E lisha was trembling in the cold icy rain falling on the temple flocks. He had been out here fourteen days now, earning a meager wage to help support his mom and little brothers and sisters. His uncle had explained the importance of the job, and how rare it was for someone only fourteen years old to have. But it was a bitterly cold winter and some of the older shepherds were staying close to their family fires.
Sometimes he wished he were back home with his family, celebrating the Festival of Lights. The warm home, a special meal and the remembrance of God’s great provision for his people warmed him, but only in his imagination.
The flock was special. All of the lambs were to be perfect sacrifices for the temple services in Jerusalem. He looked forward to the spring days when they would drive the flock to the temple holding pens. Beautiful women, singing children, singing crowds of people marching to Jerusalem to sacrifice the Passover lamb. People from all over the world. But he felt sad too. The lambs would all be slaughtered.