My life is full of ironies. Today I had a conversation with a friend who had a terrible day at work because in doing his job passionately, as creatively as he is wont to do, he caused offense with people who were lazy and not interested in hearing what he had to say. Not only were they not content to silently twiddle their thumbs, but they treated him in open contempt, seeking to get him in trouble. I can understand this sort of frustration all too well. While it is true that people treat others based upon their own character and integrity, or lack thereof, this does not make it any easier to deal with the slanders and misrepresentations that result from people who are fearful or lazy. People who are afraid are not often wise, and to behave wisely is a task that all of us (myself most definitely included) often find difficult.

In Matthew 7:6, in the Sermon on the Mount, discussing the theme of judgment and transitioning to the theme of persistence (which, depending on the circumstance, can work well or poorly), Jesus Christ said the following: “Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.” This particular statement means something very specific in the Jewish context of Jesus’ day, and means something entirely different to us. In the Jewish context dogs and pigs were the most unclean and disgusting of animals, filthy scavengers. The Jews routinely called Gentiles pigs and dogs, both for the fact that they were ceremonially unclean as well as the fact that they often ate (and still eat) such unclean animals themselves. Of course, it was extremely unjust for them to do so, but people who are without character and integrity are seldom just in the sorts of labels they place on others.

It would appear on the surface, at least, that Jesus Christ could have been seen as reinforcing the traditional Jewish interpretation of this verse by telling his audience not to cast their pearls before swine or to give what is holy to the dogs. After all, what is a pearl worthy of a higher price or more holy than salvation into the Kingdom of Heaven? To an audience of traditionalist-minded Jews (including, it must be admitted, probably the twelve as well), this verse would have meant something that we would never think of: “Do not preach the Kingdom of God to Gentiles.” Now, this particular meaning is contradicted by many passages, but we should also understand that during the time of Jesus’ earthly ministry He did caution His disciples not to go into the Gentile realms to preach at that time, though He himself dealt in quite an honorable manner with Samaritans and Phoenecians and other Gentiles whom he came into contact with, even with Pontius Pilate of Rome. Even though Jesus Christ wanted to focus first on the Jews to give them an open and honest chance to hear Him out, to see His character and righteousness, and to have the opportunity to be the firstfruits into the Kingdom, He did not reject those Gentiles whom he came into contact with along the course of His ministry.

However, He must have sensed (probably accurately) that His disciples were not yet prepared to move beyond their prejudices against Gentiles. God is more merciful to us than we often understand. By cautioning his disciples not to preach unto the Gentiles until they had overcome their own biases and prejudices, and in later entrusting others with a greater passion for the task to preach predominately to the Gentiles (like Paul and Barnabas), Jesus was showing mercy to both the disciples as well as to the Gentiles. He was showing His mercy to the disciples by seeking to prevent them from behaving in ways that would do violence to their spirits, by leading them to blaspheme those whom God had called and sought to bring into His family, by treating them in a rough and hostile and rude and contemptuous manner. For God surely judges us by every word that proceeds from our mouths, our pens, and our keyboards, and many of us have much to answer for. Jesus was also showing mercy to the Gentiles, for He wished them to hear the message of His kingdom from those who were prepared to do so with respect and with tenderness, rather than with arrogant hostility. Had the narrowly Jewish patriotic disciples tried to “convert” the ignorant Gentiles before they were properly mature and seasoned, the result would have been disastrous, as it would have caused actual offense among the Gentiles and would have been a grave sin to be charged against the disciples. Jesus Christ, by his caution and prudence (virtues I could probably use more of), managed to protect both the immature disciples and the future sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father until the time and the situation were right. We are not always so fortunate.

So, what is this verse really saying? What does it mean to cast what is holy before the dogs, or to cast pearls before swine? As is often the case in the Bible, it can mean a few things, depending on the circumstance and situation. People often use it to say that we should not give wisdom to those who do not appreciate it, and that is certainly one genuine meaning of the verse, though it is usually said in a rather harsh way. It is not one’s ancestry or any other accident of birth that makes one a pig or a dog. Instead, being a pig or a dog is all about attitude. If one treats others with kindness and restraint and respect, even in the face of numerous provocations, such a person is not a pig or a dog. If someone models godly love and kindness even to those who curse and insult and show contempt, such a person is not a pig or a dog. Indeed, such kindness may not always be recognized or reciprocated, but God sees it and will reward such a godly person who suffers slanders and attacks and responds in love and mercy in His own time. However, God will also bring to account those who have slandered and attacked others and, if they refuse to repent of their offenses, will humble them greatly in His own time as well. God will show mercy on whomever He will show mercy, and will show judgment on whomever He shows judgment.

We must also pay some attention to what is holy and what are pearls. If we are ungodly to others, we can hardly justly comfort ourselves concerning the harsh reaction of others by calling them pigs and dogs if we have attacked them. People are pigs and dogs in the eyes and estimation of Jesus Christ only under very specific circumstances, and that is when we have behaved towards people with respect and consideration, speaking the truth to them in love, and when the response to that consideration and respect has not been kindness and a reciprocation of respect, but rather undeserved hostility and disrespect and contempt. In such a circumstance, further kindness would be a further provocation. It is in response to our kindness and loving nature (nature that has been given by God and that we do not possess on our own) that the nature of others is revealed. People may respond back in harshness for all kinds of reasons–including their own fears and wounds. We ought not to be harsh to those who are damaged souls who cannot trust the integrity of others. Having walked many miles in such shoes, I cannot throw any stones at such people, lest I condemn myself. And yet I do mourn those times when Satan’s gift for spreading fear and terror divides those who ought to be united. Surely God will make all things right, in His time.