Bible League: Living His Word "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."Our verse for today is part of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. In a previous portion of the sermon Jesus said, "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you" (Matthew 7:1-2). Although we should not judge others, our verse for today makes it clear that we should be discerning in our evaluation of people. What do the metaphors "dogs" and "pigs" mean? In the Old Testament, dogs and pigs were considered unclean animals. Dogs were the scavengers of the Middle East. They were not given food that was offered in sacrifice because it was holy, but they were thrown the meat of animals torn by wild beasts because it was not holy (Exodus 22:31). Pigs were not to be used as food by the Israelites and, as a consequence, were not to be kept or fed (Leviticus 11:7-8). Jesus used dogs and pigs to represent people who are not worthy to receive anything sacred or anything as valuable as pearls. What do the metaphors "sacred" and "pearls" mean? They both refer to God's word and especially the gospel message. The gospel message is very good and extremely valuable. Jesus is saying that one should not give the very good and very valuable message to those people who will not receive it or appreciate it. Although we should not judge people, we should discern whether or not they will accept the gospel. What does the metaphor "trample them under their feet" mean? It refers to the rejection, ridicule, and mocking of the gospel by the people who will not receive or appreciate it. And "tear you to pieces" refers to the personal enmity and opposition of these people toward the people who give it to them. In Matthew 7:6 Jesus is telling us that there is no obligation on our part to preach the gospel to people we know will not receive it or appreciate it. We should not judge them, but we need to be discerning. Proverbs 23:9 says, "Do not speak to fools, for they will scorn your prudent words." Bible in a Year Old Testament Reading2 Kings 23, 24, 25 2 Kings 23 -- Josiah Renews the Covenant and Passover; Jehoahaz and Jehoiakim Follow NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB 2 Kings 24 -- Jehoiakim; Deportation to Babylon; Jehoiachin; Zedekiah NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB 2 Kings 25 -- Nebuchadnezzar's Siege, Burning and Plunder of Jerusalem; Jehoiachin's Release NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading John 7:1-31 John 7 -- Jesus Teaches at the Feast of Tabernacles; Diverse Opinions of Him among the People NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion And some of the wise will fall victim to persecution. In this way, they will be refined and cleansed and made pure until the time of the end, for the appointed time is still to come.Insight God's messenger described a time of trial when even wise believers may stumble. This could mean (1) falling into sin, (2) being fearful and losing faith, (3) mistakenly following wrong teaching, or (4) experiencing severe suffering and martyrdom. Challenge If we persevere in our faith, any such experience will only refine us and make us stronger. Are you facing trials? Recognize them as opportunities to strengthen your faith. If we remain steadfast in these experiences, we will be stronger in our faith and closer to God. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Ecclesiastes 10:7 I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.Upstarts frequently usurp the highest places, while the truly great pine in obscurity. This is a riddle in providence whose solution will one day gladden the hearts of the upright; but it is so common a fact, that none of us should murmur if it should fall to our own lot. When our Lord was upon earth, although he is the Prince of the kings of the earth, yet he walked the footpath of weariness and service as the Servant of servants: what wonder is it if his followers, who are princes of the blood, should also be looked down upon as inferior and contemptible persons? The world is upside down, and therefore, the first are last and the last first. See how the servile sons of Satan lord it in the earth! What a high horse they ride! How they lift up their horn on high! Haman is in the court, while Mordecai sits in the gate; David wanders on the mountains, while Saul reigns in state; Elijah is complaining in the cave while Jezebel is boasting in the palace; yet who would wish to take the places of the proud rebels? and who, on the other hand, might not envy the despised saints? When the wheel turns, those who are lowest rise, and the highest sink. Patience, then, believer, eternity will right the wrongs of time. Let us not fall into the error of letting our passions and carnal appetites ride in triumph, while our nobler powers walk in the dust. Grace must reign as a prince, and make the members of the body instruments of righteousness. The Holy Spirit loves order, and he therefore sets our powers and faculties in due rank and place, giving the highest room to those spiritual faculties which link us with the great King; let us not disturb the divine arrangement, but ask for grace that we may keep under our body and bring it into subjection. We were not new created to allow our passions to rule over us, but that we, as kings, may reign in Christ Jesus over the triple kingdom of spirit, soul, and body, to the glory of God the Father. Daily Light on the Daily Path Psalm 51:2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity And cleanse me from my sin.Jeremiah 33:8 'I will cleanse them from all their iniquity by which they have sinned against Me, and I will pardon all their iniquities by which they have sinned against Me and by which they have transgressed against Me. Ezekiel 36:25 "Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. John 3:5 Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. Hebrews 9:13,14 For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled sanctify for the cleansing of the flesh, • how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? Psalm 106:8 Nevertheless He saved them for the sake of His name, That He might make His power known. Psalm 115:1 Not to us, O LORD, not to us, But to Your name give glory Because of Your lovingkindness, because of Your truth. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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