'Dogs'
Psalm 22:16-18 (New International Version)
16 Dogs have surrounded me;
a band of evil men has encircled me,
they have pierced my hands and my feet.
17 I can count all my bones;
people stare and gloat over me.
18 They divide my garments among them
and cast lots for my clothing.
"Dogs are men's best friends" dog-lovers say. The truth is,dogs love the company of these men and certain men love the company of these dogs for some purpose of their own.But dogs are animals. Animals always remain as animals for they cannot be changed into humans.
The word of God does say much about dogs as animals.But, what about man to be 'dogs'?
The Psalmist,King David prophesied about the cruelty of the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ, which he would face in the hands of the Jews and the Roman soldiers. King David refered to this band of evil men as 'dogs'.Why 'dogs'?
Because, they were simply not human.If you look at verses 17 and 18, you will see they lived their lives as dogs would.They only cared for themselves for they can't feel for others.Just like a dog would eat it's own puppy if there was no food left for it.
Animals are animals and dogs will remain as dogs,even if you were to raise it up in the comfort of a 'palace'.The "dog will return to it's own vomit", even with all the training you could give it.
Proverbs 26:11 (New International Version)
11 As a dog returns to its vomit,
so a fool repeats his folly.
A fool is likened to a dog, in this Proverb of King Solomon. Only a fool will keep doing the same mistakes (folly) in his life over and over again. There will be no room for repentance in his mind. even if he does for a short while, he will return to it again.These are the characteristics of the dog and the fool who is likened to it. A dog is always a dog and they cannot be made into humans.
That's why the Lord Jesus Christ said:
Matthew 7:6 (New International Version)
"Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.
The Lord Jesus was refering to the fool who would not turn away from his folly but returns to his 'own vomit'- his folly. The folly here refers to his sinful ways.He says to His servants don't 'throw' what I have given you. You can only 'give' to those who deserve it,but, if you have to 'throw', it will be to the dogs.The 'dogs' here refers to the 'fools' who will keep returning to their folly. What I have given you is valuable and holy and don't 'throw' it to people who do not know how to appreciate what is holy.For they are like the dog who will "turn and tear you to pieces" like they did to the Lord Jesus Christ on that cross at Calvary.He was prophesying about who would kill Him.Yes, the same 'dogs' King David prophesied about,1500 years earlier.
To the Syrophonecian woman, Christ our Lord said:
Mark 7:27 (New International Version)
"First let the children eat all they want," he told her, "for it is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs."
He made the difference between those who would come to him and 'eat' from Him and those who will 'eat Him'. Dogs will eat from Him but His children will 'eat Him' to be full of Him. Those who 'eat Him' wan't to be like Him. Christformation happens in them.Those who 'eat from Him' will come and 'eat' when they are 'hungry for food' that belongs to His children and go away back to their folly after that.They want all the goodness they could get from the Lord but would not turn away from their evil ways and their folly.
The apostle Paul advises us to 'watch out for these dogs' in his epistle to the Philippians.
Philippians 3:2 (New International Version)
"Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh".
He was reminding the Philippian Christians about these men who do evil by going back to their old practices that nullifies the works of Christ on the Cross. Men who pretended that they believed in God but who have their confidence in their own flesh and works and not on the Lord Jesus Christ. Men who would return to their old ways and folly, whenever they had the opportunity to.Beware of them!
Isaiah the Old Testament prophet,prophesied about these evil men who pretended to be 'defenders of the faith' but they were actually 'dogs with mighty appetites'.They would call themselves as 'Israel's watchmen' when they don't even qualify to be Israel's watch-dog.
Isaiah 56:10-12 (New International Version)
10 Israel's watchmen are blind,
they all lack knowledge;
they are all mute dogs,
they cannot bark;
they lie around and dream,
they love to sleep.
11 They are dogs with mighty appetites;
they never have enough.
They are shepherds who lack understanding;
they all turn to their own way,
each seeks his own gain.
12 "Come," each one cries, "let me get wine!
Let us drink our fill of beer!
And tomorrow will be like today,
or even far better."
From such men the Lord Jesus Christ cried out," Rescue me and my precious life from the power of the dogs" in Psalms.These 'dogs' may seem powerful now but when their day of judgment comes, there will be no mercy left for them.Let these 'dogs' enjoy themselves now but the day of reckoning is coming soon. What a fearful and and dreadful day will it be for them.
Psalm 22:20 (New International Version)
Deliver my life from the sword,
my precious life from the power of the dogs.
The days of the 'dog' terrorizing may continue but not for long. When punishment finally comes they will know exactly where they stand: "Outside!". For they don't belong "inside". In this sinful world they claim that they are are "inside" but in the coming world they will be thrown "outside". They will know it when it's their time to face this judgment eternally.
Revelation 22:15 (New International Version)
Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.
Now we know who are the 'dogs' and why they are referd to as 'dogs'.For now, let them "howl out of greed for more", "bite and defile","trample truth underfoot","kill and threaten" or just do what a dog would do "return to it's own vomit" time and time again even when warned.They might claim that they are Israel's watchmen for they even killed the Lord Jesus Christ but He came alive.
The Lord Jesus Christ is returning to this earth soon and we are patiently waitng with all endurance for that day of vengeance on the 'dogs'.For He will bring justice and righteousness to this earth.He is our only Hope.He will come!
