Shepherds: A dying breed?

(Good Shepherd)

Although it costs far more to shepherd animals from pasture to pasture than it does to coop them up in barns, many Spaniards are determined to keep their "centuries-old sheep rearing traditions" alive.

And well they must – for if they don't, biblical passages such as these might one day have no frame of reference:

He will feed his flock like a shepherd.  He will gather the lambs in his arm, and carry them in his bosom.  He will gently lead those who have their young.   (Isaiah 40:11)  

Before him all the nations will be gathered, and he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.  

(Matthew 25:32)

I am the good shepherd.  The shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.   

(John 10:11)

Such an ancient art and tradition is certainly worth defending.  That could be why Spanish shepherds recently took to the streets of Madrid – along with 2,000 of their closest wooly friends.  Harold Heckle of the Associated Press reported that these shepherds "led a large flock of sheep through central Madrid… in defense of ancient grazing, migration and droving rights threatened by urban sprawl and modern agricultural practices."

Amen to that.  King David would be nothing but proud.

Resources

http://news.msn.com/world/2000-sheep-led-through-streets-of-spains-capital-1

http://biblesuite.com/s/shepherd.htm

Copyright October 29, 2012 by Linda Van Slyke   All Rights Reserved