Lesson 298: "Counting Sheep"
Are you a counter or an estimator? I am. I sit in church and count the people; I count the people in a restaurant to see if the “capacity number” is over extended; I estimate the number of cattle in a herd or the size of a flock of geese flying overhead. Some say I am weird and maybe this is true but do you know there were many “counters” in the bible? Abraham counted backward when asking God to spare the righteous in Sodom, bringing the number down to ten before his bantering with the Lord ceased. However, there seems to be only four recorded saved; Lot, his wife and two daughters. A continuous study of the bible, especially the Old Testament will show that most everything was accounted for right down to the amounts of spices that went into the anointing oil (Ex. 30:22-25). Joseph tried to keep count of the huge quantities of grain he had stored but “it was so much that he stopped keeping records because it was beyond measure” (Gen. 41:49). However, he did make record of the sets of clothes he gave to his brothers (Gen. 45:22); the book of Numbers is filled with the exact numbers of all the Israelite community; the firstborn males a month old or more were counted and listed by name; defeated kings were listed (Jos. 12) and of course the Ten Commandments.
All the above were God’s sheep and he knew each and everyone of them and even if they did not choose to follow after His Laws, I feel sure they knew His voice when He spoke. God appointed David to shepherd His flock and before he actually took the throne of Israel, people knew him as shepherd and followed his lead (1 Sam. 22:1-2); even King Saul knew his voice and recognized it as authority (1 Sam. 26:17). David knew his flock and not only are his mighty men listed so are their exploits (2 Sam. 23:8-39). I caution you to “count for God” and without the desire to pat yourself on the back; David made this mistake and God’s wrath came down (2 Sam. 24:10-17). David was shepherd, king, warrior, leader and a man after God’s own heart and I truly believe he knew every sheep that God entrusted to his care. The True Shepherd came in the form of Jesus Christ and became the gate for all the sheep; all who would hear His voice; all who would be saved. This Good Shepherd laid down His life for His sheep; He knows them and they know Him. He know each and everyone by name and believe me, we are counted (2 Tim. 2:19).
So you see it is ok to be a counter and more especially in your worship congregation. Check and be sure that all are there that are members of the flock. If you find one missing, “go to look for the one that wandered off. Your Father in Heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost” (Matt. 18:12-14). God made Ezekiel a watchman for the House of Israel and I believe He has made each Christian a watchman for His Church today. Christians are not required to keep count of sins of others but rather Ezekiel teaches that the Christian will be held accountable for not issuing a warning for man to turn from their wicked ways and be counted as one of God’s sheep. While watching and counting, don’t miss the wolves in sheep’s clothing; the false prophets and teachers (Matt. 7:15); the weeds (Matt. 13:25); the yeast; the stumbling blocks; and restore them gently (Gal. 6:1).
God counts our every step (Job 31:4); He numbered our days (Ps. 139:16). Christians count all things but loss for the sake of Christ (Phil. 3:7-9); we count our trials as pure joy (James 1:2). Keep counting but remember that keeping God’s commands is what counts in the end (1 Cor. 7:19b). He has written you in His Book of Life if you have trusted Christ as your Savior and if your name is not written there you will be thrown into the lake of fire (Rev. 20:15). “He who testifies to these things says; ‘Yes, I am coming soon”’ (Rev. 22:20) and you can count on this!