The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
The hired hand runs away because he's just doing a job, he doesn't actually care about the sheep.
When it's just a paycheck, people will bail when things get tough.
📚 Historical Context
In the time of Jesus, shepherds were a common sight in Jewish society, and the metaphor of a shepherd was often used to describe leaders who were responsible for guiding and protecting their people. Jesus employs this imagery in John 10 to contrast Himself as the Good Shepherd who sacrificially cares for His flock with the hireling, who is motivated by self-interest and flees when danger arises. This teaching was aimed at the religious leaders of Jesus' day, whom He accused of neglecting their duties to God's people.
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