The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Predestination

First.... this passage has nothing to do with the topic of "Predestination". <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/giggle.gif" alt="" />

Second, the CONTEXT tells us that the terms "children" and "[house] dogs" refer thusly:

children: Jews
dogs: Gentiles

The meaning of the text is that salvation must first come to the Jews and thereafter to the Gentiles. I can give you references for this truth if needed. In this particular passage, Jesus refers to her (race) as "house dogs" since they are not the physical chosen people to whom the promise of the Messiah was first to come. The Gentiles, even in the O.T. are never excluded, mind you but it was a matter or priority. And the Lord didn't exclude her (Gentiles) completely either as He said, "First let the children eat . . ." And I believe that this woman understood that as well, for rather than being totally put off having resigned herself to no possibility, rather she took what He said in a positive vane and went on to show that even house dogs get to eat of the crumbs that fall from the table.

So, the thrust of the passage is dealing with the order in which the Gospel message of salvation was to come; Jews first and then Gentiles.

In His grace,