Wednesday: Crumbs From the Table
After feeding, healing, and preaching to His own Jewish people, Jesus makes a dramatic decision. He leaves the area of the Jews and enters the region of the outsiders, the Gentiles.
Read Matthew 15:21-28. How are we to understand this story?
Image © Standard Publishing from GoodSalt.com
In many ways, this isn’t an easy story to read, because we’re without the benefit of voice tone and facial expressions. At first Jesus seems to ignore this woman; then, when He does talk to her, His words seem very harsh: “‘It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs’” (Matthew 15:26, NIV).
What if you tried this approach? Someone asks if they can have some of your chips, and you respond, “It is not right to toss my chips to the dogs.” Not exactly a way to win friends, is it?
However, here are a few things to consider.
First, it is true that at this time the Jews referred to Gentiles as dogs, bringing the image of mangy dogs running the streets. But Jesus uses the more affectionate Greek term, “small dog” (or “puppy dog”) here, conjuring up domestic dogs kept in the home and fed from the table.
Second, this Canaanite woman calls Jesus the “Son of David.” This shows her familiarity with Jesus’ Jewishness. Like a good teacher, Jesus dialogs with her and perhaps tests her. Craig Keener writes: “Perhaps he is requiring her to understand his true mission and identity, lest she treat him as one of the many wandering magicians to whom Gentiles sometimes appealed for exorcisms. Yet he is surely summoning her to recognize Israel’s priority in the divine plan, a recognition that for her will include an admission of her dependent status … One may compare Elisha’s requirement that Naaman dip in the Jordan despite Naaman’s preference for the Aramean rivers Abana and Pharpar …, ultimately leading to Naaman’s acknowledgment of Israel’s God and land (2 Kings 5:17-18).”—The Gospel of Matthew: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary, p. 417.
Finally, it’s likely this woman was an upper-class Greek woman who was part of a class that had “routinely taken the bread belonging to the impoverished Jews residing in the vicinity of Tyre … Now … Jesus reverses the power relations, for the ‘bread’ Jesus offers belongs to Israel first … ; this ‘Greek’ must beg help from an itinerant Jew.”—The Gospel of Matthew: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary, p. 417.
This is not an easy passage, but we have to trust Jesus. By dialoging with this woman, Jesus dignifies her—just as He did the woman at the well. She leaves with her daughter healed and her faith in the Son of David ignited.
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I would think that the faith of the woman had already been ignited to cause her to even have any faith in Jesus' power and willingness to heal her daughter. This may be the reason she was not put off by Jesus remark about the children and the dogs.
This may show the possibility of the work of the Holy Spirit on the mind and heart of even a heathen woman. Maybe she was not so heathen anyway. She shows indication of faith and humility which is not a virtue of selfishness but of the Holy Spirit. It seems that she had more faith than the people of Jesus' home town (or the leaders of Jesus' church for that matter).
The question is: do we have this Spirit as effectively as that woman did? Are we, Christians, as humble and as determined to receive the blessings of God as she was? Could it be that a "heathen" might go in to the kingdom before me?
Anyone can listen to the Holy Spirit because He is as close as our own conscience. However it takes a conscious choice every "now" of our life whether to listen to the Holy Spirit about the present situation or to go forward on the motivation of our own pre-set habit patterns.
We only have speculation into details. The whys and wherefores. The one thing that stands out in my mind is the method that Jesus used to control an unsavory situation between Jews and Gentiles and, come away with a declaration in Matt.15:28.Woman, Great is your faith. Just the opposite to Peter. Matt14:31 A lesson that we might ponder when ours grows a little weak.
This verse is insulting and when used today, one will spill on you and eventually leave. But what is the exact meaning?
Jesus was teaching the disciples, and He began by illustrating how Jews normally treated Gentiles, and the woman did not consider this unusual.In fsct, she must have sensed His compassion because she was not discouraged by His initial reply.
A thought I value, relating to Jesus' interaction with the woman, is that
"Beneath the apparent refusal of Jesus, she saw a compassion that he could not hide." (Desire of Ages p.401)
In her earnestness she saw it, and she would not be discouraged. Beautiful! Jesus knew exactly what He was doing; He understood the woman's condition, and He knew how far He could go with her. She was in earnest for her young daughter's sake, and she would not be put off. What a lesson for the disciples! They learned important things that day.
