The Woman of Canaan

Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying. Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying. Send her away; for she crielh after UB. But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. But he answered, and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread and to cast it to dogs. And she said. Truth, Lord; yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table. Then Jesus answered and said unto her, 0 woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

Matthew, xv. 21-28.

Let US consider this petitioner fiVe ways: —

I. As AN UNLIKELY SUPPLIANT.
II. As AN AFFLICTED SUPPLIANT.

III. As AN UNFORTUNATE SUPPLIANT.

IV. As A SUCCESSFUL SUPPLIANT.
V. As AN INSTRUCTIVE SUPPLIANT.

“Consider what I say, and the Lord give you understanding in all things.” — Amen.

I. View her as an unlikely suppliant.

For who was this woman? She was not a Jew, but a Gentile; an “alien from the commonwealth of Israel, a stranger from the covenant of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world.” She was descended from one of the wretched nations whom God had doomed to destruction, and whose remnants were to be as thorns and goads in the sides of the people who had criminally suffered them to escape. They were now serving idols, and were in darkness and the region of the shadow of death.

But, to the disgrace of the Jews, who, when the Messiah “came to his own, his own received him not;” when they despised and rejected him, this poor Canaanite is found at his feet, adoring him and supplicating mercy and help.

On a similar occasion, when a Roman centurion addressed him on behalf of his servant, dispensing with his bodily presence as not necessary to the cure, and trusting simply in the ef&cacy of his word, Jesus “said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I jjave not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.”

Thus, “many that are first shall be last, and the last first.” While the hoary head, though often reproved, has gone on still in his trespasses; children in the temple have cried, “Hosanna to the Son of David, blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord;” and “out of the mouth of babes and sucklings he perfecteth praise.” While some, whose amiable and moral character seemed to bring them near the kingdom of Heaven, have failed of the grace of God, publicans and harlots have obtained mercy. While those who have had distinguished religious privileges, have neglected the great salvation, persons destitute of the means of grace have felt after the Lord and found Hiin. The oftspriug of godly parents have sinned away all the advantages of a pious education; but the sons of the stranger have joined themselves to the Lord, and had “a name and a place in his house better than that of sons and of daughters.” “In that hour, Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.” “Ye see your calling, brethren,” says Paul, “how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called; but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: that no flesh should glory in his presence.”

11. She was an afflicted suppliant.

“Afflictions,” says an old writer, “are like files; they serve to give an edge to our devotions: or they resemble the counsellors of Benhadad, they send us, with ’ ropes upon our necks,’ to the merciful King of Israel.”

In prosperity, God invites us to himself by a profusion of favors; in adversity, he leaves us no choice. Then, we have no other arm to lean upon, no other helper to implore. Then, turning away from creatures, we look up and say, “Now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.”

What brought Imck the prodigal to his father’s house? — famine. “What led Manasseh to seek the Lord God of his father? — degradation, imprisonment, and fetters. What said David himself? — “It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes. Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.” What was it that brought this woman to Christ? — But for her affliction she would have remained at home, and made no inquiries after him. This was the case with her neighbors. It is the case with thousands now. “Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God.”

But what was her affliction? — It was not personal, but relative; yet who need be told that relative sufferings often even exceed personal? As the connections of life yield many springs of pleasure, so they also open many sources of pain. Thej are our possessions, that render us susceptible of losses; and according to our affections are our keenest anxieties, and fears, and sorrows. O how strong is parental affection! How much more so is maternal! To a mother, a child is endeared by feelings peculiar to herself; by a law of nature and providence, she and her offspring are one.

What was her daughter’s condition? However the doctrine of what is called ^’possession “be explained, the expression here employed, “grievously vexed with a devil,” can signify nothing less than a state of dreadful calamity and fearful jeopardy. Who, therefore, can imagine this poor mother’s affliction, to see her own beloved daughter in a state of suffering worse than death? What wonder she hastens to the Saviour, and. pleads for her daughter’s deliverance as a mercy to herself. “Have mercy on nie O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.”

III. She was an importunate suppliant.

To judge of this, it is only necessary to observe the various difficulties and repulses she had to encounter in her application.

The first of these arose from our Lord’s silence. “He answered her not a word.” How little did this accord with the reports she had heard of him, and what a shock must it have been to the hope she had founded on them! It seemed to imply nothing less than perfect unconcern and indifference.

