When he has brought all his own outside, he goes ahead of them. The sheep follow him because they know his voice. John 10:4 (CSB)
I love this idea of the shepherd going ahead of His flock. Actually, shepherds lead their sheep rather than driving them. If you have ever watched old westerns, you have seen Cowboys drive cattle from behind. Sheep are completely different. Shepherds go before their flocks so they can direct them and guide them. This is exactly what John 10:4 is talking about when it says, “he goes ahead of them.” He doesn’t force us, He guides us. He doesn’t drive us like a herd! He walks ahead of us and beside us showing us the way.