I totally love this passage in the Bible. In view of the faith of the woman which Jesus is now testing with teasing. How controlled, how tender, how encouraging! To say, " Yes you are on the right track. Now come on! I believe in you! Take one step higher! You don't have this problem for nothing. Instead of stumbling over it, use your faith and step right on it! to fellowship with your Saviour and the One who sent me!"
O for faith to accept God's belief in us...that we can do it...in His strength. What an invitation! Today! No wonder I betimes call my children "Doggie!" and they know what it means...they smile from deep inside when they hear that. Thanks to my late mom-in-law who coined that term. I merely adopted it and found the profound motivation in His word! I knew there were something good about that name. I just think I'm using it way too little lately...
The lesson highlights the breaking down of barriers externally /internally and correcting erroneous teachings.
What struck me of this woman's faith , is the fact that irrespective of the "insults", she worshipped Jesus.
This teaches us a lesson, that even in adversity and severe testing, we ought to worship God. Some of the greatest acts / miracles happens when we are faced with great tests and our faith in God remains unshaken. She has also opened up the way for women of that time, to demonstrate their faith and love for God, which was mainly closed off to them. Last point, God is not a respecter of persons, with the little she knew of Jesus, she believed in Him wholeheartedly . Calvary's Love . Joe
The lesson admits that this is not an easy passage. I just find it strange that a NT scholar was referred to and no reference made from SOP. In Desire of Ages, Ellen White suggests that Jesus was mainly reflecting the common attitude of the Jews to make a point:
"Christ did not immediately reply to the woman’s request. He received this representative of a despised race as the Jews would have done. In this He designed that His disciples should be impressed with the cold and heartless manner in which the Jews would treat such a case, as evinced by His reception of the woman, and the compassionate manner in which He would have them deal with such distress, as manifested by His subsequent granting of her petition." {DA 400.2}
I'm not suggesting that we should immediately go to SOP for every difficult passage but wrestle with it the best way we can. But we shouldn't ignore the prophet either.
The Desire of Ages offers great insight into this story. It is a beautiful one indeed, but also an open rebuke to the Jewish nation at that time and perhaps to God's chosen remnant church of this time.
"Jesus said, “I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the houseof Israel.” Although this answer appeared to be in accordance with the prejudice of the Jews, it was an implied rebuke to the disciples, which they afterward understood as reminding them of what He had often told them,—that He came to the world to save all who would accept Him. DA 400.3.......By His dealings with her, He has shown that she who has been regarded as an outcast from Israel is no longer an alien, but a child in God’s household. As a child it is her privilege to share in the Father’s gifts. Christ now grants her request, and finishes the lesson to the disciples. Turning to her with a look of pity and love, He says, “O woman, great is thy faith:be it unto thee even as thou wilt.” From that hour her
daughter became whole. The demon troubled her no more. The woman departed, acknowledging her Saviour, and happy in the granting of her prayer". DA 401.3
This was the only miracle that Jesus wrought while on this journey. It was for the performance of this act that He went to the borders of Tyre and Sidon. He wished to relieve the afflicted woman, and at the same time to leave an example in His work of mercy toward one of a despised people for the benefit of His disciples when He should no longer be with them. He wished to lead them from their Jewish exclusiveness to be interested in working for others besides their own people. DA 402.1
Paul wrote:
"Just the opposite to Peter. Matt 14:31"
Yes! When Peter started walking on water, he probably thought: "I must have greater faith than the rest of the disciples who are in the boat." This led Jesus to show that the opposite was true. His apparent great faith became tainted with pride, which weakened his faith and he became the object of Jesus' reprimand.
I like this story/parable, my Pastor preached on this. To sum it up, he says no matter how you are disrespected/treated unfairly, if the crumbs are coming from the master's table than it has to be for your good. (if you are in the will of God)
So if you are in a marriage and your husband/wife is being mean and mistreating you, but it is God's will for you to be in that marriage then it will work out for your good. I place myself here in a lot of situations and circumstances, because I just want to be in the will of God, and if I am in the will of God all things will work together for my good.
First of all I question if it is true that Jews commonly called Gentiles dogs at this time. Although this is often brought up, no evidence has ever been found to support that claim. However it is true that others have often referred to Jews as dogs. Throughout history the charge that Jews despise Gentiles has been used as a pretext for all kinds of evil against them. This continues even to this day despite polls and studies that show Jews are among the least prejudiced and least bigoted people not the most.
