Dr. Feinberg, Dr. Sutherland and Dr. Chase Discussions
Q. Visalia, Calif. "Can you help me to understand the meaning of the phrase about casting our pearls before the swine?" A. This is taken from our Lord's discourse known as the Sermon on the Mount. In Matthew 7:6 we read, "Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before the swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you." In any type of literature we find both lit eral and figurative (or symbolical) language. Referring to holy things in connection with animals shows that these are not actual dogs to which reference is being made. This is further shown by the fact that real pigs would have no need for pearls. In order to contrast things there must be some element of likeness. As an example, no one would ever think of contrasting an elephant with a lemon even though three out of five letters in "lemon"
are also found in "elephant." Lan guage must have logic to it. The verse shows us that some individuals are so set in their ways, determined to follow unrighteous goals, that there is no purpose in giving them that which is precious to those of us who love the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour. If they act like dogs, without proper direction, they will not heed the truth. Even the Lord knew at times He could speak no longer to certain ones. The same was true with Paul. He had to be rescued while in Jerusa lem by Roman forces. The people had become so incensed against him that they would have killed him. The only thing he had said was that God had sent him forth to the Gentiles to preach salvation. They had gone beyond the place where they were reasonable. This is what Scripture means by casting pearls of God's truth before swine of unbelief.
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