Yahweh Roi - My Shepherd

This week we are going to look at the Hebrew name, Yahweh Roi. This is a combination of Yahweh or Jehovah and Roi. Translated it could be the "Lord who sees" and considered in contrast to El Roi which is "the God who sees." The primary difference I see is the Covenant name, Yaweh is applied, making this a more personal and intimate title. He is the God who not only sees and acts according to your circumstances. He is the Lord who sees and acts according to His relationship with you. A significant difference as I am sure we will learn. We have reviewed the Hebrew definitions for both Jehovah or Yahweh and Roi. Today we will be reviewing those name meanings and looking at Scripture that will better help us apply this name to our relationship with God.

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Hebrew Strong's Dictionary Number: 3068

Transliteration: yhwh

Phonetic Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'

Root: from Cross Reference: TWOT - 484a

Part of Speech: n pr dei

Vine's Words: Lord

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Usage Notes: English Words used in KJV: LORD 6510, GOD 4, JEHOVAH 4, variant 1 [Total Count: 6519]
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from (hayah); (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God :- Jehovah, the Lord. Compare (Yahh), (Yehovih).

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From Vine’s Expository Dictionary:

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yehovāh – “Lord.” The Tetragrammaton YHWH appears without its own vowels, and its exact pronunciation is debated (Jehovah, Yehovah, Jahweh, Yahweh). The Hebrew text does insert the vowels for ‘ādōnāy, and Jewish students and scholars read ‘ādōnāy whenever they see the Tetragrammaton. The use of the word appears in every period of biblical Hebrew.
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The divine name YHWH appears only in the Bible. Its meaning is much debated. God chose it as His personal name by which He related specifically to His chosen or covenant people. It first appearance in the biblical record is Genesis 2:4: “These are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in the day that the Lord god made the earth and the heavens.” Apparently Adam knew Him by this personal and covenantal name from the beginning, since Seth both called his son Enosh (i.e., man as a weak and dependent creature) and began (along with all other pious persons) to call upon (formally worship) the name of YHWH, “the Lord” (Genesis 4:26). The covenant found a fuller expression and application when God revealed Himself to Abraham (Genesis 12:8), promising redemption in the form of national existence. This promise became reality through Moses, to whom God explained that He was not only the “God who exists” but the “God who effects His will”; “Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The Lord [YHWH] God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you; this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations. Go, and gather the elders of Israel together, and say unto them, The Lord [YHWH] God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared unto me, saying I have surely visited you, and seen that which is done to you in Egypt: And I have said, I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt unto the land of the Canaanites…” (Exodus 3:15-17). So God explained the meaning of “I am who I am” (Exodus 3:14). He spoke to the fathers as YHWH, but the promised deliverance and therefore, the fuller significance or experienced meaning of His name were unknown to them (Exodus 6:2-8).

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Strong's Reference # 7210

Transliteration: ro'iy

Phonetic Pronunciation: ro-ee'

Root: from

Part of Speech: n m.
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Usage Notes: English Words used in KJV: see 4, look 1, gazingstock 1 [Total Count: 6]
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1) looking, appearance, seeing, sight; 1a) seeing; 1b) appearance; 1c) sight, spectacle

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The Bible Knowledge Commentary - Old Testament, Walvoord and Zuck, Victor Books, 1985. p. 811.
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Psalm 23

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Using the images of a shepherd and a gracious host, David reflected on the many benefits the Lord gave him in the dangers of life, and concluded that God's persistent, loving protection would restore him to full communion.

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A. The Lord as Leader (23:1-4)

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23:1 The psalmist employed the figure of a shepherd to recall the blessings he enjoyed from the Lord (cf. God as Shepherd in 28:9, 80:1). The metaphor was a natural one for David, the shepherd-king. It was also a common metaphor in the ancient Near East, as many kings compared themselves to shepherds in their leadership capacity. The prophecy of the coming Messiah incorporated the same (Isa. 40:11), and Jesus identified Himself as that expected "Good Shepherd" (John 10:14). He is also called the "Great Shepherd" (Heb. 13:20) and "the Chief Shepherd" (1 Peter 5:4). Because the Lord was David's Shepherd, his needs were met.

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The commentary goes on to say that the first blessing received by David from the Lord as His Shepherd was spiritual nourishment and food for the soul provided through the Word of God. One who follows the Lord does not lack spiritual nourishment. The second blessing identified is spiritual restoration - salvation. Just as a shepherd leads his sheep by still waters to refresh and cleanse them, so it is with our Good Shepherd. He provides us with of restoration and cleansing through the sacrifice and atonement made for our sins. Forgiveness and peace belong to those who follow Jesus. The third blessing identified is the Lord's leading us in the right way or direction. He leads us in the ways of righteousness for our good and His glory. This path will ultimately lead us safely home. The fourth blessing we enjoy is protection, just as a shepherd watches over his flock and protects them from the dangers around them - so do the sheep of God's flock enjoy this same benefit in their daily lives. God as shepherd provides for our every need. As the Shepherd He is the ultimate protector and provider - His sheep do not survive or thrive without their Shepherd. The safety of the sheep depends upon their nearness to the Shepherd. We must maintain an intimate relationship with God to enjoy the benefits of our relationship with Him as our shepherd.

