On lions and sheep

In my previous post, I wrote about how Jesus’ statement of his other sheep should be read in context. Doing so, I found an interesting detail that I want to point out and try to interpret in this post. As explained in that post, Jesus points to the Nephites as the other sheep that he mentioned to the Jews. But there are also yet other sheep and a record should be made for the gathering of future sheep into the fold. This is the beginning of a discourse in 3 Nephi 16 about the covenants of the Father and the latter day gathering of Israel. Then he makes a pause because he perceives that the Nephites are weak and need a break because they cannot understand all his words (see 3 Nephi 17:2-3). He wants them to prepare their minds for the next day when he will continue his speech.

There are wonderful events in between recorded in 3 Nephi 17-19, but to get the continuation of his sermon on his sheep, covenants and the gathering of Israel, we need to fast forward to 3 Nephi 20 and 21. Considering these chapters (16, 20 and 21) in the context of the sheep and shepherd analogy is interesting. The latter-day gathering of Israel and the fulness of the Gentiles (see 3 Nephi 16:4) is a complex topic with diverse symbolism. The end goal of this gathering is to eventually have “one fold and one shepherd”. Jesus always refers to this as some future event. In the meantime, Israel and the Gentiles will have different and dynamic roles in the process to achieve this. I will get to that, but first a note on ancient sheepfolds.

The sheepfold and thorns

Shepherds in the ancient Near East would make so-called sheepfolds. This was a simple corral or pen with one door or opening where sheep were kept and protected. This is what Jesus is referring to when he explains that he is the good shepherd in John 10 and that he also is the door (John 10:9).

Thorny bushes were kept on top of the sheepfolds to keep lions, wolves or thieves out. They could also be made entirely out of thorn bushes (see image of this post). The Hebrew word for thorn or briar is shemir. This is derived from shamar (keep, watch, preserve) that we have written about before (here and here). For instance, Adam was commanded to shamar the Garden of Eden. This fits well into the image of the cosmic mountain surrounded by a hedge of thorns.

So the shepherd would make this sheepfold out of shemir for the sheep’s shamar. This is an apt illustration of the protection of the covenant people. The sheepfold becomes the cosmic mountain, a walled garden. The shepherd, Jesus Christ hedges about his sheep. There is protection in covenant keeping. Conversely, those who break the covenant and step outside the sheepfold are left unprotected.

The roles of Israelites and Gentiles in the latter-day gathering

Back to 3 Nephi 16, 20 and 21. I have previously summarized these chapters, along with other Book of Mormon prophecies of the latter-day gathering, here. Specifically, on the topic of the roles of Israel and the Gentiles, we have in short:

1. Gentiles will scatter the House of Israel (who have broken the original covenant)
2. The fulness of the gospel shall come to the Gentiles in the latter days
3. Still, many Gentiles will sin and reject the restored gospel
4. God will fulfill his covenant with the House of Israel
5. The gospel will be brought to the House of Israel from the Gentiles
6. Israel will be gathered
7. The Gentiles who repent will be numbered among the House of Israel
8. Gentiles who do not repent will be “trodden under foot” by the House of Israel

Even though they are all part of the same sermon, disregarding the interruption between 16 and 20, this pattern is consistently repeated in each of the chapters 16, 20 and 21, along with other chapters in the Book of Mormon, like 1 Nephi 13-15 and 1 Nephi 22. All the events described in #1-8 will happen before there can be truly one fold and one shepherd. Notice that #8 is a reversal of #1. The Gentiles and Israel will be each other’s scourges when needed in this process.

According to #7, Gentiles who repent are numbered among the House of Israel and become part of the fold. The description of #8 in 3 Nephi 20 and 21 is interesting in this context. Jesus quotes Micah 5:8 in each of these chapters, specifically in verse 16 in the quote below.

15 And I say unto you, that if the Gentiles do not repent after the blessing which they shall receive, after they have scattered my people—
16 Then shall ye, who are a remnant of the house of Jacob, go forth among them; and ye shall be in the midst of them who shall be many; and ye shall be among them as a lion among the beasts of the forest, and as a young lion among the flocks of sheep, who, if he goeth through both treadeth down and teareth in pieces, and none can deliver.

3 Nephi 20:15-16

Notice the reversal here. Verse 15 reminds us of the Gentiles having scattered Israel. In verse 16, Israel will tread down the Gentiles who do not repent. By quoting Micah, Jesus returns to the sheep imagery. Here a lion is involved as well. Lord Wilmore has previously written about the “young lion” (Hebr. kephir) and its covenant relation. The imagery is complex and I am not sure if I got it right but I will give it a try.

By receiving the restored gospel, the Gentiles are offered a place among the fold. They become sheep and a part of the House of Israel. But if they don’t repent after having received this blessing, Israel will temporarily act as a lion among them to tread them down. Apparently, the sheep have stepped out of the sheepfold and left unprotected. The lion is a ferocious animal but the symbol of power used here is a necessary force for good and and the young lion as mentioned, also relates to the atonement and the covenant. This is what the Gentile sheep have rejected and therefore they have no place in the fold. Notice the parallelism linking the sheep in this verse to “beasts of the forest” and not domesticated animals like sheep are supposed to be.

Notice also that “none can deliver” these particular sheep. This is a stark message following Jesus’ remarks about him as shepherd gathering his sheep into one fold. When someone has deliberately placed themselves outside the sheepfold, not even the Good Shepherd can protect them anymore.