Since goats are also "kosher" why did Messiah separate the sheep and goats in his reference in Matthew 25? I've actually heard Christians say that Messiah rendered swine edible, but goats are terrible . . . As a goat rancher or herder or whatever the title is that applies to someone with goats, I've pondered this, and been blessed to live yet another agrarian parable.
When I first began homesteading I had sheep and goats, and they were kept separately for requirements regarding feed, as well as being just very different creatures. Goats require more copper in their diet than sheep, and too much copper for sheep can be lethal, so they were separate. I no longer raise sheep for several reasons that I find quite valid.
First and foremost, they are just not very bright, or entertaining for that matter. Perhaps the Scriptural comparison is more "mirror" than I can take. Sheep are not nearly as sociable or interactive as goats, and I don't like the flavor of lamb as well as I like chevon. Goat meat is so much more versatile than lamb. I can cook goat meat in every recipe I have for beef, venison, and lamb; whereas lamb is good in recipes for lamb.[period] I don't drink sheep milk, not even interested in trying to milk one, and the hardest work I've ever done in my life is shearing sheep. Needless to say, I can't do it the way those guys in Australia do. To shear the three sheep I was raising, took all of the morning, I didn't do a good job, and it took days for my arm to stop feeling the vibration of those heavy duty shears. Professionals don't even consider shearing less than 50. The lanolin was great for my skin, but it was just a great price to pay.
Goats on the other hand, are entertaining, much more independent and survival savvy. Their milk is delicious and I even use it to make products in my business. So, lets get down to the brass tacks of the difference between sheep and goats and what Messiah may have been indicating by this.
Now that I have been shepherdess to both, I have a few points of observation. Sheep follow the shepherd, or simply get lost, they don't have their own agenda. Goats on the other hand, follow the shepherd for three days, then they "lead the way" in the routine, and there is no changing that without a major battle.
Sheep are very dependent and eat the grass all the way to the ground, all the way to the ground . . . They must be moved regularly. Goats are wasteful and prefer reaching for the highest leaves or jumping on the tallest hay bale. They prefer a superior position. I've also noticed something that truly astounded me. Sheep will herd together and color makes no difference. The white sheep do not treat the black sheep or the spotted sheep differently. By that same token, the black sheep get along with all the other sheep, regardless of color. As for spotted sheep, they tend to be the leaders of the herd, but without the king and queen attitude. Goats on the other hand, will gather according to color and breed. I have a mixed herd, but it would be very rare to ever see a spotted goat sharing the same pan with a brown one. The only exception to this color and breed rule is the bucks through breeding season. They love all the nannies . . .
Now, one thing they do have in common, is the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence, but a sheep will just get caught in the fence, either their head or their wool, while a goat will manage a way to the other side and often it's very unclear just how they got there, but there they are, and they will lead other goats out of the security of the pasture.
Goats like excitement, sheep prefer calm, peace if you will.
I believe the biggest difference, yet similarity is the fact that both species are kosher or clean by Scriptural standards, and no Messiah Y'hshuwah didn't declare a swap between swine and goats. Swine are still unclean. But sheep are clearly and utterly dependent upon their shepherd daily. Goats watch, "study" if you will, then establish their own rituals which are good, but not ordered by their shepherd. Once my goats learn the ritual of feed time or the milking parlor, they lead me, or at least attempt, and there is no distracting them on their way to accomplishing their ritual agenda.
I truly believe my queen goats hear me turn on the stove in the morning when I'm making coffee. I know they notice any movement of curtains on my part, and then the noise begins. They can rally the whole herd to start sounding off. Goats are rather insistent and ritualistic in their expectations, which then inspires my little donkey to begin braying. It all sounds a perhaps bit like some prayer meetings . . . but I believe that's a parable for another day.
If I were to compare goats and sheep to people, I would say goats have the anecdotes while sheep have the testimony . . . If I were to compare goats and sheep to people, I'd say goats have the drama while sheep have the mundane report of provision . . . If I were to compare goats and sheep to people, I'd say goats have "grace" while sheep have merciful instruction to follow. If I were to compare goats and sheep to people, I would say goats are entertaining and sheep are persevering . . . If I were to compare goats and sheep to people, I would say goats prefer the exulted mountain tops, while sheep prefer the simple pasture . . . If I were to compare goats and sheep to people, I would say, "Know which one Y'hshuwah calls you."
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