We have been studying for the last few months the Compound Names of God.   There are three names of God in the Bible, Jehovah, Adonai, and Elohim. In addition to these three primary names there are those that we have been considering briefly, the Compound Names of God. That is the word Jehovah coupled with another Hebrew word that emphasizes some specific characteristic of God that became evident through actual experience. JEHOVAH-JIREH: "The Lord Will Provide."  JEHOVAH-ROPHE: "The Lord Who Heals" Ex. 15:22-26. JEHOVAH-NISSI: "The Lord Our Banner." Ex. 17:15.   JEHOVAH-M'KADDESH: "The Lord Who Sanctifies" Lev. 20:8. "To make whole, set apart for holiness."  JEHOVAH-SHALOM: "The Lord Our Peace" Judges 6:24. JEHOVAH ROHI: "The Lord My Shepherd" Psalm 23:1.

One of the beautiful names of God is Jehovah Rohi.  Jehovah Rohi is one of my favourite names of the LORD.  Rohi means “the LORD, my Shepherd!". The primary meaning of rohi is "to feed" or "lead to pasture," as a shepherd does his flock. Jehovah (Yahweh) was a name so revered by the ancient Jews that it was never spoken - only written. In writing Psalm 23, David took the sacred name of Jehovah and linked it with the word Rohi (My Shepherd). David penned the 23rd Psalm knowing how weak and defenceless he was, how he needed a Shepherd to watch over him as he had so many enemies.  When David says, "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want."  he is describing his dependence on the LORD; and the LORD's total care in his life. David is the sheep, and God is His Shepherd.   Notice David wrote this Psalm in the present tense, signifying that the LORD daily takes care of him.

Though Psalm 23 is the standard reference of Jehovah Rohi, there are many references in the Old Testament of God being Jehovah Rohi.

1. The Shepherd of Israel Leads us. (Psalms 80:1) “Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest between the cherubims, shine forth.”
2. The Shepherd seeks and finds his sheep. (Ezekiel 34:11) “For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out.” (Ezekiel 34:12) “As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day.”
3. The Shepherd of Israel feeds us with tender care. He leads all of them. (Isaiah 40:10-11). “Behold, the Lord GOD will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.”
4. The Shepherd is our God, and we are His sheep. (Psalms 100:3) “Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.”

To fully understand what Rohi means in a personal context, one must know the laborious job it is to be a shepherd. David knew the uphill task of a shepherd personally as he tended and watched over his father's sheep. David learned that sheep are defenceless and totally dependent upon the Shepherd.  And that sheep are dumb and in complete need of a caregiver.  Because of this learned knowledge, The Shepherd's job was twenty four hours, not a nine to five job. The Shepherd guides and leads the sheep (sheep tend to wander off). The Shepherd protects the sheep. The Shepherd makes sure they are near still waters for a drink, green grass to eat, and a safe place to sleep. The Shepherd keeps away predators away ensures the land is secure. The Shepherd learns to recognize potential dangers that await him and his flock. The Shepherd gently pulls back the strayed sheep with his staff. The Shepherd will look for the lost sheep. The Shepherd takes care of their wounds. The Shepherd comforts the sheep. The Shepherd is also willing to lay down his life for his sheep. King David himself, in 1 Samuel 17, spoke of rescuing lambs from the mouths of lions and bears. See the list given by the Shepherd on his daily task. 

What kind of Shepherd is Jesus? He is the Good Shepherd (John 10:11). As such, He died to pay the penalty for our sin. As the Good Shepherd, He has made the ultimate sacrifice for us. "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep." (John 10:11)    He is called the Great Shepherd in Hebrews 13:20-21. "Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen." We have a Great Shepherd who is raised from the dead and had promised He will never leave you or forsake us. He will give us victory to save us from the power of sin. Jesus is also the Chief Shepherd of the sheep (1 Peter 5:4). As such, He is coming again to save us from the presence of sin.

Jesus is also our Savior Shepherd that came to save the lost. Luke 19:10, "For the Son of man came to seek and save that which was lost." When he seeks the lost, He will find it. He is like the concerned Shepherd of Luke 15 who goes seeking the lost sheep until he finds it. “And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.” (Luke 15:4-6). It is wonderful to know that Jehovah Rohi knows us by name (John 10:14,27). Most importantly, we who are His sheep can hear His voice. It is confirmation of the intimacy of our relationship. The voice of Shepherd assures us he will lead, guide, teach, care and heal.

As our Shepherd, He feeds, rests, comforts, leads, defends, and assures the sheep. We all should be able to say to our Jehovah Rohi, I am His sheep, and He is mine. Do you know the Shepherd as your Saviour? If so, are you following the Shepherd? Much as God has revealed himself, His character and mission through this name and wants us to know him personally. No other word than Jehovah Rohi best describes the relationship between God and us, i.e., that of a Shepherd and sheep; we don't believe in somebody who is up there in heaven; we know Him by name, and more importantly, he knows each sheep by His name. What a divine comfort to know we are not alone. I shall not want for God is my Shepherd.

Rev Mathews Abraham

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