The Syrophoenician Woman

The Syrophoenician Woman

Scripture References: Matthew 15:21-28; Mark 7:24-30

ABOUT HER

• She was a Canaanite from the region of Tyre and Sidon
• She was a mother with a demon-possessed daughter
• She was desperate for help from Jesus

HER OUTER WOMAN

Read Matthew 15:21-28

Culturally

• Non-Jewish, a Gentile
• “Mark tells us that the woman of Canaan was Syrophoenician by race -the Phoenicians having merged with Syria. Later, the little country was taken over by the Greeks, and consequently by culture and language she was a Greek. The Greek is also identified with Gentile (see Romans 1:16).” -Frances Vander Velde, Women of the Bible

Functionally

• She approaches Jesus the way the Jews did “Have mercy on me, Son of David” (Matt 9:27 -the two blind men, Matt 12:23 -demon oppressed man healed, Matt 20:20 -blind men)
• “The Syrophoenician woman was a mixture of several races and a true Gentile (see Mark 7:26 for her nationality). She had no claim on Jesus as the Son of David, and when she addressed Him as such, He answered her not a word.” -J. Vernon McGee, Thru the Bible Commentary
• Remember the Gospel of Matthew highlights Jesus, King of the Jews. When Jesus responds to the disciples saying, “I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel” he is causing her to face this fact while at the same time testing her faith. Jesus ministered to everyone differently.

“Because of all we know of Christ’s love and compassion, we cannot believe that He meant to ignore altogether her cry for help. Often the problem of unanswered prayer is acute, but He who ever hears the pleas of those who seek Him always answers prayer in His own best way. Perhaps with this Gentile mother, His repulse was meant to try her faith, which proved to be a faith accepting no rebuff.” -Herbert Lockyer, All the Women of the Bible

How do you respond to God’s apparent silence? David in Psalm 35:22 ESV responded this way, “You have seen, O LORD; be not silent! O Lord, be not far from me!”

TALK TO THE LORD!

Jesus is always quiet on purpose. Do you presume it to be a bad thing? It is wise to wait on the Lord for the revealing of His purposes and plans while seeking Him earnestly when He appears to be silent and not to assume the worst or give way to vain imagination.

HOW NOT TO RESPOND WHEN THE LORD IS SILENT:

1. Don’t make stuff up (lose touch with reality, create a false peace)
1. Nehemiah 6:8 ESV “No such things as you say have been done, for you are inventing them out of your own mind.”
2. Deuteronomy 29:18-19 NLT “...so that no root among you bears bitter and poisonous fruit. Those who hear the warnings of this curse should not congratulate themselves, thinking, ‘I am safe, even though I am following the desires of my own stubborn heart.’ This would lead to utter ruin!
3. “Worry is nothing less than the misuse of your imagination.” -Ed Foreman
2. Don’t lean on your own understanding (Coming up with your own conclusions)
1. Proverbs 3:5 ESV “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.”
2. “Always beware when you can reasonably account to yourself for the action you are about to take, because the source of such clear reasoning is the enthroning of human understanding.” -Oswald Chambers, Our Portrait in Genesis
3. Don’t be wise in your own eyes (Allowing pride to be your guide)
1. Proverbs 3:7a ESV “Be not wise in your own eyes.”
2. Jeremiah 17:9 NIV “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?”
3. “Unless we get hurt right out of every deception about ourselves, the word of God is not having its way with us.” -Oswald Chambers
4. “Pride is the hidden cause behind destroyed relationships, stunted spiritual growth, and thwarted emotional healing.” -Priscilla Shirer, Gideon
4. Don’t go out alone (Doing your own thing)
1. Isaiah 52:12 ESV “For you shall not go out in haste, and you shall not go in flight, for the Lord will go before you, and the God of Israel will be your rear guard.”

HOW TO RESPOND WHEN THE LORD WHEN HE IS SILENT:

1. Wait for the Lord’s revelation (Do not make a presumption)
1. Philippians 4:5 NKJV “Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand”
2. Philippians 4:8a NKJV “Finally, brothers, whatever is true...think about these things.”
2. Acknowledge God’s ways in the situation (state the facts of what you DO know)
1. 2 Corinthians 1:20 NKJV “For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.”
2. “I claim the fulfillment of God’s promises, and rightly, but that is only the human side; the Divine side is that through the promises I recognize God’s claim on me.” -Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest
3. Seek wisdom from the scripture you DON’T already have (search the facts of what you DON’T know)
1. Proverbs 2:2 NKJV “So that you incline your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding;”
2. Proverbs 3:13 NKJV “Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding;”
4. Do things God’s way (Don’t go forward alone, without God)
1. Galatians 5:25 NIV “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”
2. Galatians 5:25 NLT “Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.”
3. “Extended times of prayer are not meant to change God’s mind but to align our thinking with His. Jesus never set His agenda and then asked God to bless it. He only did what the Father told Him to do (John 5:19).” -Sharon Jaynes, A Sudden Glory

