The Dirty Fleece
by
Chris Cumming
“And it came to pass, when Jesus
had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: For he
taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.”
Those are the words of the gospel account of Matthew, chapter 7 and verse 28 and
29. They come at the end of what is called the, “Sermon on the Mount” which is
covered in Matthew, chapters 5 through 7.
It is said that last impressions are lasting impressions. I find it interesting
that Jesus ended the discourse with a prophecy for us today and what we would
see in the end time.
Let us read it together:
Matthew 7:15
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly
they are ravening wolves.
What is a false prophet? What is sheep’s clothing? What aspects of a false
prophet or minister could be false and therefore sheep’s clothing? What are,
“ravening wolves”? What are these individuals really like? How can we tell a
sheep from a wolf? How can we spot a dirty fleece from a clean one?
Today I am going to answer these questions as I encourage all of us to…
…Flee the wolves!”
Let us immerse ourselves into this scripture, Matthew 7:15 and these words and
phrases contained therein.
False prophets - The word prophet
originally means one who foretells future events. As prophets, however, were
commonly regarded as public instructors on the subject of religion, the word
came to denote all who were religious teachers. In this sense it is probably
used here. A false prophet is a teacher of incorrect doctrine, or one falsely
and unjustly laying claims to divine inspiration. It probably had reference to
the false teachers then among the Jews.
Who come in sheep’s clothing - The sheep
is an emblem of innocence, sincerity, and harmlessness. To come in sheep’s
clothing is to assume the appearance of sanctity and innocence, when the heart
is evil.
Ravening wolves - Rapacious; voraciously
devouring; hungry even to rage. Applied to the false teachers, it means that
they assumed the appearance of holiness in order that they might the more
readily get the property of the people. They were full of extortion and excess.
~Barnes Notes
Let us look at another commentary…
Matthew 7:15
Beware of false prophets - By false
prophets we are to understand teachers of erroneous doctrines, who come
professing a commission from God, but whose aim is not to bring the heavenly
treasure to the people, but rather to rob them of their earthly good. Teachers
who preach for hire, having no motive to enter into the ministry but to get a
living, as it is ominously called by some, however they may bear the garb and
appearance of the innocent useful sheep, the true pastors commissioned by the
Lord Jesus, or to whatever name, class or party they may belong, are, in the
sight of the heart-searching God, no other than ravenous wolves, whose design is
to feed themselves with the fat, and clothe themselves with the fleece, and thus
ruin, instead of save, the flock. ~Adam Clarke
Let us refer to another commentary…
Matthew 7:15
Beware of false
prophets - Or false teachers; for not such who pretended to foretell
things to come, but such who set up themselves to be teachers of others, are
here meant; see 2 Peter 2:1. It may be queried, whether our Lord has not respect
to the Scribes and Pharisees, who sat in Moses's chair, and taught, for
doctrines, the commandments of men? and of whose doctrines he elsewhere bids men
beware: for whatever plausible pretences for holiness and righteousness might
appear in them, they were repugnant to the word of God, and destructive to the
souls of men; such as their doctrines of free will, justification by the works
of the law, the traditions of the elders, etc. since it follows,
which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly
are ravenous wolves; for these "loved to go in long clothing", Mark
12:38.
Quoted verses from above:
2 Peter 2:1
But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be
false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even
denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
Mark 12:38
And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go
in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces,
Continuing in the commentary
in a garment which reached to the feet, and was made of the wool of sheep. The
Babylonish garment Achan saw and stole, was, a garment called "melotes": which
is the very Greek word the author of the Epistle to the Hebrews uses for sheep
skins, persecuted saints wandered about in, Hebrews 11:37 and the gloss upon the
place, in the Talmud referred to, says, that this was, "a talith", or "garment
of pure wool"; and Jarchi says, that "it was the way of deceivers, and profane
men, to cover themselves, "with their talith", or long garment, "as if they were
righteous men", that persons might receive their lies.''