Once we eliminate the negative idiom we can see that Jesus is no more trying to insult her or her daughter by calling them puppies, than he is trying to insult His people by calling them little children (which also could be wrongly taken as offensive). Jesus is giving an analogy and we should not take the meaning to literally or overreaching. It is a simple principle He was alluding to here. No offense was directed to the woman or His own people.
Robert,
You write that "no evidence has ever been found" to support the claim that the Jews [in the time of Jesus] regarded the Gentiles as "dogs".
Might I submit the following comment from Alfred Edersheim [found in his book "The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah"]?
"...And, certainly, no expression [is] more common in the mouth of the Jews, than that which designated the heathens as dogs." Edersheim cites the following Talmudic references as proof texts - Midrash on Ps. iv.8; Megillah 7 b, and adds that "many passages might be quoted either similar, or based on this view of Gentiles."
Stewart,
I believe Edersheim is sadly mistaken in this case. 1) Those passages he cites do not support that claim. 2) The Talmudic passage is not from the time of Jesus or even close (and does not support the accusation) The Midrash Tehillim (Psalms) is from the 10th century. Much to late to be relevant, and again I do not see that passage supports his claim at all as it is not referring to gentiles.
For a full examination of this topic I suggest this paper which covers those and other passages in more detail. http://www.marknanos.com/phil3dogs-reverse-1-17-08.pdf
Robert, I'm afraid that this question cannot be settled by a "paper" two thousand years after the fact. (It seems to me that it is likely that those closer to that time in history were more likely correct than someone from the 20th Century.)
Several thoughts arise from your argument:
1) If it was not customary for Jews to refer to Gentiles as "dogs," it appears to make Jesus look more rude and uncaring than if He used a common epithet as is often used of other nationalities - at least in the western world. To me, the argument that Jesus used a common epithet but softened it is far more believable.
2) This argument is not central to the lesson and, in fact, detracts from the lesson of the day.
If you feel that Jesus classed the woman with "puppies" as a term of endearment, please let us agree to disagree on this topic because it cannot be conclusively proven either way.
Dear Inge,
If your people were accused of commonly calling other people dogs, when you yourself knew of no such tradition how would you feel? Please forgive me for questioning this.
I understand that from a western mind how the words of Jesus may sound cruel, but for Matthew (Mattisyahu) a Jew not a westerner Jesus is citing a principle by way of analogy not a equivalency. No offense is meant, nor I believe was any taken. Of course who I am and what do I know?
That anyway is my perspective and that is how I understand the passage in this lesson, given that we have somewhat different backgrounds you may not be able to understand mine. If this is the case I only ask you to forgive mine, as we both try to learn from Jesus.
Stewart,
Thank you for this clarification about the Jews and dogs. Can you tell us why dogs were regarded so poorly?
Hello Jane. The best I can do, is to suggest a few points :
#1. Firstly, I would refer to Jesus placing dogs and swine on the same level. (Matt 7:6.)
#2. One of the prophecies that pointed forward to Christ's death mentions dogs :
"For dogs have compassed Me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed Me: they pierced My hands and My feet." (Ps 22:16)
In my view - "the wicked have enclosed me"- is an echo of the preceding thought that "dogs have [en]compassed me". So here "dogs" are used to represent "the wicked".
The dogs were notoriously aggressive - pack animals most in their element when animated by the prospect of blood. I would say that literal dogs featured in the story of Jezebel and Ahab in this way. And it was precisely in this way [figuratively] that the crowd bayed for Jesus' blood (Mk 15:14). Dogs compassed Him about, calling for his blood.
#3. But it should be admitted that dogs were useful. Job refers to the "dogs of my flock" (Job 30:1), but still, when he speaks of them, he uses them as a bench-mark for low standing. Job speaks of certain young people who were of even lower status/esteem than his dogs. He would not have set [or allowed to associate] those people, "viler than the earth" (Job 30:8), with his dogs, because the people[!] were so degraded. And yet I still doubt that the working-dogs of that day, were like the relatively happy, domesticated, working-dogs that we have today. Dogs were dogs, and it is unlikely I think, that people [and especially children] would have done something like stroke them.
Puppies, or Little dogs.
Taking up Robert's thought here: Jesus uses the word for "little dogs" (as defined in Thayer's and Young's) or "puppies" (Strong's and Vine's) in his talk with the woman. And I like the fact that the Syro-Phencian woman takes up the same word when she responds to Him. This account is the only story in the whole Bible where that particular word/idea is used, and I've no doubt that Jesus chose the word deliberately. It instantly softened His statement, and I believe that when the woman heard/saw it, she was emboldened and encouraged.
