²⁶But He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs [domestic animals].” ²⁷And she said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.” ²⁸Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.

Jesus now helped His disciples to understand the importance of fulfilling the five unconditional promises to Israel first (such as the Abrahamic covenant, Ge 12-15).

15:26

But He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s [Israel] bread and throw it to the little dogs [Gentiles].”

“Children’s bread” here is Jesus’ ministry to Israel. It was not good for Jesus to change His mission from Israel to Gentiles (dogs) at this time. This woman was a Gentile. The Phoenician woman did not want Jesus to change His ministry from Israel to the Gentiles. Her desire was simply to receive a portion (crumbs of bread) of the blessing to Israel.

15:27

And she said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.”

The woman’s reply demonstrated humility; she took the place of a little dog. She made no claim to Israel’s promises.

15:28

Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.”

Jesus healed the woman’s daughter because of her “great” faith. Her faith was great because of her persistence in believing Jesus. Both people of “great” faith were Gentiles—the Roman centurion (8:5-13) and this Phoenician woman.

And her daughter was healed from that very hour.

Jesus healed the daughter instantly.

PRINCIPLE:

God uses trial in our lives to build our faith.

APPLICATION:

Faith that believes when everything is against it is great faith. God uses trial to build strong faith. He did this in the life of Abraham.

He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God. (Ro 4:20)