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Now let's look to Scripture for more insights.

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The Shepherd tends the sheep. Jesus is our Shepherd and we are His sheep. He tends to our needs. He gives us rest and searches for the lost and the ones who have gone astray. He binds the wounds of the injured and gives strength to the weak. His sheep are dependent on Him and those who defy Him will be destoyed. Our loving Shepherd is also Just.
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The role of the Shepherd is to rule over His sheep. Christ is the arm of the Lord who rules over His sheep. He brings His reward with Him. In the No Other Gods Study by Kelly Minter (Lifeway Resources) that I am currently journeying through reminds us that "God is our very great reward." He repays each for what they do.

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He takes care of His own like a Shepherd tends the flock and gathers His lambs, his small and growing sheep in His arms - the same arm He uses to rule. Baby Christians are gathered up by Christ - Do you see that picture? He carries us close to His heart. Think of it, the Heart of God is expressed to us through Jesus Christ and when God carries us - through our early days as baby Christians, through the tough times when the storms come and through the times when we are wounded and weak - picture yourself being carried close to the heart of God. In His mighty arms, where you are safely kept until you are able to once again follow your Shepherd Home. He is gentle with the young - the immature. I have often said that God holds us accountable for what we learn and know about Him. I believe this verse confirmst this notion. God's love for us and His mercy for us is so vast. When we have revelation of Him we are responsible for what we do with that revelation. We must be accountable for applying the knowledge we gain about our God and allow it to influence not only our lives, but the lives of those we relate to every day.

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When we go our way instead of God's way... even before we come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, we sin. Our times going astray cost God and us a relationship with Him. Yet, before we were even created, born or given place to go astray - God had a plan to bring us back to Himself. As the Shepherd, Christ risked and gave His own human life in exchange for our debt - the debt of going astray. The price is paid in full. He paid the price of His life to keep us from having to do so. Take a moment and praise Him for being the kind of God who would give Himself up to save you. He is so good to us, so much more than we could ever deserve.

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Just as Christ is known to His Father and His Father is known to Christ, so we are to Christ. He knows each one of us. A Shepherd knows each sheep on sight. He recognizes them, He knows how many He has and He recognizes the cry of His sheep. What does it do for you to realize that when you cry out to God - He recognizes your voice the moment He hears it. You are not just one voice in a sea of thousands. But you have the distinct cry of a child of God. He know you, recognizes you as soon as He sees you and He knows just where you are every moment of every day. Even when you have gone astray - He looks, listens and goes after you to bring you Home. A Shepherd loves His sheep.

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Jesus' sacrifice not only purchased the sheep that already belonged to God, the Nation of Israel, but He also made the way for the Gentile believers to come and be a part of His flock. One Flock, not two. The marriage of the Old Covenant was put to rest when Christ breathed His last on the cross and the New Covenant was brought to life when Christ rose from the dead. This fulfillment of the Old Covenant and introduction of a New Covenant is all born of one plan that originated before time began. A plan that was set in motion the moment mankind sinned in the Garden and a plan that time has been moving toward that will culminate in the ultimate victory of God over Satan and the welcoming of ALL THE SHEEP OF GOD into His Kingdom... Oh Glory will it ever be good to finally go Home.

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Another thing we see in this verse of Scripture is that not only does the Shepherd know the cry of His sheep, but the sheep also know their Shepherd's voice. They listen and follow His direction. We don't just follow anyone claiming to be the truth, the more time we spend with our Shepherd, the more we know Him and are able to recognize Him as the truth that sets us free. We are His sheep, are you listening for His voice.

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Think of this... The Lamb slain before the foundation of the world is introduced in Heaven. The promise and the provision of God are declared and fulfilled in Him. We will be there before the throne of God and serve Him night and day in His temple. If that were not enough, we will never experience hunger, thirst... Our bodies will never be scorched by the sun and its searing heat. We will have the ultimate sunblock in Heaven! Think of that the next time you go to the pool! WOO HOO! Why is Jesus such a good Shepherd, because He has also been a sheep. The perfect spotless Lamb who was sacrificed and returned to lead His sheep Home to the House of His Father. He will exchange our tears for living water... Water that once poured from our eyes and our broken hearts will be removed and water that brings life and quenches our eternal thirst will be given to us so that we will truly thirst no more. Glory, Glory, Glory she cried all the way HOME!
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As you weigh the Word today, read this standard Psalm of our faith with fresh eyes. With eyes that Identify Christ as not only "The Lord is our Shepherd..." Personalize it, get specific and then Praise Him for it with everything you have. To Him be the Glory, Forever and Ever, Amen.
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