Shibboleths ∙∙

Shibboleths ∙∙

And so the Lord says, “These people say they are mine. They honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. And their worship of me is nothing but man-made rules learned by rote.” – Isaiah 29:13

Matthew 15:1-9

1 Some Pharisees and teachers of religious law had arrived from Jerusalem to see Jesus. They asked him,
2 “Why do your disciples disobey our age-old tradition? For they ignore our tradition of ceremonial hand washing before they eat.”

3 Jesus replied, “And why do you, by your traditions, violate the direct commandments of God?”

4 “For instance, God says, ‘Honor your father and mother,’ and ‘Anyone who speaks disrespectfully of father or mother must be put to death.’”
5 “But you say it is all right for people to say to their parents, ‘Sorry, I can’t help you. For I have vowed to give to God what I would have given to you.’”
6 “In this way, you say they don’t need to honor their parents. And so you cancel the word of God for the sake of your own tradition.”
7 “You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you, for he wrote,
8 ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.
9 Their worship is a farce, for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God.’”

The Role of Shibboleths

Throughout history, societies have used shibboleths—traditions, customs, or even singular words that set one group apart from another. These serve as identifiers, much like passwords, granting acceptance or recognition within a group. Over time, the original meaning of a shibboleth often fades, evolving into customs, principles, or traditions that define a specific group or class.

Shibboleths in Culture and Religion

The movie and play Fiddler on the Roof highlights Jewish shibboleths. Tevye explains:
“Because of our traditions, we’ve kept our balance for many, many years . . . we have traditions for everything . . . How to sleep, how to eat . . . how to work . . . how to wear clothes. For instance, we always keep our heads covered and always wear a little prayer shawl. This shows our constant devotion to God. You may ask, ‘How did this tradition get started?’ I’ll tell you. I don’t know. But it’s a tradition . . . and because of our traditions . . . Every one of us knows who he is and what God expects him to do.”
But is this truly the case? And what about Christian religious customs?
Within Christianity, denominations have their own shibboleths—unique traditions or practices that distinguish one group from another. At their best, these traditions are upheld by individuals who sincerely believe they are following the Father’s will.

The Danger of Man-Made Traditions

People at the time of the Lord Jesus Christ and today are very sincere in their beliefs and practices. However, despite their sincerity, it’s astonishing that the Scriptures offer a completely different perspective and a stark warning about man-made traditions.

Matthew 15:6 says, “You invalidated the word of God for the sake of your tradition.”

Similarly, Isaiah 29:13 declares, “They honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. And their worship of me is nothing but man-made rules learned by rote.”

These verses challenge us to examine whether our traditions align with the Father’s desires or if they have become hollow rituals. Could it be that our hearts are out of tune with Him, clinging to human customs rather than His Word?

REFLECT & PRAY

The Lord Jesus Christ strongly denounces hypocrisy. Our words and deeds should flow from genuine devotion, not superficial adherence to human traditions or creeds.

Father, examine my heart and reveal any wicked way within me (Psalms 139:24). My heart is deceitful and desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9). Help me to align my life with Your Word, not with man-made traditions.

INSIGHT

The Origin of the Shibboleth Test

In Judges 12, a civil conflict arose among Israel’s tribes. Jephthah, leading Gilead’s army, defeated Ephraim’s forces. To identify fleeing Ephraimites, Gilead’s soldiers devised a test using the Hebrew word shibboleth, meaning the head of a wheat or rye stalk. Gileadites pronounced it with an “SH” sound, while Ephraimites said sibboleth, revealing their identity (Judges 12:5-6). This marked the first recorded use of a shibboleth test, and the name stuck.

The Corban Loophole

Fast forward to the New Testament, where religious leaders devised a cunning way to evade their moral obligations. By pledging money as a Corban (a vow to God), they exempted it from being used to care for elderly parents, blatantly violating the spirit of the 5th Commandment, which calls for honoring and caring for parents. Oh my, what a highly unethical loophole, if not outright wicked. Today, they are referred to as cleverly devised “tax shelters.”

A sly “vow to God,” known as a Corban, effectively nullified the financial obligations outlined in the law of God. Once the Corban was pledged, it legally belonged to the Temple and would be paid upon the individual’s death. The funds couldn’t be transferred to anyone else, but the person who made the vow could use them for personal gain in the interim. Rather than supporting the Torah, the Corban undermined it.

Mark 7:11 explains: “But you say it is all right for people to say to their parents, ‘Sorry, I can’t help you. For I have vowed to give to God what I would have given to you.’”

This loophole allowed individuals to retain control of their pledged funds for personal use while appearing pious. However, it undermined the Torah and dishonored God’s law.

The Lord’s Condemnation

The Lord Jesus Christ condemned this practice, calling out the hypocrisy of the religious leaders. Despite their outward appearance of piety, their hearts were far from God.

Matthew 15:6 says, “You invalidated the word of God for the sake of your own tradition.”

This pharisaic manipulation of the law created a direct conflict between man-made traditions and God’s commands. As Barclay noted, “Inevitably, the one had to destroy the other.”

Reflect & Examine

The righteous anger we feel toward such hypocrisy should prompt us to examine our own hearts. Are we guilty of prioritizing materialism, dodging moral responsibilities, or neglecting care for others?

Legal evasion does not relieve us of moral responsibility.

Isaiah 29:13 reminds us: “These people say they are mine. They honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.”

Takeaway

Legal evasion does not absolve us of moral responsibility. Let us align our hearts and actions with God’s Word, ensuring that our worship and deeds reflect genuine devotion rather than hollow traditions.

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© Dr. H 2024