Fear not little flockLuke 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
Three common words are chosen in scripture to suggest to human sense the nature & character of God They are these
Shepherd - Father - Mother
ShepherdAs Written:Shep - The Hebrew bard sang The Lord is my ShepherdAs Written:S. Fear not
FatherAs Written:Fath. - Our Master said all things are deliveredAs Written:deliv. unto me of my fatherAs Written:f. & none knoweth the son but the fatherMatt 11:27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.
MotherAs Written:Moth. - The wise man saith in CanticlesEditorial Note: Song of Solomon. “My dove my undefiled is but one She is the only one of her Mother”Song 6:9 My dove, my undefiled is but one; she is the only one of her mother, she is the choice one of her that bare her. The daughters saw her, and blessed her; yea, the queens and the concubines, and they praised her.
The scriptures describe the dove swift in flight of mournful tone dwelling on rocks, innocent the emblem of peace & love
Dove Symbol of Science
The Motherhood of God
Shepherd Fear not is the keynote for every new dispensation of Truth
Angels utteredAs Written:utterd this true tone and music of mind fear not to Zacharias but the ancient Priest had more faith in physical law than he had in the promise of God and required a signLuke 1:18 And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. Luke 1:19 And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings. Luke 1:20 And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season. Sign of silence As if to say the prophet of the old shall lead no more until the coming of the new
The great Shepherd builds a tower
He giveth a staffPs 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
He leadeth forth in the morn
He bringeth back the wandererLuke 15:11 ¶And he said, A certain man had two sons: Luke 15:12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. Luke 15:13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. Luke 15:14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. Luke 15:15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. Luke 15:16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. Luke 15:17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! Luke 15:18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, Luke 15:19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. Luke 15:20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. Luke 15:21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. Luke 15:22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: Luke 15:23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: Luke 15:24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. Luke 15:25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing. Luke 15:26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. Luke 15:27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. Luke 15:28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and entreated him. Luke 15:29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: Luke 15:30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. Luke 15:31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. Luke 15:32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found. Editorial Note: Allusions to the wanderer often refer to Jesus' parable of the prodigal son.
He numbers his flock by passing them under his rodLev 27:32 And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, even of whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the Lord.
Closing
Fear not little flock for it is your father'sAs Written:f's good pleasure to give you the kingdomLuke 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.