Read Matthew 15 here (text coming …) or at Bible Gateway.
This chapter spotlights the unbelief of the scribes and Pharisees (Mat 15:1-9), and the great faith of the Canaanite woman (Mat 15:21-29). In fact the Chiastic Structure Teaching Tool contrasts them:
Scribes
The scribes wrote out the Law, and classified and arranged its precepts. During the time of the Hebrew kings, they acted as secretaries, writing letters, drawing up decrees, and managing finances. In Hezekiah’s reign they transcribed old records, and became interpreters of the Law, boasting of their wisdom. (Jer 8:8) After the captivity the office became more prominent—Ezra was a scribe (Ezr 7:1-6)—scribes being honored as the men of the Great Synagogue. They devoted themselves to studying the text of Torah, and laid down rules for transcribing it with the most scrupulous precision. Over time the “words of the scribes” were honored above the Law, as it was a greater crime to offend against them than to offend against the Law. They were constantly denounced by our Lord. While the scribes repeated the traditions of the elders, Yeshua “spoke as one having authority,” “not as the scribes.” (Edited from Smith’s Bible Dictionary)
Pharisees
The Pharisees were a religious party among the Jews, named from the Hebrew word perushim, “separated.” Their fundamental doctrine was that there was an oral law given by Moses, not written down, to complete and to explain the written Law contained in Torah. The first portion of the Talmud, called the Mishna or “second law,” contains the oral law since written down. It is a compendium and digest of Jewish traditions and ritual law, and it came to be esteemed far above the sacred text of Torah. (Edited from Smith’s Bible Dictionary)
“Scribes and Pharisees” along with priests and Levites, were regarded as the cream of society in all matters relating to God and His Word.
Canaanites
In the time of Yeshua, the term “Canaanite” was applied as a general name to the non-Israelite inhabitants of the land. Historically the Canaanites were descended from Canaan, and lived in the land when Abraham arrived there (Gen 12:5-6). When Israel came into the land from Egypt under Joshua, they were to eradicate the Canaanites, as the land had “vomited them out” for their depraved pagan practices (Deu 31:1-5, Lev 18:24-30). (Edited from Smith’s Bible Dictionary)
“Canaanites” were regarded as the lowest dregs of society, perhaps even lower than Samaritans.
So what is the Teaching Tool teaching? Your status or background does not matter, as God is not a respecter of persons as men are. What matters, is your faith or lack thereof. Even if your status and background are of the first rank, unbelief will not profit you; but faith will uphold you even if your status and background are of the lowest rank.
If there are questions, this is a good resource:
Matthew 15, Clean and unclean food – Christine Miller
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