What happens when two domestic yet ‘wild’ animals are compared in one quote from the Messiah? Today’s Holy Nougat suggests that it’s not about fun and games.
Matthew 7:6 NIV
[6] “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.
Hard Comparisons 1
Matthew 7 is the concluding chapter of three that cover Y’shua’s first ‘public sermon’. The Sermon on the Mount is – to me – less of a sermon in the way we receive them in our time. Instead, it is a series of sayings that provide guidance about living in God’s community of faith. They were not seen as substitutes for the Ten Commandments. Y’shua began the ‘Sermon’ with encouragement and blessings, which patterned the style of the Levitical blessings and cursed of Deuteronomy 28.
However, those who are counted as Y’shua’s blessed people are neither the wealthy nor the visibly holy. He included the mourning, the poor in spirit, and the pure-hearted. Those were definitely not the typical ‘devout Jew’. But then, Jesus can never be described as the typical Saviour. His actions still don’t align with most of our expectations of who a Messiah should be.
That being said, after sharing traits of blessedness, Y’shua’s sermon explored God’s expectations for daily living. Our Nougat is part of that segment.
Point to Ponder
If we were present for that Sermon on the Mount, what are some of the blessings we would have hoped for or expected Y’shua to mention?
Deeper Dive
Both animal references are used to bring together very polar opposites. In Jewish society, both dogs and pigs (swine) had negative connotations. Typically, dogs were scavenging animals, found mostly around garbage. Dogs were named amongst the unclean creatures of Exodus 22:31. It is not surprising that dogs metaphorically represented male cult prostitutes (see Deuteronomy 23:18) or enemies to God’s covenant people (see Psalm 22:16). To allow that which is holy – i.e., set apart from common use and dedicated to God – to become gifts for dogs thus warns against allowing the Gospel and true worship of God to become profane, i.e., common.
This is a very important warning for us in these times. The profane isn’t only about the visibly cursed, it can be seen as that which is abused or misappropriated by ones who have rejected God’s way.
Hold on for a very important minute – let’s not run to call names and make assumptions just yet. I believe we ought to ensure that we operate with discernment before making any judgement. Biblical experts indicate that dogs could refer to Judaizers who switched the gospel of grace for their own gain; or those referred to as apostates who would revert to their former immoral ways after making professions of faith.
It becomes even more critical for us to search our hearts lest we become guilty of watering down the Gospel of Christ to suit our own purposes. We are reminded by the experts that in Revelation 22:15 dogs (those hostile to divine authority) will be barred from eternity. I invite us to consider this Nougat as our personal call to holiness – God’s way.
Self-Check
When we examine our lifestyle and our motives, are we guilty of taking God’s holiness to the dogs? Let’s deal with our planks of sin before judging others’ motes.
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May all we seek be found in Christ
