd’s “rod”, is a tool he uses every day. It is used for counting his sheep, guiding his sheep, and protection. The staff (like we think of, it has a hook on the end”). It is used much in the same way as the rod. For guidance and protection, what makes it different is the hook, it can be used to rescue a sheep, to hook him and pull him to safety, but also to pull predators from attacking the sheep. The shepherd has many tools to guide and protect his flock, just as JESUS has infinite power to guide and protect us.
I want to end our study of this verse with additional scriptures about shadows, light, and paths. The first verse is from John 1:1-5-9 KJV;
” In HIM was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. That was the true light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.”
The second verse, Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV, is my life verse, I have memorized it so I would have it always with me
“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge HIM, and HE shall direct thy paths.” (PLURAL)
It is amazing in this verse paths are plural. This reaffirms our study of different paths. We are all on different paths, every one of us is different, but we are all the same. JESUS has paths for each of us if we make Him our LORD and Savior. He then becomes our Shepherd and will lead us in the paths of righteousness.
READ PSALM 23:5
This verse reminds us that GOD will provide for our needs even in the presence of our enemies. Notice first, it is GOD who prepares the table. God is showing himself as the one who is personally concerned and involved with providing for our needs. I find it humbling to realize that the creator of heaven and earth, takes time to personally care for me, my every need. Like I am the only person on earth. HE is MY SHEPHERD! This table is a complete meal, nothing is lacking, and it’s perfect, look WHO prepared it. Remember GOD knows what we need before we do, those needs are there on the table prepared by the GOOD SHEPHERD. The table represents nourishment both physical and spiritual. “In the presence of my enemies”. Satan, his demons, and evil shadows are all around us. But we can sit down at the table with JESUS in peace and safety, HE is our GOOD SHEPERD. I want you to read the account of the feeding of the five thousand in Mark. Pay close attention to how Jesus describes the people, where he has them sit, and who prepares the meal. I think you will see this in a different light, JESUS is following the pattern in Psalm 23.
READ MARK 6:31-44
Who lead them to a deserted place and why? JESUS.Verse 31, there were many coming and going and no place to rest, they needed a place of security. Remember Palms 23:1-4. How did JESUS view the people? Verse 34, “they as sheep not having a shepherd”. Who planned and prepared the meal? JESUS, JESUS planned this meal long before the disciples and the crowd knew they were hungry and had nothing to eat. Remember “Thou preparest a table before me”. Where did JESUS have them sit? Verse 39, “HE commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon the GREEN GRASS”. Who served the meal? Jesus, verse 41 “He looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them—and two fishes divided HE among them all”. The feeding of the 5 thousand was a Devine appointment, the GOOD SHEPHERD leading his sheep, giving them rest and security, feeding them both physically and spiritually, and blessing them to the point “my cup runneth over”.
The last part of verse 5 says: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. In Old Testament times it was customary to anoint the honored guest. We are the honored guest at the table prepared by our good shepherd. We are so blessed that the blessing overflows our cup.
READ PALMS 23:6
Annie Johnson Flint (a Christian poet who lived in the mid-1800) wrote;
HIS love has no limit,
HIS grace has no measure,
HIS power has no boundary known unto men:
For out of HIS infinite riches
HE giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.
Our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS Christ is the key to eternal joy and happiness. If you know HIM as your SHEPHERD you will spend eternity in heaven with him.
I want to close this study with one last look at another meal in the New Testament. The communion. I believe it is the most sacred part of worship, given to us by JESUS, to draw us near to HIM and remember what HE did for us.
READ LUKE 22:8-22
Who sent Peter and John? JESUS
Who had prepared the way and the last supper (Passover)?
JESUS, His disciples questioned JESUS, “Where wilt thou that we prepare?”
Everything was prepared, Just as JESUS had said. We know this as the last supper. But to the Jews, it was Passover, the time when the Israelites put blood over the door post, so death would PASSOVER, sparring the firstborn. During this time there was 4 feast going on at the same time. Sabbath, Unleavened bread, Passover, and the feast of the First Fruits. There are 7 Holy feasts celebrated by Jews found in Leviticus 23. All these feasts point to JESUS, birth, death, and resurrection.
Who sat at the last supper?
Jesus and the twelve disciples. The Passover meal is very involved in ritual and symbolism, it usually takes about 2 hr. to complete. At the last supper, JESUS add something to this meal, COMMUNION. JESUS institutes the HOLY COMMUNION.
REREAD LUKES 22: 18-19
- The Passover meal is conducted by a Rabbi, who serves each portion of the meal. This includes 4 glasses of wine served during the meal.
- JESUS serves the bread and wine at the last supper communion.
REREAD LUKE 22:19
During the feeding of the 5 thousand JESUS broke the bread and gave thanks, here HE does the same. The disciples had no idea what JESUS meant when he said “This is my body”, but we today know fully what JESUS meant. In a few hours, HIS body would be broken for us.
REREAD LUKE 22:20
Verse 20 starts with the word “likewise” meaning during the same time. Then it says after supper meaning after the Passover meal. JESUS then added the HOLY COMMUNION. Serving the bread and wine in addition to the Passover meal. JESUS is telling the disciples and us that the New Covenant is sealed with HIS Blood. All covenants in the bible are sealed with blood. The O/T with the blood of animals, The N/T with the Blood of JESUS the CHRIST. As JESUS hung on the cross as the sacrificial lamb for our sins. They paraded past ridiculing and mocking HIM. I can’t imagine how bad the physical pain was. I have no words to express my thoughts on how much spiritual and emotional pain and grief Jesus felt then and now today, as they paraded past ridiculing and mocking and rejecting HIM. HIM knowing this was done for you. This brings me back to the poem by Annie Johnson Flint;
HIS love has no limit,
HIS grace has no measure,
HIS power has no boundary known to men:
For out of HIS infinite riches in JESUS
HE giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
HE maketh me to lie down in green pastures: HE leadeth me beside the still waters.
HE restoreth my soul: HE leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
AMEN AMEN
