"In healing the Gentile woman's daughter, Jesus went beyond the borders of Israel and ministered to non-Jews.
The woman was rewared for her persistence and determination and possibly for her wit.
Jesus knew His mission was to concentrate on Isreal, who had preparation from history and Scripture to receive Him.
Jesus extended His mission beyond Israel to show God's concern for all people." [study notes from Disciple's Study Bible, NIV]
The people went to synagogues to hear the rabbis read the scriptures.
Interesting your church is studing Romans.
Our Bible study group plans to study Romans in January.
Blessings,
I think was a little long and convoluted. I was trying to see if her understanding of her relationship went back to the Promise given to Abraham...that "in him" all the *nations* of the earth would be blessed.
I think while we (the Church) aren't often taught about God's total commitment to the salvation of Jew and Gentile...it's still there. Israel was to be the *teacher* to the nations and they really dropped the ball. I wonder, based on her saying that the "dogs" (ie. Gentile/nations) could eat (be fed and nourished/have life) from the crumbs (Israel's possession of God's way of Salvation) and so she claimed her proper share in the blessings of Messiah....which was part of the promise through Abraham.
Sorry; this still might be convoluted. But I think she knew something about her standing (as a Gentile) in relationship with the Promised Seed and went with it. I believe Jesus granted her request because of her recognition that through Israel's Messiah they would be, as Paul described it, grafted in and be sharers in the Kingdom to come.
Ignore me. I may be reading too much into her petition; but sometimes I think we don't give the people in Scripture enough credit for understanding God's Word. There are a few who got the picture and I think she was one of them.
posted by jatfla
over 2 years ago
Yes. You're right. She got it...
She had faith to ask Jesus to heal her daughter.
Jesus reward her faith by healing her daughter.
The people knew the Scriptures that was available to them. They went often to the temples and synogogues to hear the priests and rabbis read the scriptures.
Ladies,
Remember when we talked about Ruth? She was from Moab but she became an Israelite when she accepted Naomi's God and His ways. Look at what scripture says about the children of Israel when they came out of Egypt. They were ALL called Israel even though they were from other countries because they believed what God told them and applied the blood to the doorpost. They were saved by faith!.
Notice the different languages at the giving of the Torah. God spoke and they each heard in their own language. but they were ALL CALLED Israel.
The 12 spies were sent into the land, 10 brought a bad report but 2 spoke a good report. One was a gentile by birth - Caleb and Joshua was from Judea.
Look at yourselves. By faith you have been saved by a Jewish Messiah from the tribe of Judea and that FACT makes you a part of Israel. You are now of Abraham's seed which is Yeshua who is the seed of God!!
Interesting point. Thanks for reminding us about Ruth. All through the Scriptures we see people of other nations becoming one of God's children.
We've missed you. Is your husband still feeling better?
It was always God's intention that Israel be a "light unto the nations". That was their calling. Sadly they became so exclusive to the point that they shook off the dust of Gentile sand to show their contempt and perception of uncleaness. Like most of us (well, me) I can become so rigid to the Law that I forget or become confused about the mission and grace. Jesus did not. His connection with this Gentile woman shows me that He was fulfilling Israel's God-given calling; ie. that 'all the nations would be blessed' through Abraham. Those such as this woman, Ruth, Rahab, Caleb, those Ninevites of Jonah's day, perhaps even Balaam, Melchizedek, etc...they were 'blessed' and *saved* by their association with Abraham's seed. There's so much we don't know. But I wonder does the *Church* really understand the importance of being "grafted In" and the blessing by association? I think this woman did.
posted by jatfla
over 2 years ago
Since we're part of the "Church", our mission is to reach out to the Gentiles of our time...to the "Ninevites" of our day.
I like it when you become convoluted...we get these interesting discussions!!:~{
I'm not good at reaching out; it's all I can do to stand within my 6 square feet.
I guess I've been thinking about the knowledge and faith of the women of Scripture. When I think of Hannah and her song...boy!! she knew a lot about God. I thought about Elizabeth and Mary. Neither of them questioned the pronouncements made to them. They just waited and trusted. Anna had no doubts about the infant she saw in the Temple. Later there is Lydia. Supposedly she was a Gentile proselyte (sp) who was ready for more teaching and she was a willing servant to those who taught her about the Jewish Messiah.
I bear no resemblance to any of them but I admire them greatly. They all had knowledge about the promises made in the past and believed them and acted accordingly. That's the path I want to be on but it sure is a struggle. They didn't seem to struggle! Please...someone tell me that I'm not the only one. (i know i'm not :~)
posted by jatfla
over 2 years ago
Oh, there is so much I would like to speak of here but I'm taking my husband back to the er this morning. He is experiencing the same kind of pain as when he had the gallbladder attack. Please pray for him if it comes to mind. We are also having a problem with my mil and her on going battle with our 10 yr old. She is very antagonistic towards him. It could be the side effects of her pain meds.
Her homehealth nurse advised me that as her primary caregiver i need to talk with her doctor about some medicine to keep her calm because of the emotional affects it is having on son. Husband is too sick to made decisions on such a serious subject for now so the advice is on hold until he gets better.
Good thing I homeschool Samuel or we'd be in a bind. As it is I can take him with us and not expose him to any more stress than he can handle.
I do want to say just one thing while he gets dressed. The church was spoken of in the old testament also. Look up the words assembly and congregation. Those words mean church. it didn't BEGIN at pentacost but pentacost was a recycled event from Mt. Sinai and they all heard in their own tongue.
Remember that God is cyclicle (sp) not linier.
These events happen over and over again for us to get the meaning and the first event was an example to us.
Got to run. have a blessed day, ladies.
We might remember the scripture about the covenent being with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. NOWHERE does He include the Christians. We are either of the house of Israel or of the house of Judah.That makes me stop and think!
Before I go any further, I need to tell you that assembly and congregation DO NOT say the word "church" but they are people joined for a set appointment. as you read the definition you will see what I mean.
Now back to the point at hand.In Ex 12 where the passover is instituted about v.26 for context
And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, What mean you by this service?
That you shall say, it is the sacrifice OF THE LORD'S PASSOVER who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in the land of Egypt when He smote the Egypitians and delivered our houses. And the people bowed the head and worshipped.
v47 ALL the congegation shall keep it 48 And when a stranger shall sojourn with you and will keep the passover to the Lord, let all his males be circumcised and then let him come near and keep it: and HE SHALL BE AS ONE BORN IN THE LAND; for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof.v49
ONE LAW SHALL BE TO HIM THAT IS HOMEBORN, AND UNTO THE STRANGER THAT SOJOUNS AMONG YOU.
chapter 19:2-3 ...and there ISRAEL camped before the mount. and Moses went up unto God, and the lord called unto him out of the mountain saying, Thus shall you say TO THE HOUSE OF JACOB and tell THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL;
Notice the difference He is making. He gives the nod to the ones that come from Jacob's loins but calls all that He redeemed whether native born or stranger ISRAEL
