From Swine’s Food to Fatted Calf

Posted on February 7, 2026 by Bryan Hodge

“But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in the land, and he began to be in want. The he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything.” (Luke 15:14-16).

It is a familiar story. It is the Parable of The Prodigal Son or The Parable of the Lost Son. The purpose of this parable is obvious. We are told, “Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. And when the Pharisees and the scribes complained, saying, ‘This man receives sinners and eats with them.’ So He spoke this parable to them saying…” (Luke 15:1-3). The purpose of this parable is to explain how valuable these people are to God and why they should be valued by others.

In the text above (Luke 15:14-16), the lost son is at a low point. He is working but the pay does not meet his basic needs. He is hungry. He is willing to eat the pods that he feeds to the swine. This is thought to be the pods of the carob or locust tree. It is edible but not choice food. It “is used for feeding swine and even for food by the lower classes” (A.T. Robertson, Robertson’s Word Pictures, studylight.org).

Not everyone in sin hits such a low point in this life. However, some do. It has been said, “Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay.” There is a pay day someday (Galatians 6:7-8).

“And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this my son was lost and is found.” (Luke 15:20-34).

What a welcome home! (1) He was dressed in the best robe. “The custom of that day involved robes. When you visited a man, he had a closet of robes. He would wash your feet, dirtied by travel, and would welcome you as a friend by the presentation or a robe. But in the houses of yesteryear there was, significantly, a best robe. This robe is the symbol of the highest honor” (Charles B. Hodge Jr., Will God Run, p. 51). (2) He had a ring put on his hand. “The ring is the symbol of restored wealth, power, authority, and position. The father received him as a son” (ibid, p. 50). (3) He had sandals put on his feet. “To be shoeless was the sign of an orphan” (ibid). Others have suggested that servants were sometimes without footwear (J.W. McGarvey, The Fourfold Gospel, p. 503). (4) The fatted calf was served and they feasted. This was not an everyday meal. This was a very special occasion. [Note: While the exact significance of the items mentioned may be uncertain and disputed, there are some things which are certain and beyond dispute. The father was welcoming his son. He was glad to have him home. He rejoiced in his return.]

If you have left the Father for a far-country, and are ready to come back home, He will welcome you home. He loves you.

“I’ve wandered far away from God, now I’m coming home; the paths of sin too long I’ve trod, Lord, I’m coming home… I’m tired of sin and straying, Lord, now I’m coming home; I’ll trust Thy love, believe thy word; Lord, I’m coming home [Song: Lord, I’m Coming Home by William J. Kirkpatrick (1892)].

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Unleavened Bread and Bitter Herbs

Posted on January 31, 2026 by Bryan Hodge

“Then they shall eat the flesh on that night roasted in the fire, with unleavened bread and with bitter herbs they shall eat it.” (Exodus 12:8).

Passover

This concerns the eating of the Passover meal (pesach seder). Three items are mentioned. (1) Bitter herbs are mentioned. Why are they to be bitter? This would serve as a reminder of the bitter experience they had in Egypt (cf. Exodus 1:13-14). What were these bitter herbs? “According to the Mishnah, these particular herbs consisted of lettuce, chicory, pepperwort, endives, and dandelion” (Coy D. Roper, editor Eddie Cloer, Truth for Today Commentary, Exodus, p. 189 – ref. Mishnah Pesahim 2.6). Horseradish is also used by many Jews (Ask the Expert: What Counts as Maror? myjewishlearning.com). (2) Unleavened bread is mentioned. Why is it to be unleavened? They would depart in haste (Exodus 12:11, 39). There would be no time to leaven. This would be a reminder of how they departed (Deuteronomy 16:3). (3) A roasted lamb is mentioned. It is not to be eaten raw, and it is not to be boiled (Exodus 12:8-9). Why is it to be roasted and not boiled or prepared some other way? We are not told. Some have suggested that this is about the speed of preparation (Dennis Prager, The Rational Bible, Exodus, p. 130). Some think that this may have to do with removal of blood (ibid). Others have suggested that the stakes used in roasting formed a cross (James Burton Coffman, Exodus, p. 149 – ref. Justin Martyr). We are not told the reason. However, the eating of this meal would serve as a reminder of the Passover (Exodus 12:25-28).

