| |
The Dirty Fleece
printer-friendly
MP3
MP3-2020
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!!
|
|