writtten by: Pro Staffer Fred Bennett
photo: A farmers free roaming sheep in the mountains of Colorado @ 11,000 feet
"Many bulls have surrounded me: strong bulls of Bashan have encircled me. They gape at me with their mouths. For dogs have surrounded me, the congregation of the wicked has enclosed me. They pierced my hands and my feet." (Psalm 22:12,16–NKJV)
Life Point:
My Granddad was a sheep farmer. When I was 6, he gave me a young buck lamb, that I named Buckie. Our own barn was not yet built, so we fixed him a secure pen for grazing and protection, high enough that neighborhood dogs could not get in. Returning from a weekend trip, we were shocked to find Buckie dead in the middle of his pen. Crying over my dead lamb, I asked Dad what could've happened? He was as puzzled as I was. There was no blood, no sign of attack on Buckie's body, not even a track of any kind inside his pen.
Finally, Dad called me to the outside of the pen. There in the mud, running parallel to the fence, were the prints of a pack of wild dogs that had raced around the outside of Buckie's pen. All evidence pointed to a scenario where the dogs most likely ran him to death, as they were barking and growling at the innocent lamb–without ever actually touching him.
The Messiah's words, recorded by David in Psalm 22, prophetically refer to His suffering at the hands of "bulls and dogs" (sinners, i.e. all of us) who circled Him, pierced His hands and feet, scorned Him, divided His garments, and put His bones out of joint–without ever actually touching him. Paul reminded us that "Christ died for (because of) our sins, according to the Scriptures." (I Cor. 15:3). It's up to us to confess that we killed the Lamb–as guilty sinners repenting of our sins and trusting in His death as our only payment for sin.
Isaiah assures those who believe, that "By His knowledge (literally 'knowledge of Him'), My Righteous Servant shall justify many, for He shall bear their iniquities." (53:11)
Field Point:
Physical conditioning before hunting or hiking, is very important. Toning muscles to carry a pack and rifle, or drag a deer; walking/running in your hiking or hunting boots; building cardio/pulmonary muscles and stamina–all are vital to a safe, enjoyable, and sometimes successful hunt or hike. Start now, and never stop. Remember, you're maintaining Messiah's temple!
