Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren.
Joseph began his life as a shepherd. We see many in the Scriptures who cared for sheep -Abel, Abraham and David, to mention three. A shepherd is one who cares for animals that, if left alone, cannot really take care of themselves. In the spiritual world we need shepherding care too, not only from those in the body of Christ who act as our shepherds, but most of all from the Lord, that great Shepherd who, as the good Shepherd, laid down His life for the sheep.