15 March 2010
Psalm 89:1-18; Gen. 49:1-28; 1 Cor. 10:14-11:1; Mark 7:24-37

Jacob’s blessings of his sons are part prediction and part prophetic oracle. They are all based on observable evidence of their character which is generally an accurate predictor of destiny but some go beyond the available evidence in their casting of the future of these men. It is similar to the words Noah spoke over his sons after the sin of Ham in Genesis 9. It is true that God has no grandchildren, that we all must decide for ourselves who we will follow, but it is also true that apples don’t generally fall far from trees. We have seen these men grow from impetuous young men to, in some cases like Judah, men who have matured and become very different. We are called to be like our older brother, Jesus, and we have been empowered by the Holy Spirit to live anew. We aren’t doomed to repeat the sins and mistakes of the past generations of our family tree, we have been given that Spirit that will change our destiny if we live according to the Spirit.

The way Jesus answers the Syrophoenician woman call for a response of faith. She is an “uppity” woman in that she, a gentile, comes to the Jewish rabbi to ask for healing. She is desperate for her child to be healed and her attitude is that she accepts His statement about the dogs but her belief is that there is enough for even the dogs to eat. In the land, there was to be one law for those in the covenant and those outside the covenant, and the temple itself was to express the reality that God’s message was for everyone, Jew and Gentile alike, but the presence of God was guarded from the Gentiles, they could only come near if they were willing to fully enter the covenant relationship and become Jews by circumcision. This woman’s response indicates her own understanding of that reality, that there are crumbs for even the dogs and she is asking for those crumbs. The people speak well of Jesus, the leaders aren’t in view here to shape public opinion yet.

Don’t ask, don’t tell. Paul is speaking on the distinction between buying in the open market without regard to what may or may not be the seller’s practices concerning the meat they sell and dining with someone who tells you that this has been sacrificed to idols. We have fellowship in the Lord Jesus when we receive communion. We have confessed our faith in the creed and we have made confession of sin together, we are gathered then as believing, forgiven sinners to receive physical and spiritual food and drink. If we share in the fellowship of Jesus, how can we also share in a feast with others who have other beliefs, other gods and who have dedicated the meal to those gods? Table fellowship is certainly possible with non-believers but that isn’t what Paul is speaking about here, this implies a sacrificial meal the intent of which is to honor a god, even in a private setting.

I will sing of the steadfast love of the LORD, forever;
with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations.
Let the heavens praise your wonders, O LORD,
your faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones!
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne;
steadfast love and faithfulness go before you.