The drink for this meal is not specified in the instructions for the Passover. We know that Jesus and His disciples drank of “the fruit of the vine,” i.e. grape juice (Matthew 26:27-29; Mark 14:23-25). There is an ancient Jewish tradition of drinking four cups on the Passover. Each cup is drank remembering four promises found in Exodus 6:6-7: (1) The Cup of Sanctification, “I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians”; (2) The Cup of Plagues / Deliverance, “I will rescue you from bondage”; (3) The Cup of Redemption / Blessing, “I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgment”; (4) The Cup of Praise / Hope / Acceptance, “I will take you as My people, and I will be your God.”

Lord’s Supper

Jesus used items from the Passover meal to institute the Lord’s Supper. He gave new meaning to these items. (1) He used bread. He said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” (Matthew 26:26). (2) He used the fruit of the vine. He said, “Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” (Matthew 26:27-28). He took this cup after supper (Luke 22:20; 1 Corinthians 11:25). The third and fourth cup are drank after supper in Jewish tradition. Jesus probably instituted the Lord’s Supper using the third cup, the cup of Redemption. [Some think that the drinking of it new in the Kingdom (Matthew 26:29) completes the four cups. Maybe.].

Arguments have occurred over whether, or not, the elements became the literal body and blood of Jesus. Consider these points: (1) The items used in the Passover meal were full of symbolism. It was about remembering what had happened (Deuteronomy 16:3; Exodus 12:8 cf. 1:13-14). (2) The Lord’s Supper is about remembering. Jesus said, “Do this in remembrance of Me” (1 Corinthians 11:24-25). (3) After Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper, he said, “I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s Kingdom.” (Matthew 26:29). It is still referred to as “the fruit of the vine.”

This is about remembering. The Passover meal was about remembering what was done for them (Exodus 12:25-28). May we always partake of the Lord’s Supper remembering what was done for us (1 Corinthians 11:23-26).

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Daniel Ate His Veggies

Posted on January 17, 2026 by Bryan Hodge

“Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank…So Daniel said to the steward … ‘Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then let our appearance be examined’… And at the end of ten days their features appeared better and fatter in the flesh than all of the young men who ate the portion of the king’s delicacies. Thus the steward of delicacies and wine that they were to drink, and gave them vegetables” (Daniel 1:8-16).

What was wrong with the king’s delicacies? The text does not specify. It seems likely that the food and wine was probably connected with idolatry or devotion to some god (cf. Daniel 5:1-4). It is possible that the food included unclean food, which was forbidden to Israelites (cf. Leviticus 11; Deuteronomy 14). It may have included eating blood (cf. Genesis 9:4; Leviticus 17:10-14; Deuteronomy 12:23). These last two things would not explain the wine. Were they avoiding intoxication? The first explanation offered would explain both the food and the wine.

What is remarkable is Daniel and his fellow Israelites devotion to God and determination not to defile themselves. They could have found it easy to go along. They were far from home. You’ve heard the saying, “When in Rome, do as the do.” A better way of thinking is that whether in Rome or elsewhere one should do as God would have one do. This was the thinking of Daniel and his fellow Israelites mentioned in Daniel one. They could have lost faith in God. They had been carried far away as captives in a foreign land. They had been stripped of their Hebrews names and given Babylonian names [(1) Daniel = God is my judge; Belteshazzar = Bel protects his life; (2) Hananiah = Yahweh has been gracious; Shadrach = The command of Aku; (3) Mishael = Who is what God is; Meshach = Who is what Aku is (4) Azariah = Yahweh will help; Abednego = servant of Nego. Wayne Jackson comments, “Some of the names are obscure. One thing is practically certain: each of them had the name of Israel’s God removed and replaced by a form that reflected a heathen god. The philosophy of Nebuchadnezzar seems to have been: I’ll change your name; and in so doing, redirect the object of your adoration!” (Wayne Jackson, The Prophets, p. 329)]. Furthermore, they seem to have been made eunuchs (Daniel 6:1-7, 8, 9,11, 18). Yet these young men were determined not to defile themselves. They truly believed in their God (cf. Daniel 3, 6).

