Flocks and Herds

(Proverbs 27:23 KJV)  Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds.

Is “flocks” (6629) and “herds” (5739) a redundancy for effect or significant?  The two words mean different things.  The first refers to smaller animals and is almost always about sheep.  The second is more general and includes large animals.  I would summit that this is a broad statement about the large and small concerns we have in life.

Yet it involves more than small concerns.  Both classes represent creatures that are dependent.  They trust you to care for them and be concerned for their welfare.  If you don’t pay attention, they suffer.  If you are negligent it can lead to tragedy.  Most of us have flocks or herds.  Many of us have both.  This is a call to living up to our responsibilities.

So?  What are your big and little demands?  It could be children, parents, neighbors, employees or just the family pet.  We are reminded to pay attention and be responsible.