The second arose from the language of the disciples. “His disciples came and besought him’, saying. Send her away, for she crieth after us.” We can hardly suppose the disciples were so unkind as to wish her to be dismissed without relief But it is obvious they were too little alive to the case of the agonized pleader, and too much concerned for their own ease; or they were carried away by a mistaken regard for the Saviour’s freedom from annoyance. “How long, O Lord, shall we be assailed, and thou interrupted and troubled, by this loud and ceaseless clamor?” It is well, in some of our concerns, that we have not to deal with men, even with good men. How liable? are they to mistake. ‘How impatient are they, often, in their feelings. How severely do they treat our infirmities. Ho-w little can they teach, in our doubts and fears, ‘as we are able to bear it. ‘How rarely does kindness adorn their carriage, or tenderness grace their charity.

“Let me fall into the hand of the Lord, for his mercies are great; and let me not fall into the hand of man,” for “the best of men are but men at the best.”

In answering the disciples, the woman must have heard him; and this was the third discouragement. “He answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” This repulse seemed the entire exclusion of her suit. The case was this. Though the Messiah was to be a light to lighten the Gentiles, as well as the glorj of his people Israel, his time was not yet come. The gospel, as a dispensation, did not properly commence till the Saviour’s death. Then the vail of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; then the middle wall of partition betwixt Jews and Grentiles was thrown down, and both were made one; then the commission ran, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” But before this, when he sent forth the twelve apostles, and the seventy disciples, he had said, “Go not in the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not.” As to his personal labors, he was the minister of the circumcision, and the Jews only were the immediate objects of his mission; and as this Canaanite was not one of them, he seems to intimate that she was not within the bounds of his office.

We are afraid the disciples were rather pleased ^7ith this answer, as it fell in witji their Jewish prejudices. They, therefore, said nothing more; and probably thought she would not. She, however, was too much interested, and too much in earnest, to cease crying. “Then came she and worshipped him, sa3dng. Lord, help me.”

This drew forth the last and greatest discouragement. “He answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs.” Here was not onlj refusal, but reflection; not only exclusion, but insult. Dog was a com.mon name of odium and reproach. It was the term by which the Jews, to whom pertained the adoption, and who considered themselves as the children of the covenant, designated the poor Gentiles, as outcasts, contemptible, and unclean. Nothing could so well express the vileness of a sacrifice as “cutting off a dog’s neck;” and Hazael could think of no epithet to express his abhorrence of his foretold atrocity so forcible as this, “What! is thy servant a dog, that he should do this thing?”

But was this the language of the Son of God? Are these some of the gracious words which were said to proceed out of his mouth? How many, upon hearing this, would have returned in bitter sadness, and have broken forth in such exclamations as these ,* — “0 that I had stayed at home, and never exposed myself to such merciless treatment! Was I not afflicted enough before, in the pitiable condition of my poor child? I am a woman, a mother, a widowed mother; and if there be nothing worthy in the sufferer, there is always something sacred in grief. If I am not one of the favored nation, I am one of the human race. K I cannot excite pity, it is hard to be treated with scorn and contempt.”

But nothing of all this is sufficient to turn her away. Yea, she even takes advantage from her trial. She turns objection into argument, and derives hope from discouragement itself. How ingenious is her reply —” Thou callest me a dog. I deserve to bear the name, and only plead for a dog’s treatment. I aspire not to sit at thy table, but forbid me not to creep under it. If the children are sated and wasteful, let me gather up what they neither want nor desire, and which will soon be swept away. I shall rob no one; and what I beg is no more to thy bounty than a crumb to a royal feast. But O, what will it he to me? Speak but the word, and my daughter shall be healed.’/

lY, She was a successful suppliant.

The Saviour can withstand and withhold no longer. He complies with her application; yea, and does more. “Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.”

And what was this faith of hers? She could hardly have believed in his divinity. This, at present, was only revealed obscurely, and derived much from inference; but she believed in his Messiahship; she believed that he was the Son of David; she believed the truth of his miracles of which she had heard; she believed in his ability to heal her daughter; and she also believed that he was inclined to answer her, notwithstanding his apparent inattention and severity. Some ‘who came to him in the days of his flesh questioned his power, and others his willingness to succor them; but this woman, without anything particularly to rely upon, and under the most trying discouragements, hoped and trusted in both.

THE wo:j:an of canaan, 127

And this shows us wherein the greatness of faith so much consists. It is in a readiness to believe; it is to rely on God’s promises, when his doings seem rather to oppose than to coofirm them; it is to receive the kingdom of God as a little child receives the declarations of his father; it is, however pressed by difficulties, never to ask “How can these things be?”

We see this illustrated in Abraham, the father of the faithful, and the grand example of faith. “By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed: and he went out, not knowing whither he went.” “Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken. So shall thy seed be.” “He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.”

