Today I'd like to share with you about my new acknowledgement of "goats". Before you go to another site just wait a moment and you just might as I did learn something.
Approximately one month ago my wife and son purchased four goats to keep three acres of land clear behind our home. As I peer out of the window amazed at how much vegetation these creatures of God can consume I'm astounded. This past weekend I found myself again watching the goats. One was standing on an uprooted tree trunk that would tip one way and then the other. As he was stretching to reach vegetation just out of his reach his weight was causing a sea saw action, he never fell or lost his balance. He got up on his hind legs and that just blew my mind, I thought to myself that my God is truly an awesome God.
I started doing my research on goats and I was curious to see just how the Bible portrays goats, sheep's etc. These animals are surefooted and are mentioned in both the Old Testament and the New Testaments. In the Old Testament Sheep/Goats were referred to "Atonement". Leviticus 16:1 "The day of atonement was the greatest day of the year for Israel. The Hebrew word for atone means "To Cover". Goats were used as a sin offering.
Atonement: The reconciliation of God and man through the death of Jesus Christ. Aaron had to spend hours preparing himself to meet God. Now we can approach God anytime (Hebrews 4:16). What a privilege! We are offered easier access to God than the high priest of Old Testament times, still, we must never forgot that God is Holy nor let this privilege cause us to approach God carelessly. The way to God has been opened to us by Christ. But easy access to God does not eliminate our need to prepare our hearts as we draw near in prayer.
Now, getting back to the goats, everyday I find myself watching them while I'm praying and praising God outside. It's truly amazing how surefooted these animals are. They have hooves and dew claws which allows them to run, jump and leap from any surface in reckless abandonment. Now days I tend to look at things more closely. I enjoy sitting on my front porch rocking as I take notice of how creative, how amazing, how marvelous my God is. I see deer, rabbits, snakes even foxes on our property and it's amazing how they take care of each other. I've also noticed most of these species respect each other as long as one does not invade the others space.
I now have a better understanding of Matthew 25:32 "All the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats." Jesus used sheep and goats to picture the division between believers and unbelievers. Sheep and goats often grazed together but were separated when it came time to shear the sheep. Ezekiel 34:17-24 also refers to the separation of Sheep and Goats. Matt. 25:31-46 God will separate his obedient followers from pretenders and unbelievers. It's important that we communicate intimately with the Father daily. The real evidence of our belief is the way we act. As Christians we are to treat all people we encounter as if they are Jesus is no easy task. What we do for others demonstrates what we really think about Jesus words to us feed the hungry, give the homeless a place to stay, and look after the sick. Ask yourself this question, How well do my actions separate me from Pretenders and Unbelievers?
Have a great day in the Lord...
Humbly Yours in Christ,
Jim
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