| THE CAMEL Matt. 23:24 |
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| Livestock in bible times were the measure of personal wealth. The camel is meantioned several times in this connection in the Old Testament. It was the largest of all the domestic animals of the Near East. As such our Lord is drawing a comparison of the hypocrisy and subsequent foolishness of the Pharisees. He used the smallest insece, the gnat, and the largest of the domestic animals, the camel. In their zeal for the traditoin of men, the Pharisees "straing at a gnat, and swallow a camel." This comparison sets the stage for that which the camel is consistently associated with in the Scriptures -- obsticles! Can you imagine anyone swallowing a camel?? I. Obsticle of Perdition - That is Hindrance to Salvation Read Mark 10:17-27 as well as Matt. 19 and Luke 18. The whole point of the incident recorded in these passages is that th eriches of the young man were of greater importance to him than th eeternal life he sought. The word "needle" in vs. 25 of Mark 10 would preclude this expression being interpreted as it has in recent years as referring to a door within a gate. A literal needle is in view, an obvious impossibility with men but fortunately not with God. Many are the "camels" which would keep men from Christ. II. Obstacle of Prevention - That is Hindrance to Separation In Gen. 31 Jacob had fled from Leban. Rachel had stolen her father's household gods and hidden them in the camel furniture (probably a saddle which was hollow within). In so doing she was hodling on to her old life before conversion. It was four chapters later that Jacob got rid of these gods. In the intervening time Dina, his daughter, was assulted. His sons dissembled and then slaughtered the Shechemites. One wonders if this would have happened if the separation from the old life had been more complete. This is the whole point of Rom. 6:1-14. III. Obstacle of Ambition - That is Hindrance to Sanctification Read Matt. 3:1-4 and Mark 1:6. John the baptist appears on th escene of the New Testament in th espirit and power of Elijah. Elijah was marked by a strange appearance and was most likely a Nazarite. (See 2 Kings 5;8) John himself likely a Nazarite. His garment was of camels hair (described as a "rough garment" in Zech. 13:4). It was not a woven coat but a partially tanned skin with the hair hanging. This along with John's diet emphasizes the reproach of being a Nazarite and in so doing in pictorial form emphasizes the reproach of being set aside to God in sanctification. Sanctification strikes at the very heart of human ambition and pride. Many are the hindrances to total surrender to Jesus Christ. IV. Obstacle of Opposition - Hindrance to Service Read Gen. 24:10-14 & 17-20. Can you imagine how much water ten thirsty camels can drink when their water must be hand drawn? No where will you ever find even the suggestion in the bible that service is supposed to be easy. Gideon went out after a people whose "camels were withough number." (Judges 6:5 and 7:12). Many are the hindrances to faithful service. The challenge is great but the grace is sufficient. It should be borne in mind that camels are one of the toughest and most enduring of all animals and that at times it can be extremely stubborn. So are the obstacles! |
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