Philippians 3, who are the dogs we are to be aware of? Who are the - TopicsExpress

Philippians 3, who are the dogs we are to be aware of? Who are the enemies of the cross? According to this epistle, the dogs are those of the circumcision, the mutilators of the flesh, they are also the enemies of the cross. Paul starts with beware of the dogs, the mutilation. He goes on to say if they have something to boast about in their flesh, I more so: He speaks of being a hebrew, a Pharisee, and circumcised on the eighth day, then he talks about all he gained during this time in his life he now counts as loss of the sake of the gospel, then he says be imitators of those who walk according to his example, but note those who do not but are enemies of the cross, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame. First let us looks at dogs, in psalms 22:16-18; For dogs have surrounded Me; The congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me. They pierce My hands and My feet; I can not count all My bones. They look and stare at Me. They divide My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots.... Who was it that casts lots for Jesuss clothing? Who pierced His hands and feet? Was it not the circumcision(Pharisees). Now we will go to Matthew 7:6; Do not give what is holy to the dogs, or cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.. Who are those dogs? Enemies of the gospel, wolves in sheeps clothing, who will not spare you but tear you to pieces for their own gain, they only desire to win you for boasting in their flesh, to puff themselves up, but they have no mercy for you, no love for you and would tear you to pieces. Now let us look at whose god is their belly, and their glory is in their shame, belly here in the greek is koilia meaning hollow, stomach, belly, or appetite. They try to flatter you with words, the hebrew calls it loshon meaning bad tongue, people who speak ill of others and try to form groups of gossipers saying the same things, in greek hollow(koilia), means empty inside, without significance....They feed themselves and do not feed the sheep. So, we will go to those Shepherds of Israel who feed themselves in Ezekiel 34:1-4; And the word of The Lord came to me, saying, Son of man, prophesy against the Shepherds of Israel, prophesy and say to them,Thus says The Lord God to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks? You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool; you slaughter the fatlings, but you do not feed the flock. The weak you have not strengthened, nor have you healed those who were sick, nor bound up the broken, nor brought back what was driven away, nor sought what was lost; but with force and cruelty you have ruled them. Verse 10; Thus says The Lord God: Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require My flock at their hand; I will cause them to cease feeding the sheep, and the shepherds shall feed themselves no more; for I will deliver My flock from their mouths, that they may no longer feed them. Verse 21; Because you have pushed with side and shoulder, butted all the weak ones with your horns, and scattered them abroad, therefore I will save My flock, and they shall no longer be a prey; and I will judge between sheep and sheep..... I will end this study with Romans 16:17-18; Now I urge you, brethren note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve The Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple... All these verses have to do with Pharisees, law givers, the priests and shepherds, who use the scripture to win others for their own gain and boastings of their flesh, feeding their own appetite and not the flock, but they are not true shepherds who love and feed and build up the sheep, but because of their words they cause offenses and divisions and scatter the sheep...