Mark 7:27 – ‘Let the children be fed first, for it is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs’.

Mark 7:24-30 reports an important incident that occurred during the ministry of Jesus Christ. Matthew (15:21-28) also reports this incident and quotes Jesus’s response to the Syro-Phoenician/Canaanite mother.

A brief genealogical background of this woman would help us to better understand the whole context related to this incident. The Canaanites were called Phoenicians by the Greeks, and Syro-Phoenicia simply identifies this region as the Syrian part of Phoenicia, to distinguish from the North African Phoenicia. The origin of Canaanites could be discovered in Genesis 10:15-19. Canaan was the grandson of Noah, and the son of Ham who not only saw the nakedness of his father, but further maligned himself by exposing his father’s naked to his two brothers, Shem and Japheth. By committing this sin, Ham brought the curse on his son Canaan as we read in Genesis 9:25.

Though the sin was committed by Ham, the curse fell on his son Canaan. Exodus 20:5 says that God punishes the children for the iniquity of the parents. This is termed as generational curse descending down through children and grandchildren, continuing until repented. We see the same in the case of Cain as well, where God said to him that ‘sin is lurking at the door’ (Genesis 4:7).

Biblical history reveals that sin continued through generations among the Canaanites. This is why Abraham made his servant to swear by the Lord that he will not get a wife for his son Isaac from among the Canaanites (Genesis 24:3). The curse on Canaanites is sounded apparent in Isiah 23: 1-4, the curse on Tyre and Sidon (the regions where the Canaanites lived). Please also note that Sidon was the son of Canaan (Genesis 10:15). The curses on the Canaanites are further mentioned in Jeremiah 47:4 and Ezekiel 28:21. Apparently, by the time of Jesus, the Canaanites were fully drenched in sin with idol worship and other sinful activities.

Jesus replied to the Canaanite/Syro-Phoenician woman that she did not belong to ‘the children’ (Mark 7:27; Matthew 15:26). By now, I hope it is clear why this woman is not considered among the children. It may not be her fault or sin, but it is a curse continuing through the generations. Let us have a look at as to who is considered as a child of God:

Jesus said, ‘Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called the children of God’ (Matthew 5:9). H. G Dr Geevarghese Mar Osthathios of blessed memory describes the cross as a symbol of peaceful relationship in the vertical and horizontal realm. By horizontal realm H.G means peace and harmony among our co-beings in this world; and in the vertical realm- a peaceful relationship between God and mankind.

A true child could be considered as one that has a peaceful relationship with God the Father. Peace with the Father means complete obedience and unconditional surrender to his will. Both these qualities are found in Jesus’ life on earth. Philippians 2:8 states that Jesus was obedient to the point of death. In the prayer at Gethsemane Jesus surrendered Himself to God’s will (Matthew 26:39), demonstrating complete obedience. Even at a tender age of His earthly life, Jesus displayed obedience as is evident in Luke 2:51- ‘Then He went down to with them…and was obedient to them’.

We are made righteous through the obedience of Jesus Christ (see Hebrews 5:8-9). Romans 5:19 states ‘by the one man’s (Jesus Christ) obedience the many will be made righteous’. This means that it is through obedience (to God) that we achieve righteousness. Obedience then, could be discerned as an inbuilt attitude towards Christ, in the same way as Saint Paul expresses- ‘…….and we take every thought captive to obey Christ’ (2 Corinthians 10:5). Jesus has shown us through his life and teachings that by complete obedience we establish a peaceful relationship with God, and in turn get marked as children of God (John 1:12).

On the contrary, non-peaceful relationship with God stems from disobedience, which in fact is rebellion (against God). Isiah 14:12-14 tells us how Satan, once a trusted and powerful angel rebelled against God and was thrown out. This incident is further mentioned in Revelations 12:4&7 where Michael the archangel fought against Satan (dragon) and was thrown out.

Obedience is a covenantal relationship with God practiced in the form of worship, whereas, rebellion is disobedience and the breakage of that covenant. Therefore, when we submit ourselves to our heavenly Father in complete obedience we are in a state of worship. In this state, God dwells in us and we in Him (see Revelations 3:20). Worship is the state in which we unite with God. Psalms 22:3 states that God is enthroned on the praises (worship) of Israel. When we are disobedient, we accept Satan as our father, and submitting ourselves as his children (see John 8:44), thereby worshipping him.

