Posted on 09/28/2015 6:45:14 PM PDT by Faith Presses On
“...asked for the benefit of the people listening...”
I think Jesus talking about the children's food and not giving it to the dogs (and then relenting) was for His disciple's benefit as well. I'm sure they remembered this event when they were prompted by the Holy Spirit to advance the Gospel to the Gentiles.
The woman did not have a correct perspective as she said to Jesus “Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David” (Mat 15:22) but the woman is not a Jew and Jesus ignored her. Jesus mission was to present the Kingdom to Israel as he told his disciples. The woman comes again not addressing him with his Jewish title “Mat 15:25 Then came she and worshiped him, saying, Lord, help me.” Then Jesus discoursed with the woman and showed her faith as a witness to the disciples. But if you don’t believe in who Jesus says he is how would you know he was schooling his disciples.
More evil than the Gnostics, "intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind," (Colossians 2:18) And idolaters, "Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools." (Romans 1:22),
The Lord knew what He was doing just as He did when He asked the downcast bewildered disciples on the road to Damascus, "what things" that they were sad about. (LK. 24:15-19)
The Lord tested her faith and set her as an example to the Jewish disciples present. The Lord fully intended to help as He did to all who came to Him out of poor and contrite heart. And while the term "dog" seemed to be a put down (and perhaps denoted little puppies), the Lord called Jews "evil" (Mt. 7:11) and Jacob himself was called a "worm" by God: "Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the Lord, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel." (Isaiah 41:14)
Likewise the Lord of the nation of worms would help this women, and it was by no means the Lord who was schooled but the disciples that were present who would have been very insulted by such an insult. The use of "dog" served to remind her and confirm to the Jews that she was one who have no covenantal right to expect God would grant her ahead of His chosen people. She was basically like an immigrant who did not have the rights of a civilian. Yet this women did not even flinch, but exampled the kind of humble yet determined faith that, like the wrestler Jacob, was determined to obtain her favor of the Lord. And which the disciples needed, as well as us.
And it also exampled that those who were outside the Abrahamic covenant by blood, also had access to Christ an could become fellow citizen with Jews in the kingdom of God. Which would be realized under the New Covenant. And like him, the Lord fully intended to help this women, who has not at all offended due to some pride, but
He knew (and knows) all things, and He knew her, just as He knew (and knows) others. In the Gospels Jesus often says and does similar things, such as when he asks the disciples how to feed the multitude, all the while knowing what He was going to do:
“When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat? And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.” (John 6:5-6)
Oops - I should have read this before I post #21. At least I seem to recall the purpose half-way correctly! Thanks for your detailed and spirit-filled post. And I’m always amazed at the deeper meaning of the words in the original language.
At church, the pastor that leads our adult Sunday School is pretty smart on all of that and it sure helps with the meanings. Last Sunday he was talking about Paul, and Paul using the term “test” and “tempt”. I guess the original word (Greek???) is the same word - but by the context scholars can figure it out most of the time. But some passages they aren’t clear. With the “test” being from God to test one’s faith (like the Samarian woman), or the “tempt” being more of a temptation from Satan. (I think I got that right).
I asked him if it would have been understood by the way the speaker spoke the word. “We don’t know - maybe? But there is no indication of it.”
Sorry for the aside. Although I suppose it would fit into this discussion on liberal theologians - that might say God would tempt you to sin.
I think Jesus was teasing her and that they were having a little humor.
maybe this woman priest can explain to God How God’s Son ‘got schooled’ at judgment day- I bet God will be really impressed with her faulty logic-
Jesus was God and all knowing. This lady is nutz.
Another example is when the woman touched Jesus's garment to be healed of her illness, and in turn, Jesus asked who touched Him.
He knew people would scoff at such a question because He was in the midst of a crowd.
But Jesus also knew who touched Him.
He wanted her to speak up and witness in front of everyone about her faith in Him and how it healed her.
Its a shame what has happened to the Episcopal Church.
Ruined by lesbian / gay pastors, activists who twist the word of God however they see fit.
I will hate to see their faces on judgement day. They will be so self assured, it will be sad.
+1
interesting observations on the text! thanks.
I've noticed this tactic before...
It must amuse God to observe finite humans attempt to apprehend the mind of an infinite God.
Hence the old adage; if you wish to amuse God tell him of your plans.
Yep. I really think this is the lesson from this text. That we are to pursue Jesus desperately and with faith. The woman at the well is amother example. She may have not been pursuing Jesus but her social situation was desperate.
Just another feminist priest trying to say wymmyn are smarter than men.
What an unfortunate misunderstanding of God’s Word, and Jesus.
It’s definitely not “an embarrassing incident in scripture” unless you fail to rightly divide the Word, and do not know Love Himself. Many here have already pointed out some key points, dispensational aspects of this, and Jesus demonstrating compassion for his disciples who wanted her sent away for annoying them. I would suggest a very simple way of understanding their interaction. Its the difference between begging and believing.
When Jesus found faith, miracles happened. When there was doubt, fear, unbelief, or begging - which is a type of fear and unbelief, faith was contaminated and miracles were delayed or denied. You can see this same thread of Truth through many of his miracles, and also where he could do little. (Matthew 13:57-58, Mark 6:4-6)
We don’t have to beg, simply believe His Word. Note what happens when she changes her tune. Jesus even praises her faith. He was drawing it out of her, getting her to put her confidence in Him - believing in the Living Word and confessing her faith. When you remove the religious glasses, and look at this miracle through the eyes of Love, you see the wonderful compassion and perfect timing of our Lord.
28 Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.
The word translated wilt could also be desire. God gives you the desire of your heart (spirit) which is where faith dwells. (Psalm 37:4, Mark 11:22-23) You can see this in the way we are saved - believe in the heart, confess with your mouth. (Romans 10:8-11)
See the water to wine miracle, Centurion, the father of the possessed boy, and the Nobleman’s son miracles for similar examples.
In His divine nature, He knew exactly what would happen, and when.
5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was.
John 11:5-6
Jesus is THE TRUTH. He doesn’t “re-align”, the cosmos must align to Him.
It was the Syrian woman who needed to get her mind right and demonstrate her faith through persistence.
These are probably the same people that interpret Lot’s wife turning to a pillar of salt as
“she was representing a pillar of the community because she cared so much about the people of Sodom that she looked back in sympathy”.
Yes, I’ve heard this from someone going to a liberal divinity school.
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