Posted on 06/20/2019 7:04:21 AM PDT by metmom
“‘Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces’” (Matthew 7:6).
It is clear from this verse that Jesus doesn’t exclude every kind of judgment—here He commands a specific type. But to obey His command, you need to know who the dogs and swine represent.
In biblical times dogs were largely half-wild mongrels that acted as scavengers. They were dirty, greedy, snarling, and often vicious and diseased. No responsible Jew would ever throw to a dog a piece of holy meat that had been consecrated as a sacrifice in the temple. Since no man was allowed to eat this meat, how much less should it have been thrown to wild, filthy dogs.
Swine were considered by the Jews to be the epitome of uncleanness. Like the scavenging dogs, those swine were greedy, vicious, and filthy.
Dogs and swine represent those who, because of their great perversity and ungodliness, refuse to have anything to do with the holy and precious things of God except to trample them under their feet, turning and tearing God’s people to pieces.
Jesus’ point is that certain truths and blessings of our faith are not to be shared with people who are totally antagonistic to the things of God. Such people have no appreciation for what is holy and righteous. They will take that which is holy, the pearls of God’s Word, as foolishness and an insult. We need not waste God’s holy Word on those who both reject it and mock it.
Ask Yourself
What are some specific situations in your own daily experience where the wisdom of this statement really comes into play? What should you watch for in others to see whether they’re perhaps becoming receptive to Christ and His Word? Until then, what’s the best way to stay true to your faith in their presence?
Studying God’s Word ping
:: In biblical times dogs were largely half-wild mongrels that acted as scavengers. They were dirty, greedy, snarling, and often vicious and diseased. ::
In light of Matthew 15:27, this appears to be a rather...ummm...”selective interpretation” of Biblical history.
“Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”
Seems that way to me, too. Although, it is interesting to look at this verse along side "Judge not..."
The hell with that BS. My dog, a mutt impersonating a Shepherd, is more worthy of a nice bone-in ribeye that any low life who kills animals in an ersatz sacrifice to God.
How's that again? Leviticus 6:26, et al.
Not quite right, just partially. You forgot several other chapters in Leviticus. :) It depended on the type of sacrifice or offering. A free will (thanks) offering could be offered by anyone and they had to eat it and could share it (I think they could share it). Sin and guilt offerings were offered by the offender, but the priest killed the sacrifice and was the only one who could eat it - not the one who brought the sacrifice. But if it is a burnt offering, or a peace offering, it is all to be burnt and is pleasing to the Lord - nobody eats it.
So, you got about one third of it right.
That is true but it does not take
Anything away from the scripture.
A successful application for this verse for me has been simply to note when you share pearls with someone, whether it is God’s Word, a kindness or good deed, do they respond with gratitude or hostility or more demands? I have known a lot of people who I have helped, who then turned around and treated me badly. Those are the swine, and I simply stop casting pearls in their direction. No judgment involved, just discovery.
We can always find something in a thread to disagree on but the point is
to not try to discuss the gospel with some one who you know will just redicule it.
It is just as stupid as giving a dog a birth day gift or a hog a pearl.
Well, yes it does since Jesus called the begging woman (gentile) a dog, the re-interpretation indicates that Jesus was implying that the woman was a greedy, snarling, vicious gentile; an untamable beast not worthy of salvation. Yet Jesus forgives her sins according to her Faith.
Jesus does not de-humanize the woman but grants her salvation.
So, yes, it does change how we view the Scripture...as a whole.
That could be I guess, maybe I am not on the same page.
HMMmm..
I'm not sure where you are wanting to go with this...
"Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints? Do you not know that the saints will judge the world?... And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters?... Do you not know that we shall judge angels?... How much more, things that pertain to this life?.. If then you have judgments concerning things pertaining to this life, do you appoint those who are least esteemed by the church to judge ? (1 Corinthians 6:1-5).
Many commands of God require the exercise of righteous judgment.
"But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us" (2 Thessalonians 3:6).
"And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother" (2 Thessalonians 3:14,15).
"Teach and exhort these things. If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless wrangling of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself" (2 Timothy 6:2b-5).
"Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple" (Romans 16:17,18).
All these commands require the careful exercise of righteousness judgment. Do not be deceived by smooth words and flattering speech. Beware of wolves who come to you with a sheep's skin.
We must be careful not to make unqualified judgments. But we must judge appropriately when commanded to do so.
"Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment." (John 7:24).
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