We discussed above about generational curses which affected the Syro-Phoenician woman. We may wonder, is there anything like generational blessings as well. Of course yes. In the same way we suffer from generational punishments we can enjoy generational rewards as well. For instance, Levi and his descendants were born years later after Abraham died but still Levi received the blessings which Melchizedek bestowed on Abraham. The Bible says that Levi was in fact present in the loins of Abraham when Melchizedek blessed Abraham (Hebrews 7:10). If so, it could be presumed that Syro-Phoenician woman is also entitled for some blessings as she is a descendant of Noah, and we read that Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation, and walked with God (Genesis 6:9). Moreover, he received blessings from God (Genesis 8:21; 9:1). Therefore, it should be apparent that in the same way as Levi was in the loins of Abraham, the Syro-Phoenician woman was in the loins of Noah.

If this is the case, then why was this woman refused to be heard by Jesus. Noah and his children were in complete obedience to God and hence were in a state of worship. But Ham, his son, rebelled later and fell from the state of worship and was cursed. We should not forget that God’s promises and blessings are eternal (see Isiah 54:10) and, God never changes (Malachi 3:6). It is our sins that clouds God’s presence, promises and blessings. As we read in Isiah 59:1, ‘Lord’s hand is not too short to save………….rather your iniquities have been barriers………and your sins have hidden his face from you……’ Ham was blessed along with Noah but later he sinned and invited Lord’s wrath. The later generation of Canaanites continued in the sins and never desired for the Lord. In Malachi 3:7 God says ‘Ever since the days of your ancestors you have turned aside from my statutes and have not kept them. Return to me and I will return to you’. The Canaanite woman decided to return to the Lord and Lord accepted her, keeping His promise.

Most of us feel uncomfortable with Jesus contrasting ‘children’ with dogs (Mark 7:27). The reason could be better understood from Revelations 22:15 which states, ‘Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and fornicators and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood’. Thus, it could be discerned that dogs are equated to other satanic activities listed in this verse. Therefore, we may deduct and discern that Jesus is actually bringing out all sorts of sins practiced by the Canaanites. The sinful practices of Canaanites made them worshippers of Satan which was exposed by Jesus.

However, here is an exception that this woman though suffering from pathetic sinful conditions decides to walk out of the clan and return to the Lord. The woman in a way is confessing to Jesus about her generational sins and at the same time refusing to return to her sinful past. She rather prefers to be under the table of the children of God and rely on the crumbs. She realised that remaining humble in the presence of Lord is worthier than enjoying the pleasures of sins back home. We see the same approach in Moses when he preferred to be called a child of God and share ill-treatment with the people of God rather than being called son of Pharaoh, and enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin (Hebrew 11:24-25).

Obedience to God is not only during the time of happiness but even when we are in severe hardship. Jesus’s obedience was visible even when He was crying loud and in tears (Hebrews 5:7). This reflects the true and genuine love of children to Father. The Canaanite woman approached Jesus with a strong and unwavering faith. She did not give up at the discouraging words of Jesus as it sounds to others. Instead she discerned in her spirit the essence of Jesus’ words. And, it was meant for her salvation. She accepts her state as a dog due to the demonic stronghold/s (2 Corinthians 10:4) established due to her ancestors giving entry to them. Entry to demons in our lives occur due to many ungodly behaviours (for example see Ephesians 5:3-4; Galatian 5:20-21). It was Ham her forefather through whom demon gained foothold and eventually became a stronghold down the generation. However, now, after the Canaanite woman receiving Jesus, her daughter is delivered from demon. In other words, through one woman the following generation is blessed.

Jesus said, ‘if you love me, you will obey my commandments’ (John 14:15). Obedience to the commandments makes us children of God, transforms us into a state of worship; and true children of God always have peace both vertically (with heavenly Father) and horizontally, which is fellowship with our brethren.

Are you my beloved readers suffering from generational sins which you may or may not be aware of? Now is the time to repent and return to our Lord Jesus Christ (1 John 1:9). No matter the gravity and age of sins, the blood of Jesus Christ will cleanse us (1 John 1:7). Let us rely on that holy and propitiating blood of Jesus Christ.

Lord Jesus, have mercy on me.

God bless you my brothers and sisters in Christ.