All which agrees very well with the Pharisees, who would have been thought to
have been holy and righteous, humble, modest, and self-denying men; when they
were inwardly full of hypocrisy and iniquity, of rapine, oppression, and
covetousness; and, under a pretence of religion, "devoured widows' houses".
Note: The word, "rapine" means the violent
seizure and carrying off of another's property; plunder.
Quoted verse from above:
Hebrews 11:37
They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the
sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute,
afflicted, tormented;
Continuing in the commentary...
Though, it seems, by what follows, that Christ has respect, at least also, to
such, who bore his name, and came in his name, though not sent by him, and
called him Lord, and prophesied, and cast out devils, and did many wonderful
works in his name; who, that they might get the good will and affections of the
people, clothed themselves, not in garments made of sheep's wool, but in the
very skins of sheep, with the wool on them, in imitation of the true prophets,
and good men of old; pretending great humility, and self-denial, and so "wore a
rough garment to deceive", Zechariah 13:4 when they were inwardly greedy dogs,
grievous wolves, of insatiable covetousness; and, when opportunity offered,
spared not the flock to satisfy their rapacious and devouring appetites. The
Jews speak of a "wolfish humility"; like that of the wolf in the fable, which
put on a sheep skin.
"There are some men, who appear to be humble, and fear God in a deceitful and
hypocritical way, but inwardly lay wait: this humility our wise men call,
"wolfish humility".''
Such is this our Lord inveighs against, and bids his followers beware of.
Note: The word, "inveighs" means to protest
strongly or attack vehemently with words.
Verse quoted:
Zechariah 13:4
And it shall come to pass in that day, that the prophets shall be ashamed every
one of his vision, when he hath prophesied; neither shall they wear a rough
garment to deceive. ~ John Gill
One more commentary as this one is very instructive:
Note: This commentary covers in one discourse verses 15-20 but I will
only include here the commentary for verse 15. It begins with a general
discourse against false prophets and teachers and then speaks specifically to
Matthew 7:15
We have here a caution against false prophets, to take heed that we be not
deceived and imposed upon by them. Prophets are properly such as foretell things
to come; there are some mentioned in the Old Testament, who pretended to that
without warrant, and the event disproved their pretensions, as Zedekiah, 1 Kings
22:11, and another Zedekiah, Jeremiah 29:21. But prophets did also teach the
people their duty, so that false prophets here are false teachers. Christ being
a Prophet and a Teacher come from God, and designing to send abroad teachers
under him, gives warning to all to take heed of counterfeits, who, instead of
healing souls with wholesome doctrine, as they pretend, would poison them.
They are false teachers and false prophets,
1. Who produce false commissions, who pretend to have immediate warrant and
direction from God to set up for prophets, and to be divinely inspired, when
they are not so. Though their doctrine may be true, we are to beware of them as
false prophets. False apostles are those who say they are apostles, and are not
(Revelation 2:2); such are false prophets. “Take heed of those who pretend to
revelation, and admit them not without sufficient proof, lest that one absurdity
being admitted, a thousand follow.”
Quoted verse:
Revelation 2:2
I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear
them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and
are not, and hast found them liars:
2. Who preach false doctrine in those things that are essential to religion; who
teach that which is contrary to the truth as it is in Jesus, to the truth which
is accordingly to godliness. The former seems to be the proper notion of pseudo-propheta,
a false or pretending prophet, but commonly the latter falls in with it; for who
would hang out false colours, but with design, under pretence of them, the more
successfully to attack the truth. “Well, beware of them, suspect them, try them,
and when you have discovered their falsehood, avoid them, have nothing to do
with them. Stand upon your guard against this temptation, which commonly attends
the days of reformation, and the breakings out of divine light in more than
ordinary strength and splendour.” When God's work is revived, Satan and his
agents are most busy. Here is,
I. A good reason for this caution, Beware of them, for they are wolves in
sheep's clothing, Matthew 7:15.