The purpose of the heart determines the action. It all starts in the heart. What do you purpose in your heart to do? Faithfulness to God doesn’t just happen. It is purposed.

[Note: This text is not teaching that all should be vegetarian or vegan. Israelites and other righteous ones consumed meats and animal products including lamb, quail, eggs, milk, calf, and fish (Exodus 12:1-11, 43-48; Numbers 11:31-35; Job 6:6; Luke 11:12; Genesis 18:8; Proverbs 27:27; Isaiah 7:22; Isaiah 55:1 Luke 15:11-13; John 21:1-13, et. al.)].

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Sweeter Than Honey

Posted on January 10, 2026 by Bryan Hodge

“I have treasured the word of His mouth more than my necessary food” (Job 23:12).

“More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb” (Psalm 19:10).

“It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4 cf. Deuteronomy 8:3).

Treasure

Food is necessary to sustain life. Survivalists speak of “the rule of threes.” Man can survive about three minutes without oxygen, three days without water, and three weeks without food. Each situation and each person is different. Some have survived well beyond these threes. However, food is necessary to sustain life.

In a typical day, most of us do not go all day without food. In fact, we generally eat multiple times a day.

How much do we treasure God’s word? How often do we feed on it? This year, let us treasure it more than our necessary food.

Desire

We desire certain foods. Many desire honey. Honey provides energy. Jonathan’s “countenance brightened” after eating honey (1 Samuel 14:26-30). John the baptizer ate honey (Matthew 3:4). Honey is sweet. “The exact makeup of each honey varies somewhat, but honey is generally composed of 80% sugar (fructose and glucose)” (Honey Versus Sugar – Which is Healthier? University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, usaex.usada.edu). It is considered sweeter to the taste than table sugar. “Honey is naturally sweeter than sugar, meaning less is needed to achieve the desired level of sweetness. For example, in baking, replacing one cup of sugar with three-quarters of a cup of honey can reduce sugar content while maintaining flavor” (Honey vs. Sugar: Why Honey is the Superior Sweetener, glorybee.com). I enjoy a little honey on a peanut butter sandwich.

How much do we desire God’s word? Is it sweet to us? This year, let us have a “sweet-tooth” for the word.

Live by

God taught Israel that man does not live by bread alone (Deuteronomy 8:3). He taught them humility. He taught them to depended on Him.

Jesus understood proper priorities. Obedience to God was more important than physical food (Matthew 4:4).

By what do we live? This year, let us prioritize God’s word and live by it.

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Love Those Lentils!

Posted on January 3, 2026 by Bryan Hodge

“Now Jacob cooked a stew; and Esau came in from the field, and he was weary. And Esau said to Jacob, ‘Please feed me with that same red stew, for I am weary.’ Therefore his name was called Edom. But Jacob said, ‘Sell me your birthright as of this day.’ And Esau said, ‘Look, I am about to die; so what is this birthright to me?’ Then Jacob said, ‘Swear to me as of this day.’ So he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob. And Jacob gave Esau bread and stew of lentils; then he ate and drank, arose, and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.” (Genesis 25:29-34).

This must have been some really good stew! I say this in jest. However, to Esau this stew was worth, at the moment, his birthright.

What was this birthright? Certain privileges and responsibilities came with being the firstborn. Later, under the Law of Moses, the birthright came with a double portion of inheritance (Deuteronomy 21:15-17) [Note: Some have suggested that this double-portion was to set one up as the head of the family with the responsibility to care for the rest of the family. However, these specifics are not mentioned in Scripture].

Esau, no doubt, exaggerated when he said, “Look, I am about to die…” (Genesis 25:32). However, he was ready to trade. He was so focused on his immediate desire that he was willing to trade his future.

Many are like Esau. They are willing to trade the heavenly inheritance for their immediate desires. I may be for money, possessions, power, position, fame, a man or a woman, pleasure or some other desire.

The Bible warns us. “Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears” (Hebrews 12:14-17). Esau came to regret his choice. So will we, if we sell our birthright. It is not worth the price (Mark 8:36-37).