What she had going against her was: her race (Canaanite), her gender (woman), the disciples (pushing her away), Jesus Himself was silent

• In her place one would most likely sink away brokenhearted and discouraged.
• “Before you’re tempted to wearily cast aside your jersey and quit, keep in mind our team wins.” -Beth Moore, Daniel
• What are things that come against you in your pursuit of God that you need to acknowledge and deal with. We all have them. Write these things down. Don’t let life pass by and miss out on the purposes of God for your life!

“Jesus was drawing out from her an understanding that would be helpful not only to her in this situation specifically but to us in all generations historically.” -Pastor Jon Courson

HER INNER WOMAN

After Jesus addressed her religious “talk” and responded to the disciples after His silence this woman crying out to Him, we see her respond from the heart saying in verse 25, “Lord, help me.”

Then Jesus goes a level deeper in her heart with his response in verse 26! The Jews referred to the Gentiles as dogs “kyon” and Jesus used a derivative of the word dog “kynarion” meaning “little dog” with the meaning of a pet.  In my opinion he used a softer term of the word to speak more respectfully to her.

“Jesus was saying, ‘It isn’t reasonable for the children to be starving when the pet dogs are being fed’” -Pastor Jon Courson

Then came her response! She had a humble response and did not allow PRIDE to hinder her intimacy with Jesus. Jesus goes back and forth with us to draw us OUT. He desires interaction with us, for us to be enlightened in the truth, to know what we believe and why. Read Ephesians 1:15-23

What was Jesus teaching the disciples? This woman could not come to Him as a Jew, but she could come to Him by faith.

“Now our Lord leaves the land of Israel for the first time during His public ministry. This is interesting because He came to Israel as her King. When He sent His disciples out, He instructed them to go into the cities of Israel but not beyond her boundaries. Then the Lord was rejected by Israel, and there arose a conflict. The breaking point between Jesus and the religious rulers came only a few verses ago. What happens? Jesus Himself steps over the boundaries of Israel and lays down another great principle. He will now receive the Gentiles.” -J. Vernon McGee, Thru the Bible Commentary

FAITH: Read Romans 4:1-25 and Galatians 3:21-29

“Many women were ardent followers of Jesus during His earthly ministry, but he said only of this one distressed mother, ‘Woman, great is thy faith.’” -Frances Vander Velde, Women of the Bible

Life Lesson

Persevere in your requests for the Lord. Have a breakthrough!

This woman had a breakthrough with Jesus! What did it take? What did it require of her?

Face resistance, stay in God’s presence, persist dialogue with Jesus, maintain a heart of humility (confessing what we don’t deserve), receive what Jesus gives us by faith

Discussion Questions:

1. In what areas do we tend to “give up” in with God in prayer? If we quit, what are we possibly missing out on?
2. What most impressed you about this woman?
3. What is a desire or request that you want to ask God for (that you feel comfortable sharing)?

Proverbs 31 Woman

The Proverbs 31 Woman

Proverbs 31:10-31

Each verse of the Proverbs 31 Woman begins with one of the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet.

This woman defines a woman of inner strength and beauty.

• Ephesians 3:16 NASB “that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to       be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man,”

As a result of her inner strength and beauty, we see her outer physical body displaying strength as she works hard in her service.

SHE IS PRICELESS (v.10)

“An excellent wife who can find?”

excellent in the Hebrew is “chayil” and means “virtue”

wife in the Hebrew is “ishshah” and is a feminine noun meaning woman, wife or female.

“who can find?” -these kind of women are rare and they stand out among the crowd.

“for her worth is far above jewels” -there is so much more to a woman than the physical! Do you know what you’re worth?

Character is of great worth in God’s eyes.

Jewels are considered valuable because they have to be mined, searched for and discovered. In a crowd of women, this one was a gem! The Proverbs 31 woman shined in a commonplace crowd.

SHE IS TRUSTWORTHY (v.11)

heart in Hebrew is “leb” and is used very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything.

“trusts” in Hebrew is “batach” and means “to trust, be confident or sure” -It is a verb indicating to trust, to be confident. It expresses the feeling of safety and security that is felt when one can rely on someone or something else.

