New Wine...

[Scarecrow]

I don't know how many times I have read the passage:

Matthew 9:17 Neither is new wine put into old wineskins. If it is, the skins burst and the wine is spilled and the skins are destroyed. But new wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved."

Gill Commentary says this:
"As in the former parable, our Lord exposes the folly of the Scribes and Pharisees, in their zealous attachment to the traditions of the elders; so in this, he gives a reason why he did not call these persons by his Gospel, who were settled upon the old principle of self-righteousness, but sinners, whom he renews by his Spirit and grace: for by "old bottles" are meant, the Scribes and Pharisees."

And the obvious interpretation goes along with:

Matthew 7:6 "Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.

The way I read this it seems that we should not even waste our time (one type of pearl) trying to expose those stuck in an "old principle of self-righteousness", those who deny the divine nature of Jesus, those who deny the scriptural integrity of polygyny, etc...to the truths we have been given lest they turn on us and attack! Why waste our time trying to explain the Grace and Mercy of God to those stuck in a legalistic mentality? Why waste our time trying to convince someone with the spirit of the anti-christ of the divine nature of Christ? Why waste our time trying to convince a die-hard monogamist of the true intent behind polygyny? The only result seems to be retaliation by the broken wine skins.

It seems to me that if we present the information and they are not Berean in nature we should simply kick the dust off our feet and move on. If God want's them to receive enlightenment they will be receptive the next time they hear the message.

I bring this up because today I had an encounter with an individual that I shared information with in the past and they seemed receptive to the information, yet now when I brought it up to discuss it further they became defensive. It was interesting that the response was for them to go on the "attack" just as Jesus said they would.

 

[Dr. K.R. Allen]

I think a key principle in all of it, especially for a family, is to indeed make sure you are not spending too much time and effort trying to change someone who is determined not to believe or consider the idea. Evangelism and reaching out to make disciples is indeed a righteous goal. But Jesus too told his disciples that if someone rejects them and their kingdom message to simply move along.

So in a sense yes, I think the not throwing your pearls before the swine so to speak is indeed a message about knowing when to speak and engage another for truth and when to move along. It seems kind of like Ecclesiastes where Solomon said there is a time and season for everything under the sun. Sometimes there is a time to reason and defend a truth like Paul did on Mars Hill in Acts 17. And then there are other times when it is best to say nothing at all like Christ did before Pilate.

As far as practical application for a family and for men leading the family I think this text also gives guidance to a family in knowing that sometimes along the way it is best not to discuss their chosen path with those who do not care to know or have any inclination to discover the truth.

 

[CecilW]

It seems to me that if we present the information and they are not Berean in nature we should simply kick the dust off our feet and move on.

Being sure, of course, to editorialize about it/them on our way out the door? :roll:

 

[Scarecrow]

"Being sure, of course, to editorialize about it/them on our way out the door?"

Interesting how a certain group of individuals usually has much commentary and fanfare but little actual input of any value...seems things will never change...sigh...

 

[Jim]

Brothers, there is power in silence as there is in words.

 

[Dr. K.R. Allen]

However one wants to define the kingdom parables, from the variety of perspectives given by Evangelical scholars, we can easily wind up in a safe and similar position even by looking elsewhere in Scripture to confirm that principle.

Paul said in Romans 14 that some things in the area of conscience a person should keep between himself and God as well as not to do anything that offends another. So in some cases it is wise and biblical to not throw their pearls before the swine in the sense of not discussing a subject with any and all indiscriminately. Discretion is important. As Solomon said, there is a time and season for everything under the sun. Sometimes it is right to speak and to reveal and at other times it is not right to speak and reveal.

 

[steve]

. Discretion is important. As Solomon said, there is a time and season for everything under the sun. Sometimes it is right to speak and to reveal and at other times it is not right to speak and reveal.

ali and i were just discussing this idea today.
it all fits together with Yeshua's statement that no man comes to him except the Father draw him, and the parable of the sowing of the seeds. if good ground has been prepared, then it will take root and flourish.
if you are trying to sow on unprepared ground, you are wasting your time.

 

[Scarecrow]

Good point, and well said Steve. All too often I catch myself in debate with individuals that have no intention of considering a different viewpoint and the scriptures that pertain to it...I hope I am able to better discipline myself in the future. That in essence is what my post is about.

 

[CecilW]

Well, they're welcome to treat me like I treat my dogs. Feed 'em, pet 'em, rub their tummies, talk to 'em all the time.
Me think the problem is that they try to treat us like rats! Trap us, poison us, drive us off. :lol:

 

[steve]

btw: i once heard a sermon about how hot oil being worked into old stiff wineskins could renew them.
the Hoky Spirit being equated with oil.