In Judea and other eastern countries, where flocks and herds constituted the riches, and the feeding of them the chief employment of the principal inhabitants, practices prevailed very different from what we have been accustomed to see. Instead of a keeper following the sheep, and employing dogs on all occasions to drive them (for the use of dogs in Judea was to defend the flocks from the wild beasts of the forest and the field, and to give notice of their approach), the shepherd himself walked before the sheep, whether he led them to pasture, water, or the fold. The shepherd's going before the sheep and leading them to pure waters and verdant pastures, is a very striking and beautiful representation of God's preventing grace and continual help.