“he will have no lack of gain” -Everything that he gets from her adds value to him; she doesn’t take it away. She enhances his life, not rob him. She enriches him.

SHE IS GOOD (v.12)

“The woman who is intent on having her refreshing ministry overflow into the lives of those she loves, does good and not evil all the days of her life!” -Elizabeth George

Each day, make a plan to do good. Then, follow through with the plan!

“all the days of his life” -The key to achieving this is to take life one day at a time. It means to wake up each morning and embrace what God has for you that day!

SHE IS HAPPY (v.13)

Physical chores -looking for what needs to be done and doing them with delight.

It wasn’t that she did these chores, it was how she did them!

The ability to do things this way started in her thought life. She chose to take her thoughts captive and have joy in her circumstances.

How to have a willing heart in your tasks:

• Prayer -will give you the perspective that you need and you will get fresh encouragement and direction from the Holy Spirit
• Scripture -will give you wisdom and help keep your mind stayed on the truth
• Unto the Lord -God is your boss! Seek to work for Him every day and hear Him say “Job well done!”
• Wait -Be patient to see all the fruit of the labor that you do. The harvest will come!
• Rest -take time to rest and be refreshed with a nap and some quiet time. You will be able to get back up and work with fresh vigor. Don’t feel guilty by taking a coffee break!

SHE PROVIDES (v.14)

“No merchants’ ships,no, not Solomon’s navy, ever made a more advantageous return than her employments do. Do they bring in foreign commodities with the effects they export? So does she with the fruit of her labours. What her own ground does not produce she can furnish herself with, if she have occasion for it, by exchanging her own goods for it; and so she brings her food from afar. Not that she values things the more for their being far-fetched, but, if they be ever so far off, if she must have them she knows how to come by them.” -Matthew Henry Commentary

SHE DIRECTS HER HOME (v.15)

She is a hard worker. She goes the extra mile to keep things running and in order.

Romans 12:10-13 NASB “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.”

Luke 12:42 NASB “And the Lord said, "Who then is the faithful and sensible steward, whom his master will put in charge of his servants, to give them their rations at the proper time?”

She saw everyone’s value and worth. She directed them and delegated to them.

Success for the day includes:

• an early start -wake up before the family to pray and be in the Word. You can be awake and ready when everyone else gets up
• food for the day -get breakfast items out and ready, start cooking dinner right away, prepare lunch ahead of time
• a plan for the day -have a written out, prayer directed plan for your day! *don’t forget to plan rest time and free time in your day as well

SHE DREAMS (v. 16)

The Proverbs 31 Woman was a dreamer! She was a woman who had vision and then set out to see it come to life.

She had a little business tact. We see her working the real estate, earning money and then planting a vineyard.

SHE IS STRONG (v.17)

Make your house a home.

She kept her physical strength up so she could accomplish all the tasks demanded of her. She kept herself healthy and strong. She was practical. Things like eating right, getting enough rest and exercise help you in your pursuit of serving the Lord.

SHE IS INDUSTRIOUS (v. 18)

senses -She is attentive to her God-given intuition when it comes to the needs of the household.

lamp -In her physical work there were times when she went the extra mile. She is on top of things so that things will not fall behind.

Our spiritual lamp is the Bible! God’s Word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path.

SHE IS SKILLED (v.19)

She is skilled in necessary tasks of homemaking. What are necessary skills needed for homemaking?

“Do you have dreams? Are there works of art you would like to create? Skills you desire to gain? Talents you would love to develop? A great, hidden treasure of time is accessible to you at night -a quiet time for growth, a time to perfect skills, learn new arts, read, and study.” -Elizabeth George

SHE IS COMPASSIONATE (v.20)

She is giving and helps those in need.

Deuteronomy 15:11 NASB "For the poor will never cease to be in the land; therefore I command you, saying, 'You shall freely open your hand to your brother, to your needy and poor in your land.'”

Proverbs 22:9 NASB “He who is generous will be blessed, For he gives some of his food to the poor.”

Acts 20:35 NASB "In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"

SHE IS PREPARED (v. 21)

She is prepared and works at being so. She thinks ahead. This is key to decreasing levels of anxiety and stress!

“If fail to plan then plan to fail.”

Practical Tip: Do the most pressing things first in your day and get them out of the way!

Because she planned ahead, she was able to do her job well.

Scarlet was a wealthy color.

SHE IS FEMININE (v. 22)

The Proverbs 31 Woman took care of her appearance.

She dressed with taste.

