Dogs, Pigs, and Pearls
“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.”
Matthew 7:6
If the title didn’t get your attention, I am sure reading the verse did! This is one of those verses that you might struggle with because it seems difficult to understand or apply. What is even more shocking is it comes right after Jesus says not to judge and to get the log out of your own eye before trying to help someone else. On first blush, it is not only shocking but seems excessively insulting.
When we think of dogs, we think of cherished house pets that shower us with affection and sleep in our beds. Dogs are beloved animals that truly become a part of our families. This was not the case in 1st Century Israel. Dogs were seen as dirty, mangy animals that scavenged around town. They were used as an insult to describe the enemies of God and were also a derogatory way to describe pagan male cult prostitutes. Similarly, pigs were also scavenger animals that the Old Testament said were ceremonially unclean. They can be kind of gross too. Pigs are omnivorous which basically means they will eat anything. Not to mention how bad they smell.
The final word we need to examine is pearls. In the 21st century the impact of what he is saying, and the value of pearls may be missed. Every jewelry store has a section of pearl jewelry. Because of the ability to process cultured pearls and how available they are today, the cost and rarity of them in Jesus’ day are lost. Even today natural pearls are much more costly, but even these are easier to gather compared to the 1st Century. Divers, using scuba equipment, can plunge the depths of water and look for oysters in hopes of finding a pearl. In the 1st Century diving for pearls was limited to how long a man could hold his breath making pearls incredibly rare and valuable. The kingdom of God is of great value. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.” (Matt 13:45-46)
Now we can piece together what Jesus is saying here. The message of the gospel, which is how a person gains entrance into God’s Kingdom, is of infinite value. “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul?” (Mark 8:36) We need to recognize the preciousness and value of the message and hold it in high esteem in our hearts. We are to go out to the highways and hedges and compel them to come in. However, sometimes we encounter people that are so hard-hearted and mocking that the gospel message is mistreated and you are attacked. Jesus says, at these moments you stop sharing with them because they are unwilling to listen or repent. Does this mean you never share with that person again? Maybe but not necessarily. If a person persistently and aggressively mocks you every time you mention Jesus, you do not continue to give him the message of the gospel because he will only denigrate it. But it may be that over time, with consistent prayer, a once rebellious individual may become open to hearing the gospel.
This calls for discernment, an idea which runs through this entire passage. You are to make proper judgments, but you should not have a judgmental attitude that is quick to condemn. You also must discern your own struggles and sins to be at a humble place to truly help others. And you must discern when you are being maligned and the gospel is being mocked, if the wise response may be to withhold sharing the gospel at that time while praying for a better time.
