The relationship between God and Israelites is similar to that of the shepherd and sheep. The Lord is my shepherd, says David in Psalm 23:1. In Asaph’s Psalm God is addressed thus, “Hear us, Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock” (Psalm 80:1). Isaiah has also declared thus, “He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young” (Isaiah 40:11). The comparison between the sheep and shepherd is one that Jesus uses in the New Testament to make the relation between Christ and Church clear. Shepherding denotes tending the Church. God’s people are consecrated by God. They are the flock of God. The commandment of God is that they should live a consecrated life for God. They have been chosen to discard foreign gods and lead a life worshipping the true God. This is what is seen in Genesis 35: 1-15. “We are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care” (Psalm 95:7). God’s people are the ones who should not harden their hearts but remember God’s acts and lead a thankful life. In the New Testament they are the flock of God. This flock has certain characteristics.

1.God’s People listens to Christ’s Voice (John 10: 1-6)
Christ is the good shepherd (John 10: 11). This good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep. The sheep listens to his voice and follows him. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd (John 10:16). The Church is the flock of Christ that was called and separated from the Jews and the Gentiles. As a shepherd, three features have been attributed to Christ. Good Shepherd (John 10: 14, 15), Great Shepherd (Hebrews 13: 20), Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4). Shepherd’s people are the ones who listen to the Shepherd’s voice. We should have ears to constantly hear God’s voice. That is why Christ at times said ‘those who have ears, let them listen’. The sheep who belong to this flock are the ones who hear the words of Christ and stands firm on it (Luke 6: 46, 47). Those who remain in His love keeps His commands, is what He said(John 14: 15, 23; 15: 10; 1 John 5:3).

2.God’s People know and hear Christ (John 10:4)
The Shepherd exhorts not just to hear His voice but to know it and follow Him. Those who know the voice of Christ will follow Christ. This flock should have a lifestyle that inculcates a life of following Him daily. To the people who came to follow Him, Jesus gave an exhortation (Matt. 11: 28, 29; Mark 1: 17).

3.God’s People leaves and walks away from False Teachings (John 10:5)
The flock that follows the shepherd does not go after the voice of strangers because they only hear the voice of the Good Shepherd. Since they don’t know the voice of the strangers they do not follow the strangers and runs away from them. The temptations of the world are many. As portrayed in John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress there are many false ways and false shepherds. Here we are warned not to listen to other voices but to follow Christ alone. Only when God’s people hear the voice of the good shepherd and follow him will Christ’s vision of ‘One Shepherd and One flock’ materialize (John 10: 16).