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Today's Bible Study ...
Jesus' Ministry, at first, was
centered on the Jewish people. John 1:11 tells us that "He came
unto His Own." That means "His Own Nationality." The Israelites.
But, eventually, they rejected Him.
Then, Jesus turned and offered
salvation to the masses, to all the world. To you and me!
"He
came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as
received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God,
even to them that believe on his name." John
1:11-13
The event we are studying happens
before that "turn" occurs. Jesus, perhaps traveling more for
"rest" purposes than anything else, still primarily desires the
salvation of the Jews!
But a Gentile woman, whom we are
about to meet, sort of gets "in the way" of that great plan!
She needs some things from Jesus!
Healing, deliverance, freedom, all
for her daughter!
Today we study verse 26.
"The
woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she besought
him that he would cast forth the devil out of her daughter."
Mark 7:26
One older Bible teacher
characterizes her as "a Greek in religion, a Syrian in language,
and a Phoenician in race."
The word "Greek" is spelled "hellenis."
Anything yet today that is "Hellenistic" is understood to be
Greek in nature.
She lived in that heathen land,
subject to many gods and their resulting cruel and ungodly
customs.
The word "Syrophenician" is
obviously compound. "Syria" or "suros" means "exalted." Probably
called this because of the mountain ranges to its north. "Phenicia"
means "land of palm trees," according to the Bible dictionaries.
In Greek it is "Phoinike." It then was a territory in the
province of Syria, just about 30 miles long and only 3 miles
wide.
It's a wonder this lady knew
anything about Jesus, anything at all!
But she at least knew enough to try
asking Him for help!
He certainly would not harm her!
All He could do was say, "No."
But He didn't even do that!
After a little faithful
persuasion!
"The
woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she besought
him that he would cast forth the devil out of her daughter."
Mark 7:26
The verb "besought" is "erotao,"
meaning "to ask, to request, to entreat," even "to beg." The
root verb "ereteo" means "to speak, to say, to utter" a few
words.
She is asking Jesus now!
The same Jesus Who said,
"Ask,
and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and
it shall be opened unto you: for every one that asketh receiveth;
and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall
be opened." Matthew 7:7-8
Bring your needs to Jesus!
She did.
The verb string "would cast forth"
translates "ekballo." It means "to throw," the "ballo" part,
"out," the preposition "ek," something! To throw
out an unwanted person! To expel him! To reject, to
exclude, to dispel!
The subjunctive mood of "ekballo"
here shows that the woman strongly desires this
outcome!
"Please," Jesus!
"The
woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she besought
him that he would cast forth the devil out of her daughter."
Mark 7:26
But she desired nothing for herself!
It's for her daughter.
The noun "devil" is "daimonion,"
once meaning a "god or goddess," but now just a fallen angel. A
demon. The verb "daio" means "to distribute fortunes," of all
things! Yes, the devil is a distributor all right! But of bad
things, ultimately! Including Hell and all its torment.
That last preposition, "out," as in
"out of her daughter," is a standing-alone word placed in
the Text for emphasis. "Ek" means "away from," far away from!
This lady wants that demon gone!
Now that the request has been given,
how will Jesus respond?
That, fellow Bible students, will
surprise us!
But in the end, the little girl gets
well!
All because of Jesus!
Come back tomorrow for the next
verse.
Until then, feel free to cast your
cares on Jesus too!
Peter was right.
"Casting
all your care upon him; for He careth for you." 1st Peter
5:7
Thank You, Lord!
--- Dr. Mike Bagwell
All the recently
completed John 3:27-30 material has been
archived for you right
HERE.
That's a total of five lessons. It's about Jesus increasing and we
ourselves decreasing, a life of genuine humility.
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