Attack of the Pigs

Dr. Worm · 08-25-2003, 01:21 AM

Matthew 7
6 "Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.

I've never understood this. Is this just practical advice on how to avoid being attacked by pigs, or was there some sort of metaphor here that I'm missing?

Cadence · 08-25-2003, 01:26 AM

I always took it to mean that we shouldn't give what is precious to us to those who are either stubborn, unappreciative, taxing, etc...

I'm speaking in terms of witnessing, advice, financial help, etc...

I could be wrong though.

ChrisHarbison · 08-25-2003, 01:28 AM

The 5 preceeding verses are telling us how to interact with a fellow brother that is obviously in sin. We are to first make sure that we are not living in sin before we make hypocrites out of ourselves by judging others. Obviously we are sinful, but the point verses 1 - 5 is making is that we are to not be "in sin" (unrepentant) as we go to tell our brother that he is in sin. Verse 6 I believe is telling us that this kind of Godly rebuke is good, and by making a hypocrite out of ourselves, we take this type of rebuke that is Godly and toss in the mud with the pigs.

From the study notes in the Life Application Bible:
7:6 Pigs were unclean animals according to God’s law (Deut. 14:8). Anyone who touched an unclean animal became “ceremonially unclean” and could not go to the temple to worship until the uncleanness was removed. Jesus says that we should not entrust holy teachings to unholy or unclean people. It is futile to try to teach holy concepts to people who don’t want to listen and will only tear apart what we say. We should not stop giving God’s Word to unbelievers, but we should be wise and discerning in what we teach to whom, so that we will not be wasting our time.

Dr. Worm · 08-25-2003, 01:29 AM

I don't know...vs 1-6 seems to flow pretty well. But I really don'ot understand how this relates.

ChrisHarbison · 08-25-2003, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Worm

I don't know...vs 1-6 seems to flow pretty well. But I really don'ot understand how this relates.

See my addition to my previous post also.

Let's see how to reword...hmmm...

Ok, let me try this way:

You and I are both both struggle with pornography. You are truly upset by this sin and have a truly repentant attitude. I, however, do not and am continuing to wallow in my sin. If you came to and rebuked me, this is a Godly thing for you to do. However, if your attitude is the same as mine, and come to me to rebuke me, you're taking this gift of Godly rebuke/accountability and making a mockery of it. Does that help it flow better?

Dr. Worm · 08-25-2003, 01:42 AM

Woah! I've got some serious issues with those study notes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silly Study Notes

Jesus says that we should not entrust holy teachings to unholy or unclean people. It is futile to try to teach holy concepts to people who don’t want to listen and will only tear apart what we say. We should not stop giving God’s Word to unbelievers, but we should be wise and discerning in what we teach to whom, so that we will not be wasting our time.

We are supposed to give God's word only to those unbelievers who are clean and holy people, only the ones that are not dead in their sins and are actually able to respond to God's call? Or is it merely saying that we should only preach the gospel to the elect? Besides, their interpretation has nothing to do with vs 1-6.

With your interpretation, I'm not sure I see how you make the jump from "pearls" to "Godly rebuke".

aiwahead · 08-25-2003, 04:14 AM

Footnote from the New American Bible: St Joeseph Edition

7,6: Dogs and swine were Jewish terms of contempt for Gentiles. This saying may originally have derived from a Jewish Christian community opposed to preaching the gospel (what is holy, pearls) to Gentiles. In the light of Mt 28,19 that can hardly be Matthew's meaning. He may have taken the saying as applying to a Christian dealing with an obstinately impenitent fellow Christian (Mt 18, 17).

Essentially, What I take this as saying, as well as what I gathered from the original verse, is not to waste yourself, and your talents, on people who you KNOW have no desire to listen to you. It does not mean you should not continue to try to preach the Gospel in any way, but that you must learn, even though you may try, some people will not accept what you say. Again, this in no way would mean that you are 'giving up'. It may well only be that time is needed for your words to sink in. Also, this does not mean that you shouldnt at least TRY to preach to everyone. This is of course, your mission. However, be wary to the excess expendature of your gifts at the cost of becoming worn down. What happens if you drive around town with your emergency brake on? You eventually are going to grind down the pads, right? Maybe a visual would give a.. better understanding?

That wall aint fallin'. Not with your head, at least. :P

Whill · 08-25-2003, 10:24 AM

Matt 7:6"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 then turn and tear you to pieces.

Although the rebuke might be a possiblity, I believe something else. And it's something that done here quite often. Yes, the Word is Sacred but not sacred enough to not share with others (that's what we're called too), even if they don'y want to hear. I believe what Jesus is talking about are things that He has done in your life. The special instances and gifts that He bestows upon you in your daily walk with Him. It could be blessings or special insight to Scripture that totally rocks your world upon understanding it. It could be an answer to prayer for someone or an answered desire of your heart. These are things that are sacred to you and are pearls (containing much value as a show of His love and affection for you - His child).

