Apostolic and teaching comments on Matthew 15 and Mark 7, a Canaanite woman

Prior Audio Wrap-up Comments Are Replaced with Written Notes Below

Looking at the gospel accounts of casting out demons, I did not see prior instances when this occurred without someone nearby physically being involved. So, the Lord’s words that he was not sent except to lost sheep of house of Israel, seems to give notice that he was not going into the region where the Canaanite woman’s house was located. But it seems to also be an intentional comment to connect with his next statement. After she came and bowed, he said “it’s not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little puppies”. As I re-read that I asked, “where do puppies eat their food”, and in response I thought “on the ground”. What’s on the ground is not in a place of restricted access or reserved for children in the house. And the woman understood that crumbs fall from tables when and where the food/bread is located. Her answer showed she had faith that whatever fell off the bread had the same quality of the children’s bread, though smaller in size, could do what the bread does. He did not need to take what was for the children and throw it somewhere else. Some access was already available.

As I re-read and studied these verses in the two different chapters, it seems the words bread and little puppies were key in how the help the woman requested was made accessible. There were probably other regional cultural factors that played a part in the narrative. But just re-reading it from a current cultural view some things are clear. The wording is such that the Lord intentionally came to the border of Tyre and Sidon. The woman had heard of him. She approached the Lord respectfully and addressed him as Son of David, a well-known historical king in that region. She was loud in calling out to him, and close enough in physical proximity that there seemed to be a protocol in place, such that the disciples were NOT authorized to give an answer for the Lord or to send her away on their own. She understood when the Lord answered it was favorable. (He had no obligation to listen to her), but when a king or dignitary speaks in response to something you are asking as a needed favor, it’s probably NOT just to say go away. She came and bowed down before him and asked him to help her. His second statement followed. I think it provided the help she needed.

February 2024       Grace to you.