Gnats…or Camels?

From the Desk of Cheryl Hauer

Have you ever given much thought to Yeshua’s rather cryptic statement in Matt 23:23-24 about straining gnats and swallowing camels? I mean in terms of personal application.

We all understand what he was trying to convey to that group of Pharisees, right? They were hypocrites, fixating on numerous minor aspects of Jewish law while neglecting the more significant matters of that same law, such as justice, mercy, and faithfulness. We’ve all heard the sermons admonishing us to reject the bondage of the law, represented by the gnats, and embrace instead the “weighty stuff” represented by the camels.

Straining gnats was actually a common practice in ancient Israel, as those pesky little bugs often found their way into food, particularly wine, a staple beverage at every meal. Since gnats were considered unclean, their presence rendered the wine undrinkable, making it necessary to strain them out to restore the wine for drinking. However, the camel was also listed among the Torah’s unclean animals. "You blind guides," Yeshua said. How foolish it is to spend so much time eliminating tiny bits of “uncleanness” while at the same time swallowing an entire camel’s worth.

But what did He really mean? The “gnat” example Yeshua uses is tithing, specifically that of agricultural products, like herbs.  Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy all provide clear instructions for that tithe. And He was actually quoting the prophet Micah when he listed the weightier matters: “He has told you, O man, what is good and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” Was He actually encouraging God’s people to disregard the Torah? Can’t be.

Of course, the answer lies in the last sentence of verse 23: “You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.” Certainly, the children of Israel were to follow Torah, but when they were so focused on observing the intricacies of the law that it caused them to forget the heart of God, their very attempts at purity defiled them. And the opposite would have been true as well. A life of faithfulness encompassed both.

So, I think our personal application is pretty clear. Our walk with the Lord should incorporate joyful adherence to the commandments while displaying the same mercy and care for others that God has extended to us. “If you love me,” Yeshua said, “you will keep my commandments.” Did He say make sure you sprinkle or dunk? Only worship on Saturday or Sunday? Make sure you are a willing servant to everyone at church and then it’s okay to yell at your wife when you get home? Sometimes, we forget the weightier matters. But we can also focus on the “freedom” that we have in Yeshua until it makes its way from liberty to presumption. Our freedom really lies in our constant commitment to pay attention to the details because the joy of the Lord constrains us to do so.

Blessings and Shalom,

Issachar Community