Over 5000 BCE, sheep were domesticated from wild sheep.

Sheep are reared for their wool, meat, and milk. There are more than 200 breeds of sheep in the world.

They vary depending on the part of the world where they are indigenous. For example, the Scottish Blackface is originally from Scotland and the Cotswold is originally from England but is now in the USA (Britannica)

Characteristics of the sheep

The Bible often refers to God’s people as sheep.

One might ask, why?

Could it be because of the characteristics of sheep?

The characteristics of the sheep

One physical characteristic of sheep is that they have rectangle pupils that give them a wide range of vision approximately 270 to 320 degrees.

This allows them to be aware of their surroundings even when they are grazing.

Another physical characteristic of sheep is that they have no front teeth, but they have a hard upper palate that allows them to chew their food.

The sheep can identify plants that can help them combat diseases, and they teach their young ones the skills.

Sheep have a great sense of smell to help them communicate with each other and their surrounding.

The female sheep (a Dam) can recognize the bleat of her lamb.

The sheep are highly emotional animals and can show fear, anger, depression, boredom, and happiness.

They can recognize the faces of each other and also humans.

They can also recognize and react to facial expressions. Studies showed that they prefer a smiling face than an angry one.

The sheep are gentle animals and prefer to remain together in a flock where they can form strong bonds of friendship.

Why the biblical analogy of humans to sheep?

Based on the characteristics of sheep you can understand the reasons why Jesus calls us His sheep.

He said, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” (John 10:27).

Born-again believers will know the voice of God and will not be easily led astray by every whim of doctrines.

The sheep not only know the voice of the shepherd, but they also know the face and characteristics of the Good Shepherd – Jesus Christ.

We are assured that as Jesus’ sheep no one can snatch us from His hands (John 10:28).

The sheep are always on the alert because the enemy prowls like a lion seeking to devour one of them (1 Peter 5:8).

The sheep can always depend on the Good Shepherd because He will give His life for the sheep.

On the other hand, a hired help will leave the sheep behind when confronted with danger (John 10:11-16).

The Good Shepherd will lead His sheep in green pastures where they will find food to nourish and restore their bodies and souls (Psalms 23).

Advantages of a flock of sheep

Similar to sheep, God wants His children to remain together and be united as one because “we being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.” (Romans 12:5)

Mathew 18: 19-20 states, where two or three are gathered together in Jesus’ name, He is in the midst.

Furthermore, nothing can separate us from His love.

The Good Shepherd, gave the sheep power and authority over all demons, and to cure all diseases (Luke 9:1).

When the sheep prays together, fellowship with each other and break bread together, they will have all things in common.

The sheep must all have the same mind of Christ, which is obedience and humility.

The sheep shared a common past together because they were all once in darkness.

“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:4-7)

Together, the sheep can worship the Lord in prayers, songs, praise, thanksgiving, and exaltations.

Together, the sheep can destroy the kingdom of darkness and nothing will be impossible for them (Matthew 17:20).

Friends, we are a strong force together when we remain as sheep in God’s green pasture. Amen!

Are you grazing in God’s green pasture?

References on sheep: BCSPCA; Four Paws International;

Other Biblical references: Matthew 18:20; 19:6; Acts 2; 1 Corinthians 1:10; 1 Corinthians 11:20-34; 1 Corinthians 14:26