Levels of Pastoring!

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It was enlightening to learn that there probably was a massive administrative system that involved many different levels of shepherding in the ancient near east (pg. 43). We have the ‘administrative heads’ and then under them the ‘chief contractors’ (Heb. Nagid) and under them are the ‘actual shepherds’ (Heb. Roeh). The author shows us that ‘Nagid’ is God’s perspective of Israel’s ruler – a prince who is the chief contractor who enforces the ultimate rules of the owner of the flock. This is the ideal shepherd of his people. God calls Saul to this position and then later on calls David to fill this role of the Nagid – the ideal shepherd. From 2 Sam. 5:2, Laniak proves that this was God’s intention for those who rule his people, where David is called both the Roeh and the Nagid over Israel (pg. 102). God’s chosen rule must infact shepherd his people by being responsive to the words of the owner (God) through his prophets. This is eye-opening concerning the role of who a pastor is and what a pastor must do. Although he is a leader, he is a shepherd who must lead according to God’s rules and a shepherd that must feed the flock with the word of God. Pastors are shepherd leaders!