FED, FEED
The expression of feeding in Scripture is, sometimes applied in a good sense, and sometimes in a bad one. When men are nourished with the word of life, they are said to be fed. Hence the Lord promised to give pastors to the church, "that should feed his people with understanding and knowledge?" (Jeremiah 3:15) And on the contrary, in those who take up with false doctrines, they are said to feed on wind. (Hosea 12:5) to feed on ashes, and the like. (Isaiah 44:20)
But the general and principal use of the term in Scripture of feeding, is applied to the Lord Jesus Christ. "He shall feed his flock like a shepherd." (Isaiah 44:11) And as feeding is a comprehensive expression, to denote every thing relating to the office of a shepherd, so whenever this act of love and attention is spoken of in allusion to the Lord Jesus Christ, it means to convey the whole of his character, both in his relation as a shepherd to his people, and the tenderness of his care over them. The church is his flock, his property, his purchase, his glory. He hath a perfect knowledge of all his sheep. He provides pasture; yea, is himself their food and portion. He protects from beasts of prey, heals the diseased, gathers home the wanderer, leads the flock out to wholesome pastures, and, in short, doth the whole office of a shepherd; and doth it in such a way, and with so much love and tenderness, that they are most blessed who belong to his fold. Sweet thought of the Psalmist, and which equally may be taken up by every lamb of Christ's fo1d: "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want." (Psalms 23:1-6 throughout.)