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Day 159

2 Peter 1:9 "For he who lacks these things is short-sighted, even to blindness..."

Day 159 – Mark 7

“For he who lacks these things is short-sighted, even to blindness…” 2 Peter 1:9

PROVING THE POINT

Jesus did not merely accuse the scribes and Pharisees. He was able to prove that His accusations were not spurious remarks.

“He said to them, ‘All too well you reject
the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.
‘For Moses said, ‘Honour your father and your mother; and,
‘He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.””
MARK 7:9-10

1. The Ten Commandments

All Jews knew the Decalogue well.

a) The first four commandments
The first four commandments had to do with God Himself. These were obeyed religiously by the Jews.
b) The last six commandments
The last six commandments regulated man’s conduct. The fifth commandment was given to teach children to rightly honour their parents!

2. The statutes of Israel

There were many other statutes given to Israel. These were given to explain the Decalogue, so that these deictic commandments from God would be obeyed. The fifth commandment carried a very solemn threat. The person who breaks this law indiscriminately could be punished by the law with death (Cf. Leviticus 20:9).

3. The laying aside of the commandment of God in favour of tradition

This was the problem that Jesus had to address.

a) Many were not as learned as the scribes and Pharisees.
b) Many would not know that the Scriptures were actually being manipulated by them.
c) The fifth commandment was obviously being violated by the scribes and Pharisees.
i) The unscrupulous benefited from “the traditions of men”.
ii) Fathers and mothers were the unfortunate victims.
iii) God’s commandment, given to protect parents was being violated badly.
iv) The traditions of men had a deadly sinister undertone that must be exposed.