A Study of the Johannine Symbol of the Good Shepherd (Jn 10:1-18) with Particular Reference to Ofo Symbol in Igbo, Nigeria by Livinus Maduadichie;

Author:Livinus Maduadichie;
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Peter Lang Copyright AG

3.5.3.1 The hired Hand: His Reaction on Sighting the Wolf

The text is clear that the hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. Hence, he reacts to the detriment of the sheep on sighting the wolf. The reaction is considered the height of betrayal and disappointment to the flock. When the wolf emerges, the instinct of self-preservation sharply stirs up in the hireling. His immediate reaction is to think of himself and his own safety. Instead of attempting to defend and safeguard the sheep entrusted to him from the imminent danger, he provides and delivers his own security first by fleeing away.495

However, other evidences show that the flight of the hireling is not just a sudden action without minimum basic calculations. When one critically considers the verb θεωρεῖν (to see) employed to describe the action of the hireling before he flees, it can be certain that he willfully abandons the flock for his safety. In this regard, it is explained that the verb θεωρεῖν (to see) may be taken as signifying intelligent perception. It may be understood to mean “to look at with concentration, to behold.” In comparison with βλέπειν (cf. John 9:7), it implies greater intensity of sight. All the same, “the hireling somehow understands that the wolf is coming to disperse and to kill the sheep. Therefore, it is not a question of something which happens at once; the hireling knows what will happen and, nonetheless, decides to flee. John uses the verb ἀφίημι (v. 12) to describe the hireling abandoning the sheep.”496 This shows that the hireling is completely aware of the consequence of the appearance of the wolves before the flock. It may be suggested that the action of the hireling against the flock recalls the promise of Jesus the Good Shepherd that he will not leave his disciples alone. “I will not leave you (Οὐκ ἀφήσω ὑμᾶς) desolate (ὀρφανούς: orphans, alone)” (John 14:18).497 This is in contrast with the hireling ←284 | 285→who abandons the flock at the time of need and flees. However, the reaction of the hireling is not without consequence.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.