At first blush, sheep are lack-luster. Yet, Jesus called his followers sheep. Was it some kind of “divine dig,” or was it a profound insight for us to absorb? Or both? Most of us don’t raise sheep, so some of the sheep tie-ins and metaphors in the Bible are lost on us.
To remedy that, just a bit, here are 10 things amusing things about sheep. It could change the way you think about God and life. Tell me what you think. Actually, there are more than 10 listed, so think of it as bonus material.
1. Sheep are … um, well, sheepish…So, you know… shy…nervous, and they frighten easily, especially in response to noises.
2. Sheep are basically defenseless against predators (which are often of the canine variety.)
3. Because of their body shape, and bulky wool, sheep can fall over easily. They find it very difficult to right themselves independently. Staying on their backs can be fatal, and that’s not just because they can become someone’s meal. Gases in their four stomachs build up, and they can die in hours. Sounds Painful! Watch a sheep get righted.
fallen (or “cast”) sheep
4. Sheep are valuable: Besides being used for milk and meat, one pound of wool can make ten miles of yarn. Can you say “waterproof sweaters”? Yes, sir. Yes, sir. Three bags full.
5. Humans have been raising sheep for about 11,000 years, and spinning sheep wool into thread for about 5,000 years. But…why don’t sheep shrink after it rains? I have to know!
6. A lamb can identify its mother by her particular bleating sound.
“I love ewe,” said the lamb.
7. Sheep have poor depth perception. They avoid shadows or big contrasts in light and darkness. (Think shadow of death = a scary place. Psalm 23.) They will move towards the light.
8. Sheep have excellent senses of hearing and smell. (They also see well, and in color. However, because of where their eyes of located, their depth perception is shabby.)
9. Sheep avoid walking in water or moving through narrow openings. (Back to the sheepish bit, see?) Sheep also prefer to move into the wind and uphill more than down wind and downhill. (Maybe because they’re afraid they’ll flip over? Not so dumb, after all, huh?)
10. Sheep survive attacks by staying in a group. “Flocking”.
(And, in some places they race sheep. That’s right, I said “race”! Sheep can cover 220 yards in 17 seconds! I know…insane.)
Seriously, this is a sport in the UK and Australia. Fierce!
Don’t you just love this sheep racing photo? Look at the expressions of sheer determination, even professionalism. Speaking of shear, is it against the rules in professional sheep racing to trim down their wool? I imagine they could shave 2 or 3 seconds off their times.
What surprised you about sheep in this post? Anything?
Now, think for a minute, in what ways are you like a sheep? Let me know, if you think of something.
Ya know, I feel like it’s time for a few more sheep jokes. Sadly, all the other ones I know are pretty Bahhhhd. Actually, the last time I told one (.3 seconds ago), it fell flat, and I started bleating like crazy.
Don’t be tempted to …ahem… peg Jael as the Biblical forerunner of the fierce “Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling”. She was a nobody who cared for sheep and endured the harsh elements.
As a tent dweller of the Kenite clan, she was riffraff to the nth degree. (The spiffy clothing you may see her depicted in is just wishful thinking. A bath would be hard to come by, let alone silk fineries, and dainty hairstyling.)
So-NEVER doubt this, Jael is one shrewd and formidable female; and she clobbers an expert of war, with her own violence, as a part of God’s plan.
She’s sharp, very sharp.
Here lies the mighty Warrior, Sisera…almost pinned down.
Could this be one instance (of many) where a Bible story may effect an impressionable mind?
Perhaps envision the scene following a Bible study at a female penitentiary … “Yo, ladies, are you ready to get your Jael on!? Wooo…” Okay, maybe not. But, I can totally see a Bible inspired video game for Christian families….rated T for Teen (of course)… that includes this scene. The object would be to get in the most spike poundings before the warrior wakes up. That’s completely obvious, right?
Incidentally, this story also proves how brilliantly somniferous warm milk can be. Note to self.
Most importantly, this story begs us to root for Jael, and everyone like her. She’s an impoverished foreigner. A diminutive herding woman. And she triumphs in a crucial battle to save a whole nation. Underdog doesn’t begin to describe her.
This isn’t just an astonishing battle tale, or reversal of fortune story, it’s a message of hope for all of us up against the odds. God gives us the strength to peg and conquer our obstacles. God’s character is shown in this and the many underdog stories in the Bible.
Literarily unheard of, this story is like no other. No other ancient literature in the world included women very much, let alone wrote them up as full- blown heroines. But, God captures his heart for us within this story of an unlikely woman who saves an entire people group from destruction.
Remember this:
Undoubtably, you have God’s camaraderie when the odds are against you, or when your foes or circumstance seems too great to overcome.
God has mercy for your “type,” and it is his joy to help you prevail. Keep your hope in the Lord, the Almighty King.
Do you ever feel like an underdog?
What would you like to pin and conquer?
Don’t miss that next post. Get the RSS feed in your reader or get the next post sent straight to your inbox. (sign up in the right sidebar, up top)
