sheep among wolves

“Look, I’m sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as serpents and as harmless as doves. Matthew 10:16 HCSB
https://bible.com/bible/72/mat.10.16.HCSB

Wolves are predators of sheep. Sheep are not fighters, they grow wool, eat grass and produce offspring. They are the most unlikely animals to send out among wolves. Yet Jesus tells them to be wise as serpents, and as gentle as doves. Here Jesus is telling them not to be dumb as sheep, but cunning as snakes, yet applying the gentleness of doves. An unusual mix.

The whole of this chapter 10 is Jesus instructing the 12 apostles in going out to minister to the towns and villages. His instruction is right down to what not to take, as in spare clothing. He instructs them not to ask for money. As Judas was one of those going out, this may have been for him, as he liked the gold.

Jesus instructs them where to stay. They were to stay in the houses of those they went to minister to. For the longest time visiting ministry would stay at homes of those in the church. This only changed in the 2000s to my knowledge.  I know I enjoyed having ministers stay at our home. To bless one who had come with the word of God was an honour.

It is interesting that Jesus says in verse 23 that they would not have covered all the towns in Israel before they saw the second coming of the Son of Man. My bible commentary believes that this refers to all the dispersed settlements, not just the immediate area of Israel.

So sheepies, be wise amd gentle, but Go!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Who Rules?

The princes of Judah are like those who move boundary markers, I will pout out my fury on them like water. Hosea 5:10 World leaders of church and state are now all highly visible. When they are not open to consultation or do not listen they make judgements that are judged as foolish by both God and man. In Australia we just celebrated Australia Day and at this time various people are honoured for their contribution to society. Our Prime Minister, Mr Abbott, without consultation, conferred a knighthood on the Queen of England's husband, Phillip. Almost to a person, Australians judged this to be foolish. Even supporters have now distanced themselves. Imagine what it is like when church leaders follow their own emotions or the emotions of their people and change what is acceptable to God. For example, no longer considering adultery something that precludes a man from ministry. We might think we are clever, but actually going with a sinful flow. Where is God in all this? My emotions ar...
Read more

Know Your Sword!

So he took Him to Jerusalem, had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, "if you are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here. For it is written: 'He will give His angels orders concerning You, to protect you, they will support You with their hands, so that you will not strike Your foot against a stone.' And Jesus answered him, "it is said: 'do not test The Lord your God." And the Devil had finished every temptation, he departed from Him for a time. Luke 4:9-11 In this third test Satan quoted scripture but Jesus knew His scripture and was not going to be deceived by his enemy twisting the truth. I am amazed at what Satan tempted Jesus with. He did not know Christ. He had succeeded in tempting the first Adam yet he was thwarted in this attempt. Jesus had lived 30 years and been tutored in godliness with contentment, he was prepared, baptised in the Spirit and sold out to the Father's purpose. Every time our enemy comes against us we ...
Read more

Little Things Grow

The boy's mother said to Elisha, "as The Lord lives and you yourself live, I will not leave you. So he got up and followed her. 2 Kings 4:30 The Shunamite woman had travelled to Mt Carmel to find Elisha after the death of her son. Although Elisha had sent his servant Gehazi to the boy with his staff the woman had come to find Elisha and was not leaving without him. I like this lady's spirit. I am sure The Lord God Almighty also valued her heart. She had a heart for God and made room for Him in her world. Now, having lost her son she knew what to do: find Elisha and not let him go until he came to restore her son. What made the Shunamite woman believe that Elisha could raise her son? Was it the same faith that made her provide him a place to stay in her home? I believe it was God working in her life. I am grateful for her faith, I can read and be encouraged. We do not know her name yet her story lives in scripture. What a little thing it was to feed Elisha and then provide ...
Read more