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Sowing and Reaping

Posted on December 27, 2025 by Bryan Hodge

It is a well-known fact that what one sows is related to what one reaps. The cause (the seed sowed) produces the effect (the harvest). If you sow corn seed, then you may reap corn. If you sow wheat seed, then you may reap wheat. If you sow tares, then you may get tares. There are things that could happen that interfere with a successful harvest. However, generally speaking, one gets what he sows.

Let’s consider three passages. All three concern this principle of sowing and reaping.

1. “They sow the wind, and reap the whirlwind” (Hosea 8:7).

    Israel would reap the consequences of what they had sown. “Foolish Israel had sown ‘the wind,’ i.e. that which is without substance; in return they would reap a ‘whirlwind’- a storm suggesting the destruction that would come on them and sweep them away into Assyria” (Wayne Jackson, The Prophets, p. 378). They had been warned that idolatry would have consequences (Deuteronomy 4:25-28; 30:17-18).

    2. “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life” (Galatians 6:7-8).

    This is speaking of what controls a person. There are two ways to live. (1) One may live a life which is ruled by fleshly passions and desires (cf. Galatians 5:19-21, 24). (2) One may live a life which is led by the Spirit (cf. Galatians 5:16, 18, 22-26).

    One should not deceive himself. These lifestyles lead to two different hereafters. Living according to the flesh reaps corruption. Living according to the Spirit reaps everlasting life.

    3. “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase” (1 Corinthians 3:6).

    This passage is informative about bringing people to Christ, growing and maturing Christians, and how to grow the church. There must be planting (sowing the seed) and watering (nurturing care, continued teaching) for growth to occur. God deserves the credit for this growth. He made it possible. He put the power in the seed. David Hamrick has written, “Understand that there must be planting and watering before God gives the increase. So, we recognize that it is God who brings new life to a church. We are only privileged to play a part, but it is an important part” (David W. Hamrick, Waking the Sleeping Giant, p. 38). He provides these statistics, “Statistics show that 50% of Bible studies completed result in conversions. By studies completed, I mean those who willingly study the Bible with you through the entire course, whether it be three lessons or five or six. Therefore, if you conduct 20 complete Bible studies per year you should have 10 additions to the church. What would happen if you trained five members to conduct 10 Bible studies per year. The result would be 25 new converts each year. If there were 20 members who conducted 10 studies in a year, the result would be 100 new converts that year” (ibid, p. 121). However, Harold Taylor quotes Flavil Yeakley Jr. as saying, “The last time I surveyed the number (or percent) of members involved in personal evangelism, I found that only one percent of our members were actively involved in personal evangelism in that year – and most of them were on the church payroll… so we are averaging one lasting adult convert per year for every 160 members.” (ibid). Brethren, this should not be. The early church was very evangelistic (Acts 8:4). If we want the church to grow, we must be as well. This is the Biblical plan. There is no substitute. There is no other way! [Note, I once suggested in a church business meeting that the members practice personal evangelism, if they wanted the church to grow. A man replied, “Find another way” (in other words, we won’t do it). Brethren, there is no other way, biblically!]

    What will you and I sow in this coming year? (1) Will you sow to the flesh or to the spirit? (2) Will we sow the seed in the hearts of others and water the seed that has been sown? Or will the seed remain in the barn (cf. Haggai 2:19)?

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    Look at the Fields

    Posted on December 14, 2025 by Bryan Hodge

    “Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for the harvest!” (John 4:35).

    The Context

    Jesus had spoken with a Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well, near Sychar. She left her waterpot and went into the city and said, “Come, see a man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” (John 4:29). This caused many of the city to come to Jesus and hear for themselves (John 4:30, 39-42).

    The reference to four months until the harvest seems to be a time reference. The grain harvest occurred in about the month of April. This was probably December or January. The fields of grain were not yet ready for harvest.

