From Jim McGuiggan... Matthew 15:21-28: Not only a God of the hills

Matthew 15:21-28: Not only a God of the hills

In ancient times the nations thought their gods were limited to certain areas. Israel defeated Syria repeatedly in battle and the Syrians construed that Israel’s God was “a god of the hills.” So they thought if they could pitch the future battles on flat ground that they’d have more success against Israel. See 1 Kings 20:23-28. Naaman a famous general thought Israel’s God must be worshiped on Israel’s land so he carried some soil back to his home from Israel to build an altar to worship him. See 2 Kings 5:17-18. This view of limited divine power established itself in Israel also so they made alliances with other nations and worshiped their gods on models of their altars—Yahweh was limited, don’t you see. See Exodus 32:1-4 and 1 Kings 16:10-16. 

It wasn’t clear to all that there was only one true God and that his power extended over all. It wasn’t clear that there was only one world spirit that expressed itself in various shapes and forms throughout the entire earth and that if God reigned over it anywhere he reigned over it everywhere. 

When the reign of God finally and fully manifested itself on earth in the Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth, God made havoc of satanic structures and accomplishments. His reign showed itself within the borders of Israel at first and then spread to the rest of the earth. In the young Messiah God entered into the long-remembered centre of licentious Baal worship, Tyre and Sidon (Matthew 15:21-28) and cast out the spirit of the unclean and oppression and pain. The “strong man’s” goods were being spoiled by someone stronger and he was doing it not only in Israel—he was doing it anywhere the satanic power showed itself. 

This Lord of royal power was claiming every square foot of room in the entire universe and he was doing it in favour of the oppressed of all nations. He’s still doing it and we know he will make his own already complete victory the experience of all who are embraced in his redeeming work. This we know for he has promised and he has underscored that promise in the lives of little Canaanite mothers. 

Believe it! 

©2004 Jim McGuiggan. All materials are free to be copied and used as long as money is not being made.

Many thanks to brother Ed Healy, for allowing me to post from his website, the abiding word.com.