Now if you look at the behaviour of dogs and pigs, both eat what you give them without tasteing or savoring the flavor. It's just food and they gulp it down. If these creatures are either hungery enough or in a foul mood, they take whatever you give them and trample it under their feet. Giving it no worth at all (although to you it would be highly valued) they demean it and count it as inconsequntial and meaningless. And then, they proceed to tear you to pieces by saying that what you think and feel is wrong, incorrect, or just plain stupid. And although they may say that they're trying to teach, it is not out of Love but out of Pride or even from their own woundedness. And so the tearing begins with a sarcasitic quip here, a good stab there, and those who have spoken out feel belittled, hurt, and confused.

I've seen this happen in churchs, not only with the youth (one to another) but with the adults too. In fact, I've been the recipient of this verse. And I believe that this makes even more sense since the previous verses somewhat imply close people (not nessecarly believers). We are to share these things with people that we know will be encouraged and take hope from it. Those who will appreciate such things will also give you hope and encouragement for sharing you life with them in a more personal way.

How's that for a different point of view?

Oh, and saying that it's the Word that is Sacred and not to be shared with those not wanting it or the stubborn (or even Gentiles) is wrong in this cause. Jesus taught that it is the clean that makes the unclean clean. Not the unclean that makes the clean unclean. Does that make sense?

ChrisHarbison · 08-25-2003, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whill

Although the rebuke might be a possiblity, I believe something else. And it's something that done here quite often. Yes, the Word is Sacred but not sacred enough to not share with others (that's what we're called too), even if they don'y want to hear. I believe what Jesus is talking about are things that He has done in your life. The special instances and gifts that He bestows upon you in your daily walk with Him. It could be blessings or special insight to Scripture that totally rocks your world upon understanding it. It could be an answer to prayer for someone or an answered desire of your heart. These are things that are sacred to you and are pearls (containing much value as a show of His love and affection for you - His child).

This sounds good, but the problem is that it is in no way what the context of the passage is suggesting. The context of the passage is giving Holy teachings to "swine" or Gentiles, which is symbolic in that text for unbelievers. Our personal experiences with God are NEVER more sacred than His living and active Word.

Dr. Worm, I think what those footnotes were talking about (and I don't use that Bible, it was just the footnotes displayed on my computer Bible's screen

) was not sharing the gospel of Christ with unbelievers. I think it was talking more about teachings like Covenant Theology vs. Dispensational Theology to unbelievers that not only will not understand, but not care. I don't particularly agree with the footnotes in every sense, I think verse 6 flows much better with verses 1-5 to be honest.

And it does flow b/c I just looked it up in another Bible and that particular passage ends with verse 6, verse 7-12 is a different passage completely, so verse 6 must go with verses 1-5.

Tim O'Donnell · 08-25-2003, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whill

Matt 7:6"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 then turn and tear you to pieces.

Although the rebuke might be a possiblity, I believe something else. And it's something that done here quite often. Yes, the Word is Sacred but not sacred enough to not share with others (that's what we're called too), even if they don'y want to hear. I believe what Jesus is talking about are things that He has done in your life. The special instances and gifts that He bestows upon you in your daily walk with Him. It could be blessings or special insight to Scripture that totally rocks your world upon understanding it. It could be an answer to prayer for someone or an answered desire of your heart. These are things that are sacred to you and are pearls (containing much value as a show of His love and affection for you - His child).

Now if you look at the behaviour of dogs and pigs, both eat what you give them without tasteing or savoring the flavor. It's just food and they gulp it down. If these creatures are either hungery enough or in a foul mood, they take whatever you give them and trample it under their feet. Giving it no worth at all (although to you it would be highly valued) they demean it and count it as inconsequntial and meaningless. And then, they proceed to tear you to pieces by saying that what you think and feel is wrong, incorrect, or just plain stupid. And although they may say that they're trying to teach, it is not out of Love but out of Pride or even from their own woundedness. And so the tearing begins with a sarcasitic quip here, a good stab there, and those who have spoken out feel belittled, hurt, and confused.

I've seen this happen in churchs, not only with the youth (one to another) but with the adults too. In fact, I've been the recipient of this verse. And I believe that this makes even more sense since the previous verses somewhat imply close people (not nessecarly believers). We are to share these things with people that we know will be encouraged and take hope from it. Those who will appreciate such things will also give you hope and encouragement for sharing you life with them in a more personal way.

How's that for a different point of view?

Oh, and saying that it's the Word that is Sacred and not to be shared with those not wanting it or the stubborn (or even Gentiles) is wrong in this cause. Jesus taught that it is the clean that makes the unclean clean. Not the unclean that makes the clean unclean. Does that make sense?

Heck, I see those things happen regularly on these forums.

dungscooperdave · 08-25-2003, 09:27 PM

Pro 26:3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.
Pro 26:4 Do not answer a fool according to his foolishness, lest you also be like him.
Pro 26:5 Answer a fool according to his foolishness, so that he may not be wise in his own eyes.

Pro 23:9 Do not speak in the ears of a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words.