1. We have need to be very cautious, because their pretences are very fair and
plausible, and such as will deceive us, if we be not upon our guard. They come
in sheep's clothing, in the habit of prophets, which was plain and coarse, and
unwrought; they wear a rough garment to deceive, Zechariah 13:4 [text
of this verse above]. Elijah's mantle the Septuagint calls hē
mēlotē - a sheep-skin mantle. We must take heed of being imposed upon by men's
dress and garb, as by that of the scribes, who desire to walk in long robes,
Luke 20:46. Or it may be taken figuratively; they pretend to be sheep, and
outwardly appear so innocent, harmless, meek, useful, and all that is good, as
to be excelled by none; they feign themselves to be just men, and for the sake
of their clothing are admitted among the sheep, which gives them an opportunity
of doing them a mischief ere they are aware. They and their errors are gilded
with the specious pretences of sanctity and devotion. Satan turns himself into
an angel of light, 2 Corinthians 11:13, 2 Corinthians 11:14. The enemy has horns
like a lamb (Revelation 13:11); faces of men, Revelation 9:7-8. Seducers in
language and carriage are soft as wool, Romans 16:18; Isaiah 30:10.
Quoted verses:
Luke 20:46
Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in
the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at
feasts;
2 Corinthians 11:13-14
13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into
the apostles of Christ.
14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
Revelation 13:11
And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like
a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.
Revelation 9:7-8
7 And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle; and
on their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their faces were as the
faces of men.
8 And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of
lions.
Romans 16:18
For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and
by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
Isaiah 30:10
Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right
things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:
2. Because under these pretensions their designs are very malicious and
mischievous; inwardly they are ravening wolves. Every hypocrite is a goat in
sheep's clothing; not only not a sheep, but the worst enemy the sheep has, that
comes not but to tear and devour, to scatter the sheep (John 10:12), to drive
them from God, and from one another, into crooked paths. Those that would cheat
us of any truth, and possess us with error, whatever they pretend, design
mischief to our souls. Paul calls them grievous wolves, Acts 20:29. They raven
for themselves, serve their own belly (Romans16:18--already
quoted above), make a prey of you, make a gain of you. Now since it
is so easy a thing, and withal so dangerous, to be cheated, Beware of false
prophets.
Quoted verses:
John 10:12...I am giving you verses 11-13
11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are
not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf
catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
Acts 20:29
For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among
you, not sparing the flock.
So based on our discussion thus far, what are some of the articles of sheep’s
clothing? Note: virtually all of the articles I am about to list are also true
elements of a true teacher or minister of God. This is a list of things we see
in both the false and the true minister. That’s why they call these items,
“sheep’s clothing.” What you have to determine is which fleece is clean and
which is the dirty fleece.
As you will see shortly there is one and only one way to make this
determination.
Sheep’s clothing manifests itself in the following ways.
The teacher or minister in question:
1. Is a nice guy—wholesome, friendly, outgoing, gregarious as well as meek,
humble and given to hospitality.
2. He dresses nice.
3. Gives wonderful and effective presentations in his sermons, sermonettes and
Bible studies.
4. Delivers eloquent prayers.
5. Shows great talent or gifts of leadership, charisma, and speaking ability.
6. He demonstrates great emotion, compassion, love, concern for the widow, the
fatherless and those in need. He is generous.
7. He has a good reputation.
8. Seems to be above reproach.
9. Appears to be a good father.
10. Not violent or quarrelsome, but rather gentle.
11. He is orderly, self-controlled, disciplined and sober-minded.
12. He is not a drunkard nor a lover of money.
13. He is not arrogant.
14. He is sincere, a lover of good and commands a knowledge of the Bible and the
doctrines of the church.
As you may have surmised, I took most of this list from 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1
where we find the qualifications for deacons and ministers. Doing so makes the
point; both false and true ministers appear the same. This fact has given rise
to ageless adages such as, “one cannot tell a book by its cover” and “looks can
be deceiving.” Therefore to tell the difference between a clean and a dirty
fleece, we are going to have to invoke the one test given to us by God.
Let us go back to the original verse; Matthew 7:15. The test is in the
scriptures just beyond.
