- Ephesians 1:11 In Christ we too have been claimed as God’s own possession, since we were predestined according to the one purpose of Him who accomplishes all things according to the counsel of His will 12 so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, would be to the praise of his glory. 13And when you heard the word of truth (the gospel of your salvation) – when you believed in Christ – you were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit, NET
God has a purposeful beginning and end. History unfolds according to this purpose (although not everything that happens is God’s purpose). In Christ, God has a plan and it is going to happen.
The first question to ask is exactly who is “we” and who is “you”. The “we” are the first group who hoped in Christ with Paul including himself in that category. It could be apostles or it could be the Jews. The “you” is simply us.
Ephesians 2:11 Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh–who are called “uncircumcision” by the so-called “circumcision” that is performed on the body by human hands– NET
With the exception of Romans, every letter Paul writes comes about because of a problem that needs to be addressed and that is what he will do beginning at Ephesians 2:11. The problem was a split in the early church as there was a group who had always been there (Jewish Christians) versus a newer group that lacked a prior connection to God (Gentile Christians). There was a sense of entitlement among the Jews based upon their status as God’s chosen people that not only marginalized the newcomers but made them feel like interlopers. On the other side of the coin, the Jewish Christians must have felt like the brother who stayed home and followed the rules only later to be ignored when the prodigal son returns.
Note too that in the first third of Acts, all of the Christians are of Jewish heritage. It isn’t until we get to the Ethiopian eunuch and Cornelius that we see Gentile converts. Paul knows that you can’t have that type of division and still remain true to the Gospel which is the impetus for sending this letter.
Matthew 15:21Jesus went out from there, and withdrew into the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22And look, a Canaanite woman came out from those borders, and started shouting, saying, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David. My daughter is severely demonized.” 23 But he did not answer her a word. His disciples came and pleaded with him, saying, “Send her away, for she keeps shouting at us.” 24 But he answered, “I was not sent to anyone but the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 25 But she came and worshiped him, saying, “Lord, help me.” 26 But he answered, “It is not appropriate to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” 27 But she said, “Yes, Lord, but even the dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.” 28Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith. Be it done to you even as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that hour. NHEB
Mark 7:24 After Jesus left there, he went to the region of Tyre. When he went into a house, he did not want anyone to know, but he was not able to escape notice. 25 Instead, a woman whose young daughter had an unclean spirit immediately heard about him and came and fell at his feet. 26 The woman was a Greek, of Syrophoenician origin. She asked him to cast the demon out of her daughter. 27 He said to her, “Let the children be satisfied first, for it is not right to take the children’s bread and to throw it to the dogs.” 28 She answered, “Yes, Lord, but even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” 29 Then he said to her, “Because you said this, you may go. The demon has left your daughter.” 30 She went home and found the child lying on the bed, and the demon gone. NET
As Matthew is written to a Jewish audience, the woman is referred to as a Cannanite (reflecting her ancestry) while in Mark, she is referred as Syrophoenician because she lives in the Phoenicia in the Roman province of Syria. Either way, her people had been enemies of the Jews for hundreds of years. Among the more infamous of the Syrian kings was Antiochus IV who ruled about 200 years prior to the earthly ministry of Jesus. Antiochus IV decreed, under the penalty of death, that the Jews could no longer practice their religion and would be forced to worship Zeus instead. During his reign, he killed thousands of people in Jerusalem and defiled the Temple by sacrificing pigs on the altar giving rise to the Maccabean revolt in 165 BC. So it goes with saying that the attitude of the disciples toward her is not kind.
Note in Mark that Jesus tells her that the children (i.e., the Jewish people) have to be satisfied first. This leaves an opening for her to respond to further press her case (and show her faith). Jesus doesn’t just decide to heal the woman’s daughter as a spur of the moment gesture but rather to demonstrate to the disciples that a Gentile could have faith in Jesus and that He will respond to that faith. Her problem in approaching Jesus is that it isn’t yet time for the inclusion of the Gentiles. Also worth noting is that Strong’s defines the Greek word translated as “dogs” means “a little dog or a house dog” (perhaps even “puppy”). There is a different Greek word for dog.
Exodus 19:5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice, and keep my covenant, then you shall be my own possession from among all peoples; for all the earth is mine; 6 and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation.’ NHEB
The Jews have a prior claim and along with that claim, a multitude of spiritual advantages which can either be a source of pride or an impetus to mission. Unlike the approach they took by separating themselves from the world, our job is to help lead others to redemption rather than hoarding this grace.
Ephesians 1:13 And when you heard the word of truth (the gospel of your salvation) – when you believed in Christ – you were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit, NET
The Jews knew they were chosen because of the stories of covenant while the Gentile knows they have a claim (or place) with God because of the Holy Spirit.
2Corinthians 1:22 who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a down payment. NET
The Holy Spirit inwardly validates the outward message that we are saved. What God did on the cross also applies to you (and me) but it isn’t the logic of the words that convinced us but rather the work of the Holy Spirit.
In the ancient world, a seal was used to attest to ownership. (Same concept as branding cattle). The down payment is similar to the escrow money we put down when we want to buy a house. The escrow funds are a pledge that demonstrate our intent to the seller.
When we are adopted our intimacy with God is restored through the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit that confirms in our hearts that we are Christians and it also tells us that the Bible is true. This is an experience and not a concept.
Romans 8: 13 (for if you live according to the flesh, you will die), but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery leading again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness to our spirit that we are God’s children. NET