Strain at Gnat, Swallow Camel

1
Strain at Gnat, Swallow Camel

• Jesus spoke many famous sayings that richly add
  to our vernacular today (cp. Matt. 19 24).
• 24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and
  swallow a camel (Matt. 23).

2
Strain at Gnat, Swallow Camel

• the reference here is to the ancient custom of
  filtering wine. The gnat and the camel are in
  striking contrast to each other in size. The use
  of the camel here was obviously a hyperbole, but
  was appropriate, not only because of its great
  size, but because to the Jews it was an unclean
  animalThe Pharisees were careful to strain out
  the smallest creature, but swallowed the larger
  one. They were scrupulous about small things, but
  very careless about the more important matters
  (Manners and Customs of Bible Lands, Fred Wight,
  pg. 258).

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Strain at Gnat, Swallow Camel
4
Strain at Gnat, Swallow Camel

• Some in their meticulosity would, indeed,
  carefully filter out the small gnat (probably
  the larva stage meant) and would gulp down the
  large camel.

5
Strain at Gnat, Swallow Camel

• Submission
• Stresses obedience but ignores and lacks the
  impetus, love (Gal. 5 6).

6
Strain at Gnat, Swallow Camel
Local church

• There is only one, but they do not attend and
  support (Eph. 4 4, cp. 4 16).

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Strain at Gnat, Swallow Camel

• Head of house, but they lack sensitivity and
  filial love (Eph. 5 23, cp. 25-29).

Family structure
8
Strain at Gnat, Swallow Camel

• They would not think of consuming alcohol, but
  they work in a brewery that provides it to the
  masses (Prov. 23 31).

Abstinence
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Strain at Gnat, Swallow Camel

• Engage in anti-abortion protests, but have doctor
  member who performs abortions (Jas. 2 26, Eph.
  5 11).

Sanctity of life
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Strain at Gnat, Swallow Camel

• Prays to the Father, but does not live according
  to the gospel (Matt. 6 9, cp. I John 3 22, Gal.
  2 14).

Prayer
11
Strain at Gnat, Swallow Camel

• Jesus taught the observance of the comparatively
  smaller matters, but we must be sure to also
  perform the more weightier matters (Matt. 23
  23). Take heed not to strain out the gnat and
  end up swallowing the camel!