    However, there was a spiritual harvest that was ready. “The fields were then ‘white already unto the harvest,’ ready now to be reaped. At that very moment, throngs of people from Sychar were streaming out to see Jesus as the result of the testimony of the Samaritan woman.” (Guy N. Woods, A Commentary on John, p. 87 The Gospel Advocate Commentary Series). One commentator speculated on the reference to white, “Multitudes of Samaritans are coming… probably they had a kind of white garment” (Adam Clake, Clarke’s Commentary, John, p. 543). It is possible that some were wearing white garments. However, this is not necessary to the meaning. The meaning is that there was at that time an opportunity to harvest souls. The white may simply refer to the white appearance of heads of grain when ready for harvest.

    I wonder if this work among the Samaritans had a lasting effect. Later, the Gospel would be proclaimed in Samaria (Acts 8).

    Application

    God’s people should lift up their eyes. They should look upon others and their needs. They should look for opportunities to sow seed. They should look for opportunities to harvest souls for the Lord.

    Some, I am afraid, never look upon others this way. Consider – (1) Some are so wrapped up in their own lives that they miss opportunities. They never even see the opportunities before them. The disciples were thinking about food, not souls (John 4:31-ff). (2) Some are hindered by prejudices. The Jews ordinarily had no dealings with the Samaritans (John 4:9). Moreover, men ordinarily did not talk with women (John 4:27).

    Are we looking for opportunities? Are we looking on souls as Jesus did? Each person we meet has a soul worth saving. Think about all the people we meet each day (the server at the restaurant; the checker at the grocery store; the teller at the bank; the person who cuts the grass; the person who cuts your hair; the people with whom you work; the classmate or roommate). Are we lifting up our eyes? Are we missing opportunities?

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    It Does Not Fade!

    Posted on November 29, 2025 by Bryan Hodge

    “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy had begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:3-4).

    God is worthy of praise. The word “blessed” (eulogetos) is an adjective which means “blessed, praised” (Vine’s). It is applied only to God in the New Testament (ibid).

    Why is God worthy of praise? (1) He has given us hope by raising Jesus from the dead (1 Peter 1:3, 13, 21; 3:15). The Christian lives in hope of eternal life (Titus 1:2). (2) He has given us an inheritance in heaven (1 Peter 1:4-5).

    Let us notice how this inheritance is described. (1) It is incorruptible (aphtharton). (a) On earth athletes once competed in Greece for a perishable (phtharton) crown. Christians seek an imperishable (aphtharton) crown (1 Corinthians 9:25). (b) On earth, moth and rust destroy and thieves break in and steal. This is not the situation in heaven (Matthew 6:19-20). (c) On earth, our bodies are corruptible (phtharton). However, we are told of incorruption (aphtharsian) to come (1 Corinthians 15:50-53).

    (2) It is undefiled (amianton). Nothing is going to soil, stain, defile, spoil or deform what awaits. “The earthly Canaan was not able to escape this defilement (Leviticus 18:27-28), but into the heavenly Canaan nothing shall ever enter to defile or make unclean (Revelation 21:27)” (Gospel Advocate Commentary Series, Guy N. Woods, A Commentary on Peter, p. 26).

    (3) It does not fade away (amaranton). The image seems to be of a flower which perpetually blooms and never loses its beauty. “The amaranth was a fabled flower whose bloom was perpetual and whose loveliness never failed. The inheritance which awaits the children of God will not deteriorate, nor will passing ages render it less desirable or attractive” (Woods, p. 27). Earthly flowers are beautiful; but they fade. What awaits in heaven lasts and will not lose its beauty.

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    The Grass Withers and The Flower Fades

    Posted on November 22, 2025 by Bryan Hodge

    “As for man, his days are like grass; as a flower of the field so he flourishes. For the wind passes over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children’s children…” (Psalm 103:15-17).

    “All flesh is grass and all its loveliness is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades, because the breath of the LORD blows upon it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever.” (Isaiah 40:6-8 cf. 1 Peter 1:24-25).

    “The rich… as a flower of the field he will pass away. For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat that it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man will fade away in his pursuits.” (James 1:10-11).

