[This is one in a series of devotional reflections prepared for Horley Baptist Church during May 2023]
The Kid’s in the Freezer – Is your daughter delving for a pizza, is your son searching for ice cream? No, in this case the kid actually is in the freezer but before you call the child protection agency we should disclose that we are talking about a young goat.
Goats’ milk is considered to be healthy and, worldwide, more people consume goats’ milk rather than that of cows. Goats are easier than cows or sheep to raise, especially in less-developed areas. Goats’ cheese is a tasty alternative to more common dairy products, especially when obtained from a local source. Of course, to have goats’ milk you have to have kids but they quickly become surplus to the process.
The consumption of goat meat is not common in the UK but in many other parts of the world it is a staple of the local diet. In Asia and parts of Africa, goat curry is a popular dish. Indeed, I recall discussing this with a pastor from Uganda; his liking for that dish was no doubt one of the sacrifices he had to make when he subsequently became the Archbishop of York.
Why do we think that goats get such a bad press in the Bible? Certainly, the illustration that Jesus gave of the judgement to come[1] does make a distinction between sheep and goats. Some might suggest that describing sheep being on the right and goats on the left can be considered as a comment on the British political system but a more careful reading of the context shows that the comparison between sheep and goats is simply an illustration of how a shepherd might differentiate his flock.
When the Great Shepherd comes to judge his flock the criteria are not those of birth (sheep or goats) or of affiliation (right or left) but rather how we have behaved as his followers. Are you ready for that judgement?
By contrast, in the Old Testament goats often appear in a more positive light. They were central to Jacob’s relationship with his extended family, their hair was used in constructing the tabernacle and young goats were often considered to be acceptable alternatives for lambs when offered as sacrifices. However, there is one sacrifice where goats are specified. The book of Leviticus describes the role of the scapegoat.[2] Two goats were to be selected, one to be sacrificed immediately and as for the other …
The goat will carry on itself all their sins to a remote place; and the man shall release it in the wilderness. Leviticus 16 v22 [NIVUK]
Only one man knew where the goat had been taken and even he did not know what happened to it. Was it adopted by a flock of wild goats, was it torn apart by a wild animal, did it survive to an old age? We do not need to know; it is sufficient that God accepted this way of dealing with the people’s sins.
In popular parlance a scapegoat is someone who takes the blame for the shortcomings or misdeeds of others. Do you recognise that Jesus himself has taken on the role of scapegoat for you? Has your sin been dealt with in a way that is acceptable to God? If so, and in the context of the coming judgement, what should be your response?
Resources:
[1] Matthew 25 v33
[2] Leviticus 16
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Contributed by Steve Humphreys; © Steve Humphreys
The sheep are going to get a shock at the next election!
Maybe, but the goats will still carry the blame.
Hi Steve,
Another point to consider is that in Eastern countries sheep and goats look very much alike so separating the sheep from the goats takes some observation.