I love my dogs. Not sure what life would be like without those furry critters. They bring so much joy and laughter to my life. But there’s one thing they do that I will never understand. EVER. Every time one of our dogs will hurls a nasty pile of puke, they’ll gobble it right back up. It’s one of the most disgusting things I’ve ever seen. And they do it every time. Every. Single. Time. What the WHAT?!?!? Why in the world would any creature ever think that their own barf looks delicious after heaving? I gotta tell you, I’m getting a little queasy just typing this.
Here at the end of chapter two, the Apostle Peter compares that nauseating image to the false teachers who are tearing apart local churches. He sounds the alarm for Jesus’ followers about a posse of con artists who are peddling a false gospel (2:1-3). They’re greedy grifters (2:3, 14-15). They’re sexual predators (2:2, 10, 14, 18). Pete doesn’t stop there. “Irrational animals” (2:12). “Blots and blemishes” (2:13). “Waterless springs” (2:17). “Slaves of corruption” (2:19). Not exactly the kind of reviews you’re looking for on Yelp. Finally, he flips back to the Old Testament to compare them dogs that eat their own vomit. If that’s not bad enough, the former fisherman says they’re like a hog that wallows in the filth of the pig pen.
Disgusting, right? That’s Pete’s point! He’s hoping you throw up in your mouth just a little bit. The apostle intentionally drops some sickening images. He wants us to be offended. He hopes our stomachs turn. Maybe you think this isn’t what’s going on. Maybe you believe that the Bible would never be so icky and gross. I hate to disappoint you, but that’s EXACTLY what’s happening. Under the guidance of God’s Spirit, the human authors of Scripture have written some revolting stuff. Over in his letter to Philippian believers, Pete’s buddy Paul describes everything in his life other than Jesus is a big, steaming pile (Phil 3:8). Your translation may say “rubbish” or “garbage.” But the original text uses skubalon. It means manure. Feces. Poop. The Bible uses disgusting language to describe disgusting sin. Like dog puke and pig pens.
Remember, dogs in the first century didn’t have the same cuddly image as man’s best friend as they do today. Few canines were domesticated back in the day. They roamed in feral packs and scavenged for food. They were vile creatures. As a result, the writers of Scripture use it to describe vile people. Here in this verse, Pete quotes the wisest human to ever walk the planet. King Solomon is the one responsible for the original dog puke proverb. “Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly” (Prov 26:11). When the false teachers return to the puke and the slop, they prove to the world that they were never saved in the first place. Paul warns Philippian followers about another crew of false teachers. “Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh” (Phil 3:2). In one of the last images at the end of Revelation, John lets us know who’s on the outside looking in when Jesus returns. “Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood” (Rev 22:15).
Just in case you’re not grossed out enough, Pete takes us over to the pig pen. Have you ever had the pleasure of visiting a swine operation? There is no more vile and pungent stank in the world. For Jews, the hog is unclean. It’s not kosher. God originally told His people to lay off the pork (Lev 11:7; Dt 14:8). Peter is writing to a mostly Jewish-Christian audience. They would’ve been raised to avoid hogs at all costs. They were foul and disgusting. Jesus’ own words back up His apostle’s point on dog puke and pig pens. “Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you” (Mt 7:6). Yuck!
The apostle’s point is that the false teachers reveal their true character and lack of salvation by returning to their original sinful lifestyle. This is a powerful and repulsive warning about the cesspool our Savior pulled us out of. Don’t go back. Don’t return. It’s like a pile of dog puke. It’s like a pig pen.
No comments:
Post a Comment