74 SCRIPTURE NATURAL HISTORY; 



board after them ; whence, with a little exaggeration, the story of 

 having carts to carry their tails. 



The sheep or lamb was the common sacrifice under the Mosaic 

 law ; and it is to be remarked, that when the divine Legislator speaks 

 of this victim, he never omits to appoint, that the rump or tail be 

 laid whole on the fire of the altar. The reason for this has just 

 been stated. It was the most delicate part of the animal, and there- 

 fore the most proper to be presented in sacrifice to Jehovah. Mr. 

 Street considers that the precept had additional respect to the 

 health of the Israelites, observing, that 'bilious disorders are very 

 frequent in hot countries ; the eating of fat meat is a great encour- 

 agement and excitement to them ; and though the fat of the tail is 

 now considered as a delicacy, it is really unwholesome.' 



In a domesticated state, the sheep, as already suggested, is a weak 

 and defenceless animal, and is, therefore, altogether dependent up- 

 on its keeper for protection as well as support. To this trait in its 

 character, there are several beautiful allusions in the sacred writings. 

 Thus, Micah describes the destitute condition of the Jews, as a flock 

 ' scattered upon the hills, as sheep that have not a shepherd,' (1 

 Kings xxii. 17. See also Matt. ix. 36) ; and Zechariah prophesied 

 that when the good shepherd should be smitten and removed from 

 his flock, the sheep should be scattered, Zech. xiii. 7. To the dis- 

 position of these animals to wander from the fold, and thus abandon 

 themselves to danger and destruction, there are also several allusions 

 made by the inspired writers. David confesses that he had imita- 

 ted their foolish conduct : ' I have gone astray like a lost sheep ;' 

 and conscious that, like them, he was only disposed to wander still 

 further from the fold, he adds, ' seek thy servant,' Psalm cxix. 176. 

 Nor was this disposition to abandon the paternal care of God peculiar 

 to David; for the prophet adopts similar language to depict the dan- 

 gerous and awful condition of the entire species : * All we like 

 sheep have gone astray ; we have turned every one to his own way,' 

 Isaiah liii. 6. It was to seek these ' lost sheep,' scattered abroad, 

 and having no shepherd, that the blessed Redeemer came into the 

 world. He is * the good shepherd, who gave his life for the sheep,' 

 (John x. II,) and his people, though formerly 'as sheep going 

 astray,' have now 'returned to the shepherd and bishop of their 

 souls,' 1 Peter ii. 25. His care over them, and their security under 

 his protection, is most beautifully and affectingly described in the 

 chapter which we just now cited. ' He calleth his own sheep by 

 name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own 

 sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him ; for they 

 know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow^ but will flee 

 from him ; for they know not the voice of strangers. I am the 

 door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and 

 robbers ; but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door : by me 

 if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, 

 and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and 

 to kill, and to destroy. I am come that they might have life, 



