Psalm 23

Life in America in the 21st century is very far removed from the culture of Israel and its surrounding neighbors during the times of the Bible.  It would be difficult to appreciate much of the rich imagery in the Song of Solomon if you are an urban dweller in modern America.  If all of your life you have bought your groceries from big grocery stores, it would be hard to imagine the plight of Ruth needing to glean in the fields of Boaz for survival.  But here in rural east Africa the Scriptures come alive.  This culture is not nearly as far removed from those of the Bible as American or European culture is.  You have here sort of a living commentary. Details and imagery that you once just passed over because of their unfamiliarity now jump off the page.  

Just yesterday I had a 25 year old widow come to the gate requesting assistance.  She offered to "dig" (hoe in the garden).  "I'm strong.  I can carry firewood.  I can dig.  I can clean."  Tears were in her eyes.  She has a diploma and is trained as an accountant, but since the death of her husband, who was from India, she has virtually been reduced to a homeless beggar.  She is an outcast from the Indian community because she is Ugandan, and she is not welcome home because her three children look Indian.  Is that very much different from Ruth a widow from Moab wanting to glean in the fields of an Israelite?  

This past Saturday I was at the University and was asked to teach on Psalm 23.  As I was reading it and considering the structure of the text I was first struck by the use of two metaphors to describe Yahweh - faithful shepherd and gracious host.  Then I was struck by how parallel the message emerging from each metaphor was with the other.  They seemed to communicate the same thing each in its own way.  What really caught my eye was the "new perspective" I have gained since being here on the "valley of the shadow of death".  Having always heard this Psalm read at funerals, my imagination has been a bit biased toward some vague notion about walking toward your final days or something like that.  Actually, I've never really done any exegesis on the passage before Saturday.  Regretfully, it has always just been a quaint Psalm.

In the past I have always noticed that the Lord invites us to sit and peacefully dine with Him ... "in the presence of my enemies".  This is an unnerving image, but I have noticed it simply because it corresponds with my experience.  He always seems to spread the feast in situations that require me to have to trust Him that the present circumstances will not be my undoing.  But this time I noticed that the Psalmist says exactly the same thing when he describes walking through the valley of the shadow of death.

You see, since we have been here we have had the privilege of hosting a number of short term teams.  Since they have come all this distance it only makes sense for them to go on a short safari to see the famous animals of Africa.  Having been on several now, we have discovered that if you want to find the big cats you have to go to the water because that is where they will be waiting to take their unsuspecting prey.  

The imagery the Psalmist uses of lying down in green pastures and resting by still waters is striking since the climate in the wilderness areas where sheep graze in Israel is arid and ordinarily the sheep have to keep moving to find new patches of grass - which, from what I've observed here, doesn't take long for them to munch down to the dirt.

To be able to lie down and not have to keep moving, searching, grazing here, grazing there just to survive implies ample provision, abundance, as well as safety.  They graze and lie down in the comfort that there will be more for later.  Since water tends to flow down hill and grass in arid areas tends to prosper where there is water, it only makes sense that the shepherd will lead his flock to the abundant grazing down in the valley.  But to get there they must pass through the canyon where the predators lurk waiting to make their kill.  It is truly the valley of the shadow of death.

Though it doesn't look like it, He really does lead us on the right paths.  In order to feast, just as in the image of the table spread in the presence of our enemies, we have to pass through that dark canyon.   We have to ... if we want to enjoy the abundant provision of the good shepherd.  But we have no need for fear. He is with us throughout the journey and He is committed and well prepared to protect us.  We really are safe!  "The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep" (John 10:11).  

"My shepherd is Yhwh; I do not lack-  He makes me lie down in lush pastures.  He guides me by completely restful waters; He restores my strength.  He leads me in right paths for His 

name's sake.  Even when I walk in the darkest canyon, I do not fear disaster, because You are 

with me; Your rod and Your staff reassure me.  You prepare a feast before me in plain sight of my enemies.  You refresh my head with oil; my cup amply satisfies.  Surely your goodness and faithfulness will chase me all my days, and I will live in Yhwh's house all of my life" Psalm 23.