All faith is precious, precious even when it is only as a grain of mustard seed; but great faith is to be highly estimated, and sought after. You will continually need it, especially in every dark day, and under every frowning dispensation. It “is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” It can read God’s short-hand. It can see a smiling face, behind a frowning providence. It can understand all mysteries. It can remove mountains. “All things are possible to him that believeth.”

Faith, mighty faith the pronuse sees,

Relies on th:it alone;
Laughs at impossibilities,

And sav8, It hall bo done.

No wonder, therefore, the Saviour admires and extols the faith of this woman for its greatness, and ascribes everything to its influence. Other quahties were discernible in her, but they all grew out of her faith; faith was the root, all besides was only and wholly produce. This was the principle of her humility, of her diligence, of her zeal, of her perseverance. Nothing else could have made her steadfast and immovable, and determined not to let him go unless he blessed her.

And as the greatness of her faith appeared before the Saviour had pronounced in her favor, so it showed itself after her receiving the promise. She does not desire him to go with her to her home, as the nobleman did; she does not deem his presence necessary to his agency; his word was enough, and she asks for nothiig to confirm it. She goes home, therefore, full of expectation. And was she disappointed? She found her dearest wish accomjolished; and her house was filled with the voice of rejoicing and salvation. O what endearings and embracings were there! O what adorations of her deliverer and benefactor! O what inquiries, what they should render, and how show forth his praise? — For “her daughter was made whole from that very hour.”

V. She was an instructive suppliant.

There are two lessons, in particular, which she teaches us.

1st, That in our applications to Christ we may be sorely exercised. And, perhaps, I am addressing some, whose experience, in no small degree, resembles the case we have reviewed. Did the Saviour answer her not a word? And you are saying, “I had heard much of his name, and I felt my need of him. At length, I went and fell at his feet; and there I am now. I wait for him more than they that watch for the morning, but I see no break of day. I pray, but I am not heard. I cry, Lord, ‘Say unto my soul, I am thy salvation. Show me a token for good;’ and one word of his would scatter all my fears. But he shutteth out my prayers.”

Did the disciples beseech him, saying, “send her away, for she crieth after us”? And, perhaps, you are discouraged by those who ought to comfort you. They seem wanting in sympathy and tenderness. They are prepossessed against you, as selfish in your motives, or insincere in your pretensions. They puzzle you with hard doctrines. They question you in a way that cuts you to the heart; and they make you suspect that the root of the matter is not in you, by’ boasting in your presence their own assurances and raptures.

Did he say-, “I am not sent but to the lost sheep of the house of Israel”? And, perhaps, you are saying,” I see him receiving and welcoming others to the blessings of his great salvation, but I find I have no title to any of his favors. I have neither part nor lot in the matter.’’

Did he say, “It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs”? And, perhaps, you are saying, “He seems not only to deny my claim, but to aggravate my distress.” He pronounces upon me the threatenings of the law, rouses the accusations of conscience, and increases the sense of my guilt and vileness. I fear that my case is hopeless, and that I shall have my portion at the last, with hypocrites and unbelievers, “for without are dogs.”

And, as in the case before us, you may also have external afflictions, as well as inward griefs; and “fightings without” may accompany “fears within;” and you may write “all these things are against me,” and say, “my wound is incurable.” Such an experience is greatly trying, yet it should not discourage you. It is not singular. Many have trodden the same path, and have known the same heart’s bitterness. It is, therefore, a token for good; and should be viewed as a waymark, instead of a stumbling-. stone.

And see the men of the world, who wish to rise to power, wealth, or honor. Do they meet with no dif&culties and obstacles in their course? Do they not rise early and sit up late, and often eat the bread of sorrow? What crosses do they take up? To what toils do they submit? What repulses, what mortifications, do they endure? And for what? They run for a corruptible crown, but you for an incorruptible. They also are never sure of success, but often labor in vain, and are ashamed of their hope; but you run not uncertainly; you fight not as one that beateth the air; you may sow in tears, but you are sure to reap in joy. “He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.”

2dly She teaches us that sincere and earnest prayer, however tried, shall at last succeed. These rebukes and delays are not refusals. The Lord waits that he may be gracious, and “blessed are all they that wait upon him.” There is an order in the operations of Providence and Grace, and everything is beautiful in his time. The Lord has reasons for all his dealings with his people. He regards the honor of his own name, which never appears so glorious as amidst creature despondencies. He regards also their own welfare. He hereby exercises their faith and patience; quickens their holy longings; endears the blessing; and makes it, when it comes, a tree of life. Do not, therefore, in the meanwhile say, there is no hope. K he has drawn you to his feet, he will not suffer you to perish there, or drive you away unsupplied. Poor trembling soul, thy prayer is heard, though not yet answered! But it will be answered, it must be answered in due time; for he “never said to the seed of Jacob, seek ye me in vain.” Read the gospel, and see if he ever refused a suppliant that cried to him for mercy and help. The case of this woman looks, at first, the most disconsolate of any; yet we soon ‘“see the end of the Lord,” and find that he “is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.” View the picture again and again; and, if you can see a resemblance of yourself, “wait on the Lord; be of good courage, j and he shall strengthen thine heart; wait, I say, on the Lord.”