    These passages are closely related. Let us consider…

    Man’s Life

    Man’s life on earth is brief. It is compared to grass and flowers. Guy N. Woods suggests that, “The ‘grass’ of the passage (choroton) is from a comprehensive term for vegetation; and ‘the flower of the grass’ (anthos) does not refer to the bloom but to wildflowers which often grow up in the midst of the grass” (Gospel Advocate, A Commentary on James by Guy N. Woods, p. 50). Green vegetation and seasonal wildflowers do not last long in hot dry climates. Consider the roadsides of Texas. Green grass, bluebonnets and Indian Paintbrush may appear in the spring but fade away in the summer heat. Life is brief. Each man has his season on earth. Twice in the book of James we are reminded of the brevity of life (James 1:10-11; 4:13-14). Even a rich man’s life will not last on earth (James 1:10-11).

    Furthermore, God can also bring a man’s life to a close, if He chooses. “The grass withers, the flower fades, because the breath of the LORD blows upon it” (Isaiah 40:7). Man is weak before God.

    God’s Mercy

    “But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children’s children to such as keep His covenant, and to those who remember His commandments to do them” (Psalm 103:17-18). These words teach: (1) God is enduring. He does not come to an end a man’s earthly life does. (2) It matters how one lives. This is true in every generation. He has “mercy” (NKJV), “loving kindness” (NASB), or “steadfast love” (ESV) on those who fear and obey Him. The Hebrew word “chesed” is difficult to translate. It carries the idea of “loyal love” or “the benefits of being in a covenant relationship.”

    God’s Word

    “But the word of our God stands forever” (Isaiah 40:8). Men come and go. However, God’s word endures. Homer Hailey commented, “What a glorious claim and assurance!… What a sustaining assurance it is to know that there is something permanent, something enduring! The character of God, the word of God, and the promises of God shall never fail but shall endure eternally” (Hailey, A Commentary on Isaiah, p. 333).

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    By Their Fruits

    Posted on November 15, 2025 by Bryan Hodge

    “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do me gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore, by their fruits you will know them.” (Matthew 7:15-20).

    A false teacher may disguise himself. He may look harmless (cf. Matthew 23:25-28; 2 Corinthians 11:14). He may, to the undiscerning, look like and sound like one who is a sheep (a follower of the Shepherd).

    How can one identify a false teacher? Jesus says that one may know “by their fruits.” As one can know whether a plant is a grapevine or thornbush by what is produced; and as one can know whether a plant is a fig tree or thistle by what is produced; even so, one can know the kind of teacher one is by observing the fruits produced. (Note, in the text “good” and “bad” does not mean varying qualities of the same type of fruit. This is speaking of different types of fruit, for example – grapes and thornbushes, figs and thistles.)

    What does Jesus mean “by their fruits”? The following options have been suggested. (1) Some believe that this refers to the personal conduct of their lives. Fruit may refer to conduct (e.g. Matthew 3:8). (2) Some believe that this refers to their teaching. Fruit may refer to words (e.g. Matthew 12:33-37). (3) Some have suggested that this refers to the effect of their teaching (e.g. Matthew 23:15). (4) Some have suggested that the meaning is found in a combination of these options.

    While there may be some value in observing all of these, it seems to me that option two best fits the context. Consider this comment by Thomas B. Warren, “In the view of this author, in the light of the fact that Jesus had just warned against false prophets (7:15), Jesus meant that false teachers can be identified by the doctrines which they teach. Many false teachers live good moral lives. They seem to be pious, to love God, to love their families, to love their neighbors, etc. Yet they teach false doctrine. It is because some false teachers have so many attributes which might well be praised that they can so easily deceive so many people” (Thomas Warren, Matthew 7, The Spiritual Sword Lectureship: The Book of Matthew, p. 269, editors Garland Elkins and Thomas B. Warren). If this is the meaning, then this would be a reminder of what had been taught in the Law and the Prophets (Deuteronomy 13:1-5; 18:20-22; Isaiah 8:20). Notice the test: (1) Does he teach another god? (2) Does he teach something which contradicts God’s word? (Note, it does not matter if he has provided some kind of sign or not. If it contradicts God’s word, then it is to be rejected). (3) Does he give prophecy which does not come to pass? (Note, even one false prophecy discredits the person as a prophet of God). These were ways that God told Israel that they could test a prophet.

    We are to be discerning (1 John 4:1; Acts 17:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:21). We are to inspect the fruit.

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