Of course, the point of having shepherds is the watch out for the sheep. There was a “roaring lion” on the loose (Rev. called it a dragon!). Interesting, Jesus told Peter in just about His last words, “Shepherd My sheep.” Now Peter, near the end of his work, passes the charge to others: “Shepherd the flock of God.”
We’ll explore good and bad shepherds in Israel’s history; and how the flock fared under them!
Another point of interest: Entering the “eternal glory” involved humility and resistance. It involved suffering, too; a suffering not unique to them. It involved “standing firm,” knowing that this was God’s grace (read: undeserved gift)!
Purging to purify had the ironic effect of making them more like their Lord than anything else. What Grace!