THE CANAANITE'S FAITH

" Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master's table " was her shocking response.

It was late evening and people inside the inn

begin to disperse

but before the Twelve could call it a day.

A woman presents herself in their midst,

to plead her daughter’s case.

 

Her desperate attempt was met

with surmounting resistance.

Three times she beg and the Bread of Life

has taken a harsh stance towards her plight.

Not only that her cries of faith has

seemingly fallen into deaf ears.

She was preposterously called

a canine !  or was she ?

 

Undeterred by her listeners nonchalant

apathy and seemingly derogatory remark.

The woman saw her place and was willing

to take the right ground of approach

for she knew who she was.

 

A gentile who has no rightful claim

to the inheritance of David.

An outsider who is not part of the family.

Yet her response to take

a humbling place of persistence

touched and moved the heart of God.

 

It was when she’s willing to settle for crumbs

does the Bread of Life gave her a whole loaves,

and found her miracle...

by NeiL ArandA   11/13/2014

 

Author's Note

Pondering why the Lord gave this Canaanite women a cold shoulder and a hard time.

Reviews

[Eddie Davis]

Understanding the Canannite religion and culture helps to clarify this story some. Jesus was actually helping her learn that reverence is important and that we have to have faith in God as Lord of everything and not just a being who can give us anything we want. Her persistence and humility finally paid off, though. Well done.

[NeiL ArandA]

Hello Eddie Thank you for showing interest on this piece . I ran into this passage for a little while and I. sort of sympathize with the woman who seemingly treated with desdain . So I ask why the Lord appears to be a little unsympathetic . You used the word humility . Perhaps it ushered her great faith further into position to see God's power demonstrated upon her case . The real purpose of Jesus into the world is to redeem His people . At that time the non Jewish aren't part of His sole mission and plan . It was only later that He turn His grace to the Gentiles after His chosen people rejected their Messiah . The woman here happened to be at the forefront of fulfilling His mission . Hence she understood what Jesus meant . And willing to humble herself . Had she been offended by His words She would have left empty handed . Here is also ademonstration between faith of humbling petition versus demandingness . God is not a Genie that does our bidding . This womans request is an exeptional one and requires proper approach. She's willing to align her will with God's will Not demanding it . Faith and humility is displayed in this woman's character . It seems ran into contrary to so called " Speak it and claim it doctrine " ...

[Eddie Davis]

You are quite, right, Neil. The pagan Canaanites worshiped some horrible gods, including Ba'al, Molech and Dagon. Worship of Dagon usually involved a woman offering up a firstborn child to the fertility god so she would be fertile in the future. It is mere speculation, but perhaps this woman, at one point worshiped some of these vile gods and participated in these practices. Perhaps Jesus was saying to the lady that she had to abandon these pagan gods by showing her that in the eyes of those worshiping the true God, these Canannites with their evil practices, were 'dogs'. I believe that everything God does has a redemptive purpose, and so even Jesus' seemingly derogatory comments were for some greater purpose. As the lady acknowledged her lowly state and asked for 'crumbs' for her child, she was already on the road toward God by her change in mind.

[NeiL ArandA]

I saw another deeper take on your words Eddie . I'm sure after that encounter and the women recieving the answer she came looking for changed her from then on . You know the story well . Which a validation that you maybe serving in aposition of spiritual authority . Thank you .

[Marie]

I'm acquinted with the concept. God has His reasons.

[NeiL ArandA]

You are so right Ms Marie. It is not only that our Lord look at the motive why we ask but also the condition and attitude of our heart. Thank you and sorry for the late reply

[Benita-Staebell M - Kin..]

quite Beautiful I know this story just not read this one as much as Esther Jeremiah
David and Ruth I do
know the Gentiles were not a chosen people the Jews were
but when the Gentiles accepted Jesus and chose to follow and believed
we were welcomed into his Kingdom which I am so Glad that God did :)




I am very familiar with Ruth and Esther and Jeremiah and David
many of them I read I've read Ruth and Esther many times favorites
Esther is a love story but much more.



"It was when she’s willing to settle for crumbs does the

Bread of Life gave her a whole loaves. " and found her miracle.



Beautiful and touching piece thank you for
sharing and thank you for your kind review and
comments you left on my page.


Blessings. Benita

[NeiL ArandA]

Before I came to know the Lord . I thought I knew more of the Bible because I could read . Then after my conversion . I found out that the Book is not boring but stories if real people with same struggles and issues that we all deal with in our life . And how God deal with them in aloving and merciful way . He cares deeply about our concerns and things that plagues and easily besets us . Jesus as written in the Bible is just a tip of the Mount Everest submerged in the deepest ocean . That how little do I know and understand Jesus . I thought I knew all about Him but I was wrong and blind . Thank you Benita for your interest to read this piece . Glad you could relate .

[Benita-Staebell M - KindredPoet]

Yes the ones in the bible go through the same things we did but maybe different situations as it was a different time then but we all
experiences things in a different way we all have adversity trials and much that comes our way and they make us stronger and they mature us. You're welcome. was an enjoyable read. blessings. Benita

[gabrielle]

First, the font size is not "eye-friendly". You are only discouraging readers who do not have 20/20 vision :)
There's a discussion about her being a Canaanite and Jesus being a Jew in my religion class but could not remember anymore why the seeming cold shoulder..Maybe it's a test of faith.

[NeiL ArandA]

Ha Ha. Good observation Gab . I'm using optical illusion to make the piece smaller than it seems. That includes sacrificing the fonts . I could not shrink the lines without taking vital information that could alter the story . Yes you are correct . Its a test of faith and humility . This women is resolved to settle what's was left that the Master can still offer her . It seems from other commentary that Jesus words was more of a nudge or an endearment . A challenge for the women to take the proper position of approaching the Lord with total humility and surrender . Her response not only proves of her great faith but humility as well . More than enough to touch and move the heart of God . Thanks Gab for the read ...