Wait a minute, Jesus is calling people sheep? Isn’t that a little unflattering?

After all, sheep really are the dumbest of four-legged domesticated animals. I know from experiences as a teenager, discovering on my sister and brother-in-law’s ranch that those sheep certainly didn’t hear me! 

They were supposed to go through the gate to get water. I being unskilled in shepherding, thought they would wait patiently for me to open the next gate. After all, the cows and horses always did! 

And when they all turned left and headed down the road, they certainly didn’t know my voice and listen to directions. Who knew you had to get in front of them to lead them? So through the scratchy stubble fields I ran, until I finally was able to get ahead, and they followed!

I have learned it is true, sheep know the voice of their shepherds and only follow them. This makes it possible even today in the Middle East for several shepherds to mingle their bands at the watering well or in the sheepfold and know for sure theirs will follow them when they call.

Jesus assures us we will know His voice and distinguish it from others. He gives us the discernment to identify His voice over voices of deception. If we truly know God’s character, nature, and the history of how He has led others before us, then we will know when something we have heard is something that is in His nature to say. We will know that what He has said does not contradict His Word, wisdom, or common sense.