It is not good to give the children’s bread to puppies

Jesus on earth was human (1 John 4:2), and Jesus got tired. And had gone outside the borders of Israel to get away, but He could not be hidden (Mark 7:24). A Syro-Phoenician woman comes to Him, begging Him to cast the daemon out of her daughter. The title (verse 27) is what Jesus answered. Dogs (kuon in the Greek) was a derogatory term the Jews used for the Gentiles. Jesus uses the word kunarion (little dogs or puppies) in this verse, softening His rejection with this term connoting endearment. This action seems out of character with the Jesus we know. Some have suggested He was testing her, and perhaps He was! But He had gotten away for a reason, and the saying itself seems to convey that He had only so much to give, and that He was called to the house of Israel, not to the Gentiles (verse 7). Jesus was human, and in His humanity he had limitations. If not then we can applaud Him, but we can never be like Him!

This point is important, and is one of the verses used to suggest that we need have healthy boundaries. There is much to say about this, and I recommend the book “Boundaries” by Christian authors Cloud and Townsend. Boundaries are about when to say yes, and when to say no. Sometimes saying no is the Christian thing to do. Saying yes when the person could do the thing himself, is teaching them that they don't need to take responsibility for their lives. Sometimes we need to say no, like Jesus did because we have given and given, and we need to come aside a while and rest (Mark 6:31). We cannot do everything, and if we try, we will do nothing well. The Lord has specific ministries for us, things that He has prepared beforehand that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:10). We need to learn to do only those things which we see the Father doing (John 5:19). Seeing what the Father is doing is something we need to learn, not fully there yet! And we need to realize that business can be an idol!

The response to Jesus “no” is interesting. She says “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs under the table eat from the children’s crumbs” (verse 28). The interesting thing about ministry is that sometimes it is draining, and sometimes it is empowering. Ministering to those who are not yet ready to fully submit to God can be of the first type, if we let them. And this shows again the need for boundaries! But I believe what this woman said to Jesus thrilled His heart, and that this response of faith empowered Him. For sure there are times when He tests us seeking to draw out our faith. And there are time when like Jacob, we need to wrestle with God and refuse to let Him go, until He blesses us (Genesis 32:26).

Father, Your Word tells us that without faith is it impossible to please You (Hebrews 11:6). Lord, I want to thrill Your heart like I believe the Syro-Phoenician woman did. I also know that the testing of our faith is what causes it to grow and for us to stand up under trial (James 1:3). So teach us Lord to be patient in trail, and teach us to “see” what You are doing so that we may do only those things in Jesus Name Amen