It's not about dogs.
Christ began with people who knew God already, except they needed clarification and encouragement. And Christ provided them with just that. While he did that those considered as outcast or Gentiles also longed for a more powerful God like that of the Jews but Christ needed to start with his own teaching us that we shouldn't neglect our own and focus only on our neighbours salvation. We really need to put things right within us before we reach out to the outside world.
Thou the dogs need to eat as well, but the master needs to feed even more before the dogs are fed. If you have your baby and your dog all hungry, who would you feed first?
Matthew 15:28 - Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! ....
I recall having my first job interview, I was very excited and very eager to get the job. As the interviewer explained the role and responsibilities, I was very accepting of what I heard, but then I was also told I would have to clean tables and the toilets. Being in my late teens at the time I was very sensitive to what my friends would think of me if they saw me cleaning tables or the toilets. But because I was so keen to get this job I was willing to agree to anything the interviewer had said.
I believe that the woman was so desperate for her daughter to be healed that she was prepared to be called or to do anything that Jesus has said because she had a knowledge of who Jesus was and had the faith that He was able to heal her daughter.
Jesus dialogue with the woman demonstrated that there was nothing going to stand in her way to receive healing from Jesus not even being described as a dog.
I am sure there are other and deeper meanings, but there are time when I am low in spirit, the response of this woman, "Lord even the dogs get the crumbs under the table," flashs into my mind. Then our Lord's response turns a light on, my spirit is lifted when He says, "great is your faith, and Luke 7:9, I have not seen greater faith in all of North America." Like David in, Psalms 42:11. I now say, hope in God; for I will praise Him, who is bolstering my countenance and my spirit. For He is my God. If you have doubt, pick up your Steps to Christ and read chapter 12 on doubt, after your coversion, (chapters 1-6), believe me it is well worth reading.
This passage reminds me that sometimes we need to persevere in our requests for God's blessings.
Similar events/parables in the bible tell us this:
(Genesis 32:25-29) When Jacob's leg was wrenched while wrestling, Jacob held onto God 'til God blessed Jacob. It doesn't quite seem fair that God injured Jacob just b/c Jacob wouldn't be overpowered. I'm sure that Jacob was in pain but he held onto God tightly 'til he received God's blessing.
(1 Kings 18:41-16) Elijah had stopped the rain and now it was time for God to return rain. Elijah had to request the return of the rain SEVEN times before they saw signs of the first tiny cloud. Notice something important, Elijah had already instructed the King to start behaving like the rain had come before he started praying. OOOHHHH to know God's will for our lives and to have faith to endure.
(Luke 18:1-8) Jesus describes a parable where a widow seeks justice but her pleas fall onto an unjust judge's ears. She doesn't give up and finally the judge grants her justice.
Read Hebrews 11.
I don't like to speculate the details (that are not supplied) in this story but God tells us that sometimes He will test our faith. Being tested is not necessarily a comfortable thing but will either be for our good or for the good of those observing how we respond to the testing. However, if we're in the will of God, we need to persevere in our requests, ex: requests for someone's salvation. (We know He desires all to be saved.)
(Luke 18:7,8) And will not God bring about justice for His chosen ones, who cry out to Him day and night? Will He keep putting them off? I tell you, He will see that they get justice, and quickly. . .
(Rom 12:11,12) Do not let your zeal subside; keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, persistent in prayer.
(Eph 6:18) Pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition. To this end, stay alert with all perseverance in your prayers for all the saints.
Amên
The mother in the story was willing to grovel and humiliate herself to save her child. Jesus allowed Himself to be humiliated and abused to save His children. Love was the driving force in the choices both made.
Jesus is a SAVIOUR and the mother is desperate to save her child and nothing else she think but to save her child.Jesus can see her inside out and want to save both mother and child this is the Lord we have .He died to save who he create .
The consensus of all this entire subject though difficult it may seem to be is found in the nature of Jesus Christ.He God God in God in the flesh and God God is sinless.
The Bible and Spirit of prophecy is so sound concerning the behaviour of Christ here on earth as supported by his relational with with his Father .
Firstly, to say that the reponse of Jesus to this woman was offensive is to dispute the very meaning of Hebrews 4:15 by saying that he sinned .
I wonder how God could sin!
