God Shepherds a Grumbling Israel Like a Flock

"And Moses caused Israel to journey" (Exodus 15:22). This is what Scripture says: "And He led forth His people like a flock" (Psalms 78:52). Just as the flock scatters in flight and the shepherd gathers them in, so were Israel in the wilderness, quarreling and weeping and complaining, as it is said, "How often did they rebel against Him in the wilderness" (Psalms 78:40). Yet, as it were, the Holy One, blessed be He, did not withdraw from them, but led them like a flock, as it is said, "And Moses caused Israel to journey." Another interpretation: Just as the flock breaks the trees and yet its owner is not strict with it, so it says, "And you, My flock, the flock of My pasture, are men" (Ezekiel 34:31), a flock with respect to punishments and men with respect to the granting of reward. Another interpretation: Why "like a flock"? Just as the shepherd guards his flock by day from the heat and by night from the wolves, so was the Holy One, blessed be He, as it is said, "The pillar of cloud departed not" (and so on), and it says, "And there shall be a booth for a shadow in the daytime" (Isaiah 4:6), and it says, "You led Your people like a flock" (Psalms 77:21).