Let me conclude, therefore, by admonishing you to follow this interesting example. For why is it recorded; and recorded with such minuteness? Is it only to amuse the mind, or gratify curiosity, or draw forth admiration? No I but to excite and encourage you to judge properly of the Saviour, and induce you also to look to him in every time of need.

In such a case as this, lie comes forth and shows himself as the gracious and almighty friend and helper of man; and if the display does not lead you to apply to him, it fails of its design; for “these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that, believing, ye might have life through his name.” “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we, through patience and comfort of the Scriptures, might have hope.”

Did this poor woman so readily apply to him? and will you constrain him to say, “Ye will not come unto me that ye might have life”? Say not, “O! were he on earth, I would instantly repair to him; but he is no more in the world, that I might commit my case to him.” For though he is no more in the world visibly and corporeally, he is here really and spiritually; and if you seek him, he will be found of you, and say, “Here I am.”

Some say, “But I know not how to pray” What is prayer but the desire of the soul to the Lord, however expressed? What was the prayer of this petititioner? Son of David, have mercy upon me! Lord, help me! Refuse me not a crumb of thy children’s bread. Yet this prevailed; and he said, “Be it unto thee even as thou wilt.”

Again you say, “But will he accept me now? I have no other resource, apid I go to him, driven by necessity rather than choice.” Has he not said, “Him that cometh unto me, I will in nowise cast out;” and “Whoso asketh receiveth, and whoso seeketh findeth, and to him that knocketh it shall be opened”?

Go, therefore, to him, and you will find him both able and willing “to save to the uttermost.” There is in him everything you need; righteousness to justify, grace to sanctify, strength to support, consolation to comfort. In him all fulness dwells, and from his fulness you may “all receive, and grace for grace,” !Seek him then in all your exigencies, and look nowhere else for succor. He who opened the eyes of the blind can open the eyes of your understanding. He who calmed the raging deep can tranquillize a troubled conscience; for he is “the same 3’esterday, to-day, and forever.” Are you in affliction? Go to him who says, “Call upon me in the day of trouble, and I will deliver thee.” Are you in temporal straits? Call upon him who says, “They that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing.” Are you bereaved? Think of him who says, “Leave thy fatherless children, I will preserve them alive, and let thy widows trust in me.” Have you reached the evil days in which you say you have no pleasure in them? Look to him who says, “Even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made and I v,’ill bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.” Have you connections? Apply to him for them as well as for yourselves. The Throne of grace is a delightful resource of benevolence, and a mighty one too. You are unable to relieve a beloved friend or relative; but 3’ou have a helper on high; and piayer has power with God, and can prevail. Are you parents? Sin is worse than any bodily disease. Have you a child living in wickedness? Do not consider him as abandoned; contimie in the use of means, in dependence upon his Holy Spirit, Go to him who knows no diflficulties, and with whom all things are possible. “Bring him unto me.”

What shall we say to those who care for none of these things; who never pray for others or themselves? This will not be always the case; nor will it be the case long. A time is hastening on, when you will call, but he will not answer; you may seek him early, but shall not find him. “Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near.”

Sinner, hear the Saviour’s call,

He now is passing by;
He has seen thy grievous fall.

And heard thy mournful cry.
He has pardons to impart,

Grace to save thee from thy fears-,
See the love that fills his heart,

And wipe away thy tears.

Why art thou afraid to come.

And tell him all thy case?
He will not pronounce thy doom,

Nor frown thee from his face.
Wilt thou fear Emmanuel;

Wilt thou fear the Lamb of God;
Who, to save thy soul from hell,

Has shed his precious blood?

Though his majesty be great.

His mercy is no less;
Though he thy transgressions hate,

He feels fur thy distress.
By himself the Lord hath sworn.

He delights not in thy pain;
But invites thee to return.

And grace and glory gain.

Raise thy downcast eyes and see

What throngs his throne surround 1
These, though sinners once like thee,

Have lull salvation found.
Yield not then to unbelief,

While he says “There 3’et is room;”
Though of sinners thou art chief,

Since Jesus calls thee, — Come.