"The care of sheep is the subject of frequent allusion in
Scripture. The shepherd leads (not drives) them to pasture and
water (Ps. 23; 77:20; 78:52; 80:1); protects them at the risk of
his life (John 10:15). To keep them from the cold and rain and
beasts, he collects them in caves (1 Sam. 24:3) or enclosures built
of rough stones (Num. 32:16; Judg. 5:16; Zeph. 2:6; John 10:1).
The sheep know their shepherd, and heed his voice (John 10:4). It
is one of the most interesting spectacles to see a number of flocks
of thirsty sheep brought by their several shepherds to be watered
at a fountain. Each flock, in obedience to the call of its own
shepherd, lies down, awaiting its turn. The shepherd of one flock
calls his sheep in squads, draws water for them, pours it into the
troughs, and, when the squad has done, orders it away by sounds
which the sheep perfectly understand, and calls up another squad.
When the whole of one flock is watered, its shepherd signals to it,
and the sheep rise and move leisurely away, while another flock
comes in a similar manner to the troughs, and so on, until all the
flocks are watered. The sheep never make any mistake as to who
whistles to them or calls to them. 'They know not the voice of
strangers' (John 10:5). Sometimes they are called by names (John
10:3). Syrian sheep are usually white (Ps. 147:16; Isa. 1:18; Dan.
7:9), but some are brown (Gen. 30:32-42; Revised Version 'black').
No animal mentioned in Scripture compares in symbolical interest
and importance with the sheep. It is alluded to about five
hundred times."




The Singing Pilgrim