Generations of sheep have made tracks in our neighbour’s paddock just outside our fence. Year after year, the sheep walk in single file to parts of the paddock essential to their needs. Their water supply, particular shade places where they rest during the day and their special feeding areas are joined together by a network of narrow tracks.
The tracks of generations past are their guide and the same paths are followed by each generation of sheep and are learned by their lambs. Wherever there are sheep, they take the same patterns with them and set up the same habits as their ancestors.
The importance of ancestral paths cannot be underestimated and the Lord knows it. He often refers to us as the sheep of his flock but he goes further, he likens himself to a good shepherd.
When I look over the fence and see how the sheep and lambs follow the paths of their ancestors I hear the voice of my shepherd in the Scriptures. He said in John 10:27: ‘My sheep listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me.’
Most importantly, he is the One who was ‘slain from the foundation of the world,’ and who came back from the dead because of an eternal covenant known to our ancestors.
‘The God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep.’ (Hebrews 13:20).
Our ancestral paths lead us to eternal life so never, never underestimate them.
By Just a Minute team writer Elizabeth Price.
You can contact Elizabeth direct at mailto:reprice@dragnet.com.au