Matthew 7:15-20
15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly
they are ravening wolves.
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs
of thistles?
17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree
bringeth forth evil fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring
forth good fruit.
19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the
fire.
20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Notice the commentary…
Matthew 7:15-20
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly
they are ravening wolves.
Those who enter upon the narrow way must beware of false prophets, who claim to
guide believers but really practice deception. Sheep's clothing is not to be
regarded as prophets' grab, but is an evident contrast to vicious wolves. God's
people in all ages have needed to beware of deceptive leaders (Deuteronomy 13:1;
Acts 20:29; 1 John 4:1; Revelation 13:11-14). By their fruits. The doctrines
produced by these false prophets, rather than the works they perform, since
outward appearances may not cause suspicion. The test of the prophet is his
conformity to Scripture (1 Corinthians 14:37; Deuteronomy 13:1-5). Corrupt tree.
One that is decayed, worthless, and unusable. The worthlessness of such a tree
calls for its swift removal from the orchard lest it infect the others.
~from The Wycliffe Bible Commentary
These last two quoted verses help to make Matthew 7 clear:
1 Corinthians 14:37
If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that
the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord
Deuteronomy 13:1-5
1 If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a
sign or a wonder,
2 And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying,
Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them;
3 Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of
dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your
God with all your heart and with all your soul.
4 Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his
commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him.
5 And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death; because he
hath spoken to turn you away from the LORD your God, which brought you out of
the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to thrust thee
out of the way which the LORD thy God commanded thee to walk in. So shalt thou
put the evil away from the midst of thee.
Note: The fruit of the trees is equal to the
shepherd adhering to the Word of God and the doctrines of the church. Notice the
commentary for Deuteronomy 13:1-5
Deuteronomy 13:1
If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a
sign or a wonder,
The admonition of the closing verse of the last chapter introduces a new series
of warnings intended to serve as a further safeguard against violation of these
duties. The true modes and forms of worship have been laid down: the next step
is to legislate against the authors and abettors of false ones.
Verse 1. [A prophet, or a dreamer of dreams]
Compare Numbers 12:6. The "prophet" received his revelations by vision or direct
oral communication (Numbers 24:16; 2 Samuel 7:4; 2 Corinthians 12:2); "the
dreamer of dreams" through the medium of a dream (1 Kings 3:5; Matthew 2:13).
Deuteronomy 13:2
And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he
spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known,
and let us serve them; The Lord had said, "Thou shalt have none other
gods but Me." A prophet is here supposed who invites the people "to go after
other gods." To such a one no credit is under any circumstances to be given,
even should he show signs and wonders to authenticate his doctrine. The standing
rule of faith and practice had been laid down once for all-that the people were
to hold fast. The prophet who propounded another rule could only be an impostor.
A different case is considered in Deuteronomy 18:18, etc.
Deuteronomy 13:5
And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death; because he
hath spoken to turn you away from the LORD your God, which brought you out of
the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to thrust thee
out of the way which the LORD thy God commanded thee to walk in. So shalt thou
put the evil away from the midst of thee.
The context and parallel passages (compare
Deuteronomy 17:7; Leviticus 20:2) indicate that there was to be a
regular judicial procedure, and that the manner of the execution was to be by
stoning. In this the community was to take its part in order to show its horror
at the crime, and to clear itself of complicity therein.
~from Barnes' Notes
Note: Strong admonition against those who
would seek to turn others from the established truth and doctrine of God. This
truth and doctrine are the key elements in the fruit being spoken of in Matthew
7. This is what you look for. The image of not just looking at the leaves, bark
or flowers is effective. Often, some do just that and confuse themselves and
others. We cannot judge shepherds or others by outward appearances. The fruit is
the only sure test.
The true ministers are those preaching in close
adherence to scripture. The false ministers bring in their own false
teachings.
So this sermon and the Word of God have set before you descriptions of both the
clean and the dirty fleece.
Choose the clean fleece and …
Flee the wolves!!