Mark 7:11 But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is Corban (that is, devoted to God)
Corban is the transliteration of the Hebrew word meaning “offering”. By using this word in a religious vow an irresponsible Judean son could formally dedicate to God (i.e., to the temple) his earnings that otherwise would have gone for the support of his parents. The money, however, did not necessarily have to go for religious purposes. The Corban formula was simply a means of circumventing the clear responsibility of children toward their parents as prescribed in the Mosaic Law. The teachers of the law held that the Corban oath was binding, even when uttered rashly. The practice was one of many traditions that adhered to the letter of the law while ignoring the spirit of the law.
The teachers of the law appealed to Numbers 30:1-2 in support of the Corban vow: Moses said to the heads of the tribes of Israel: “This is what the Lord commands: 2 When a man makes a vow to the Lord or takes an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word but must do everything he said. However, Jesus categorically rejected the practice of using one biblical teaching to nullify another. The scribal interpretation of Numbers 30:1-2 satisfied the letter of the law but missed the meaning of the law as a whole.
This Wednesday we will have our 3rd in a series of 6 lessons on Jesus’ confrontations with the Pharisees. This week we will be looking at Matthew 15:1-20. Praying everyone is enjoying a blessed Memorial Day weekend and we can’t wait to be back with you this Wednesday!
In Christ,
Gary T. and family