Topic: shaking the dust off

[wendydawn]

I'm really stuck on this scripture   Matt. 10:14   as well as the others like it (Luke 9:3-5) .. about shaking the dust off your feet . . I feel like I'm missing something in this that God wants me to apply in my own life or in my writings and I don't know what it is . . .I have been praying about it.   :-\Can anyone or everyone give me any insights into Jesus telling his disciples that?

[Tim Russ]

This was a time of delivering the message of the Messiah that Israel hoped for.  If they rejected him as Messiah then they were to be rejected.  This was to be illustrated by the knocking off of the dust.  In other words he so strongly DIDN'T want anything to do with them that even their dirt wasn't worthy to touch the bottom of their feet.

(Matthew 10:32-33 KJV)  Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. {33} But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.



Also, he sent them out without any provisions because the priests (Levites) were to be cared for by the people they ministered to.  In this case the people would prove their receiving of the disciples by providing for them.  In addition to this, it was so the disciples would see many miracles of how God was caring for them.

Later he changed the instructions on how they were to accomplish their mission to include the suffering they would be receiving.  It was their privelege to suffer with Christ since they were going to reign with him.

(Luke 22:35-38 NIV)  Then Jesus asked them, "When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?" "Nothing," they answered. {36} He said to them, "But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. {37} It is written: 'And he was numbered with the transgressors' ; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment." {38} The disciples said, "See, Lord, here are two swords." "That is enough," he replied.

It's interesting to note that this section of scripture also provides biblical support for owning weapons for the purpose of protection.

[wendydawn]

Wow I'll have to tell my husband about the weapons part since he's an NRA member.
Thanks for the info.   I think I was misunderstanding the scripture. I was relating it more to giving up on someone which is in contradiction to the Bible telling us that he wants all to come to Christ so that none should perish.  I will read over your reply tonight and pray about it and the additional scriptures and I'm sure God will let me know what he wants me to understand.

I was wondering if the shaking of the dust thing was a custom or symbolic action too?

[Tim Russ]

Somehow this post escaped my attention for three days!  Sorry about that.

I've been a member of the NRA as well.  Finances got tight one year and I let my membership slip thinking that I'd renew it the following year.  The NRA sent me hate mail.  Saying things like, "It's people like you that are causing us to lose our rights..."  I was shocked.  I believe in our right to bear arms.  I've even had gun carry permits in the past.  But I despise hate.  Their message was uncalled for and frankly it turned me off to them for life.

I'm sure the shaking the dust off the feet was symbolic of their rejection.  I'm not sure if it has any cultural significance.  I do know that when the rich young ruler chose not to follow the commands of Jesus, that Jesus turn and walked away...rejecting him.

[Ro]

For me the 'shaking the dust off' is a message to me that it is ok to walk away. 

I have been accused of trying to be Holy Ghost jr.  and trying to fix everyone.  Well, sometimes we can't do any more. 

As a matter of fact, that seems to be what this scripture is referring to when it states that they will NOT RECEIVE your words. 

It seems to also indicate that we are to be spreading the word.  The words we speak are seeds that land on either furtle ground or stony ground.  If furtle it will grow, if not it won't.   We are to tell others about the hope that lies within us and then let God do the rest.   

God does provide all that is needed but after that, ultimately it is the decision of the individual if they will accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. 

[wendydawn]

Well thanks again for the clarifications . . . I have a feeling that this scripture has possibly been on my mind not because I was missing something but maybe as a way for God preparing me for something in the future.

Tim . . .had no idea that NRA was sending out any hate mail . . that is disappointing to hear. . .There is never a need for hate mail.