I definitely agree with your pre-linkage approach from Matthew 11:12, but I also clearly see Jesus challenging his disciple’s attitude of spiritual privilege and potential arrogance. I don’t think he actually sees her as a “Dog” per say, but I think they potentially do in their own [‘Only we have the Proper Covenant’] minds and hearts. I think he’s using hyperbole as an indictment to first stir and challenge their thinking, because he has every intension of healing her right then and there.
Something I haven't seen (Richard, here's a hint for a future series) is Jesus's ministry in light of the political situation in Judea with increasingly strident calls from many for YHWH to violently expel the hated Romans. Is it possible that Jesus was addressing both these people AND those who were indifferent? Was he saying "Listen up folks, here's how God's reign really works.
What we do know is, 40 years later, everything came crashing down with the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple.
Thomas Watson, the Puritan, has a wonderful treatise on this passage entitled "Heaven Taken by Storm: Showing the Holy Violence a Christian Is to Put Forth in the Pursuit after Glory" published by Reformation Heritage Books. The first time I came across this reading of the passage was during my inquiry into Orthodoxy when I read The Beginnings of a Life of Prayer by now Bishop Irenei of London published by St Herman of Alaska Brotherhood.
That was how Flannery O'Connor read it and made it the title of her final novel
Well argued!
That makes so much sense! Thank you!
I have always struggled with this passage. I appreciate this perspective.
Thank you for this. You never fail to provoke in a positive way.
I definitely agree with your pre-linkage approach from Matthew 11:12, but I also clearly see Jesus challenging his disciple’s attitude of spiritual privilege and potential arrogance. I don’t think he actually sees her as a “Dog” per say, but I think they potentially do in their own [‘Only we have the Proper Covenant’] minds and hearts. I think he’s using hyperbole as an indictment to first stir and challenge their thinking, because he has every intension of healing her right then and there.
Something I haven't seen (Richard, here's a hint for a future series) is Jesus's ministry in light of the political situation in Judea with increasingly strident calls from many for YHWH to violently expel the hated Romans. Is it possible that Jesus was addressing both these people AND those who were indifferent? Was he saying "Listen up folks, here's how God's reign really works.
What we do know is, 40 years later, everything came crashing down with the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple.
Thomas Watson, the Puritan, has a wonderful treatise on this passage entitled "Heaven Taken by Storm: Showing the Holy Violence a Christian Is to Put Forth in the Pursuit after Glory" published by Reformation Heritage Books. The first time I came across this reading of the passage was during my inquiry into Orthodoxy when I read The Beginnings of a Life of Prayer by now Bishop Irenei of London published by St Herman of Alaska Brotherhood.