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Old Testament prophets are voices that prepared national Israel for the coming of their spiritual
shepherd affirming His identity in the declarations of Isiah and Ezekiel. (Is. 40:9-11, Ezk. 34:11-
15)
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David, the Psalmist and Shepherd, celebrates Jehovah as a Shepherd in the 23 Psalms and
later instructs Israel to give hear to their shepherd that will lead them. (Ps. 80:1)
John the Baptist crowns the role as the final Porter crying in the wilderness bearing witness of
the presence of the Shepherd and literally introducing Him to his disciples as the Messiah.
(John 1:15,20-25)

(John 10:5) –The sheep will hear the voice of their shepherd and the shepherd will call his sheep
by name. When a sheepfold was erected in the middle of a wilderness it generally became a
temporary resident for sheep belonging to multiple sheepherders. The porter knew the identity
of each shepherd and would allow them to enter the fold and call the sheep that belonged to
them. Only the sheep that belonged to the shepherd would respond to the shepherds’ voice
and follow him out of the sheepfold.

Sheep were condition to follow and respond to the voice of their shepherd. Sheep would not
naturally be drawn or attracted to the voice of an unfamiliar shepherd. Consequently, God
considered it un-natural for His sheep to follow or be led by other shepherds. (Ps. 119:176, Is.
53:3-7) And God expects His sheep to graze in His pasture. (Ps. 100:2-3)

John 10:6 - This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not
what things they were which he spake unto them.
John 10:7 - Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you,
I am the door of the sheep.
John 10:8 - All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the
sheep did not hear them.
John 10:9 - I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved,
and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
John 10:10 - The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to
destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it
more abundantly.

Lesson Notes:

(John 10:6) –The hidden revelations of the parable were not understood, more specifically
they were not aware that by distinguishing Himself as the Shepherd to the sheep He was
disqualifying all others that attempted to led the sheep or challenge His truth or identity.
He categorized all challengers as thieves and robbers; intent on harming the sheep of the
House of Israel. As the Shepherd He came to release them from the captive enclosure of the
sheepfold and lead them to the marketplace – a symbol of thriving life.

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