Secondly , to say that he was rude is contrary to what Mrs white wrote about Christ's oral firm of of expression .
In the book steps to Christ(The Love Of God) she affirms what the Bible says concerning Christ by making it more clear that "Christ was neger rude and he never needlessly spoke a severe word to anyone. "
One New testament Scholar argues that Jesus in fact called the woman a dog.
And by implication this is the condescension of Christ.
But how how do we reconcile what Jesus said with little we know?
I am glad we have to take it the way it is.
Jesus had spoken.
Without directly applying it to our day to day life situation and thus making a conclusion .We have to first apply it fully to the original recipient.
Further more we need to let scripture speak out its thought other than imposing our thought on scripture and thus rising differences in opinion.
The key thing to understand here is the motive of the master regardless of how the gentiles used to be adressed in those days. (I. e dogs)
See, here's a woman in a very serious situation.
Her daughter is dying but she knows of a saviour.
She's very sure he is the kind of help she needs, notice how she adresses him"Son of David "
She is desparate for the healing.
Like any of us when we fall into tough time situations we do not regard certain things offensive.
We don't even care when the physicians share their with us their responsibilites.
The same thing happening here.
The woman realises ,first how unworthy she is because is greek.
And Jesus the only King of of the Jews himself is happy with this and only longs to know how far her faith will take her.
And so he calls her a dog and she understands that is her position for tradition had already taught her she was inferior but Jesus is extending his grace beyond tradition .
Remember he is reaching out to the gentiles by this time and he can't just go straight into helping them he has recognise their inner need and willingness .Their inner willingness as and faith as seen in this woman of great faith.
I would have loved to explain it even more further but space nd time Will not permit me.
In summary all what Jesus was trying to do was was his best ,polite, loving and persuasive action in digging into into this woman's faith,intrest and belief in him thus proving to him she deserved the healing upon her daughter.
I think Christ knew the faith of the woman when she presented herself to him. He turns away, not to offend her but to face the disciples. Imagine you are looking at his face as he is turned from the woman. She cannot see it. Here desperation clings to him. She can no more leave his side than the mother can leave her newborn. She knows in him there is hope which cannot be found in another. Jesus wants his disciples to have that kind of clinging faith that clamps us to him, glues our souls together. I imagine his facial expression, at first stern, then raising his eyebrows and smiling as he hearts with her. The disciples see his playful attitude but she cannot. This makes her all the more desperate to spill her desire, would He who has all life turn away? "I would take crumbs, give me the crumbs, that is enough". The disciples are looking at Jesus. How are they to treat those who come to Him? As the woman falls to her knees and begs, he turns to her and answers the disciples question. His reply is written as evidence to all the world hereafter. Sincerest faith is rewarded! All can come to Him. Not our accomplishments qualifies us but our need. The more strongly we feel that need, the closer He comes to us.
Jesus attitude towards the woman will seem unfair to the world.christ really knew what he was doing the woman had a faith compared to that of the centurion soldier. our faith in jesus must not be moved no matter the circumstance surrounding it.
faith is taking God at his word, such is the common definition but the story of this woman teaches us what true faith is.
knowing God-knowing God to such a state as to know that he can and will help despite the obstacles
this woman did not believe the words of Jesus, but something more than that,ohh such great faith, is not this the faith that moves mountains?
job says it this way, though he slay me yet I will trust in him.
God tells Jacob to let go, but Jacob says no.
Naomi tells Ruth to return but she has known the true God how can she go back to idols again.
God tells Moses that let Israel perish and I will make you a great nation, Moses says NO
Thanks Nathaniel, I am delighted you also realise that it's not really what we may think as second thought here in our human reasoning but what truly our good Lord is doing in a good spirit of Love .
God is gracious to ALL of us regardless of who we are and where we come from. This portion of scripture really taught me something (Matthew 15:23).As the body of Christ we need to be happy when people receive Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Saviour. The Lord Himself loves us all so who are we to tell Jesus to send people away. The Canaanite woman was crying to get help from Jesus. The previous lesson we are also told that the disciples told Jesus to send people away to go and find food for they were hungry. The disciples knew that the people were hungry and also in this case, they could see that this woman was helpless and needed Jesus but they were not willing to let her go to the Lord. May the Holy Spirit search within us and show us clearly if we are also not closing the door of salvation to others by the way we do things, maybe we are hypocrites and the people will not be able to see the light. May God help us to bring people to Him and not to send them away.