Wake up and get dressed and ready for work! You will feel better when you do this.

The cross reference was Proverbs 7:16. She was tasteful this way in context!

Revelation 19:8 NASB “It was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.”

Revelation 19:14 NASB “And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses.”

The Bride of Christ is clothed in fine linens.

The color of purple was a color of royalty. It is what kings wore.

She saw her value and worth, not in a prideful way, but in a dignified way.

We need to look at ourselves as God looks at us.

I AM...

SHE IS HONORED (v. 23)

The Proverbs 31 Woman had an honorable husband.

Deuteronomy 16:18 NASB "You shall appoint for yourself judges and officers in all your towns which the LORD your God is giving you, according to your tribes, and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment.”

Ruth 4:1 NASB “Now Boaz went up to the gate and sat down there, and behold, the close relative of whom Boaz spoke was passing by, so he said, "Turn aside, friend, sit down here." And he turned aside and sat down.”

(talk about what it meant to be known in the gates...do more research)

SHE IS THRIFTY (v. 24)

“She developed something personal into something professional.” -Elizabeth George

What is your personal “thing” or skill? Develop it. Your family is first but give your personal “thing” a little bit of time and attention and it will grow and develop!

SHE IS FEARLESS (v. 25)

“strength” in the Hebrew is “oz” and means “might, strength” -in the material, physical, personal social or political.

Other verses that use this same Hebrew word for strength are:

• Exodus 15:2 NASB “The LORD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation; This is my God, and I will praise Him; My father's God, and I will extol Him.”
• 1 Chronicles 15:11 NASB “Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face continually.
• Psalm 28:7 NASB “The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart exults, And with my song I shall thank Him.
• Psalm 29:11 NASB “The LORD will give strength to His people; The LORD will bless His people with peace.”

“dignity” in Hebrew “hadar” means “ornament, splendor, honor”

Other verses using this word are:

• Psalm 96:6 NASB “Splendor and majesty are before Him, Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary.
• Psalm 104:1 NKJV “Bless the LORD, O my soul! O LORD my God, You are very great: You are clothed with honor and majesty,”

“smiles at the future” -FEARLESS! She is not overcome by fear. AND she is not afraid of getting old! She looks forward to the days ahead :)

Psalm 92:12-15 NASB “The righteous man will flourish like the palm tree, he will grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still yield fruit in old age; they shall be full of sap and very green, to declare that the Lord is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him”

May this be the desire of our hearts!

Philippians 3:13-14 NASB “Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

SHE IS WISE AND KIND (v. 26)

“wisdom” in Hebrew “chokmah” means “skillful, wisdom, wisely, wit” -”a feminine noun meaning wisdom, skill, experience, shrewdness.:

KINDNESS -Simply ask yourself if you are acting kind. Kindness goes a long way! By just simply being kind you can set the tone in the home and actually have more things go your way. :)

SHE IS DILIGENT (v. 27)

Diligent homemaker

Proverbs 19:15 NASB “Laziness casts into a deep sleep, And an idle man will suffer hunger.”

When you feel tired, sometimes it is better to get up and do something and you will feel refreshed.

SHE IS PRAISED (v. 28)

She does not praise herself.

Proverbs 27:2 NASB “Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; A stranger, and not your own lips.”

“Being a mother is worth fighting for, worth calling a career, worth the dignity of hard work.” -Edith Schaeffer

SHE IS EXCELLENT (v. 29)

She lived her life in excellence. From the inside out! She made a connection with her husband and this is how he praised her!

SHE IS GODLY (v. 30)

She was a woman who truly feared the Lord.

Proverbs 11:22 NASB “As a ring of gold in a swine’s snout, so is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion.”

Proverbs 12:4 NASB “An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who shames him is as rottenness in his bones.”

Psalm 34:9 NASB “O fear the LORD, you His saints; For to those who fear Him there is no want.”

Proverbs 9:10 NASB “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”

SHE IS A WOMAN OF FAITH (v. 31)

She is a woman who works out her faith.

James 1:22 NASB “But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.”

PROVERBS 31 WOMAN RECOMMENDED READING:

• Beautiful in God’s Eyes by Elizabeth George
• Discovering the Treasures of a Godly Woman: A Woman After God's Own Heart Series, Proverbs 31 by Elizabeth George
• The Excellent Wife by Martha Peace
• A Woman’s Secret To A Balanced Life by Sharon Jaynes and Lysa TerKeurst
• Becoming the Woman God Wants Me to Be: A 90-Day Guide to Living the Proverbs 31 Life by Donna Partow