October 30, 2011

Pharisees then and now


On Wednesday mornings, a group of women from our church meet to discuss the liturgical readings for the coming Sunday. Last Wednesday's discussion on today's Gospel (Matthew 23:1-2) was interesting for several reasons. But one thing in particular stood out to me.

Did you know that, in the time of Jesus, Jews distinguished 7 types of Pharisees? Here are the qualities that characterize them:
  • Wait-a-little Pharisee: These men always had a valid reason for putting off a good deed.
  • Shoulder Pharisees were meticulous in observing the Law, but they wore their good deeds on their shoulder to ensure that they would be seen by others.
  • Bruised or bleeding Pharisee: Women had a very low (almost nonexistent) status in the Palestine of Jesus' day. No self-respecting orthodox teacher would be seen in public talking to a woman, regardless of their relationship. The bruised or bleeding Pharisee was so scrupulous in observing this custom that they would not even look at a woman, and they would close their eyes to make sure! As a result, they would run into things or stumble. The wounds they sustained gained them recognition for being especially pious.
  • Hump-back Pharisees walked in such ostentatious humility that their backs were constantly bent over, giving them a hump-back appearance. In addition, they would not lift their feet from the ground, resulting in frequent trips and falls. Thus they were advertizing their piety for all to see.
  • Ever-reckoning Pharisees always kept a score card of his good deeds, in the belief that each of them put God further in their debt.
  • Timid or fearful Pharisee: These Pharisees were continually dreading divine punishment. Avoidance of God's judgment or condemnation was the aim of their religious observance.
  • God-fearing Pharisees found delight in observing God's law. Their motivation was love of God.
I thought of at least one other modern-day "Pharisee":
  • Scorekeeper Pharisees, unlike Ever-reckoning Pharisees, keep score of the evildoing of others in order to compare themselves favorably to "those sinners".
Can you think of any other modern-day Pharisees you may have met? Can you find yourself anywhere on the list?



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14 comments:

  1. I think we're all guilty of that modern-day one. :/

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  2. A very interesting list. I agree with Kathleen. One thing I'm working hard on is to pray for every person I want to point fingers at as a sinner. Some of us are really sneaky in sinning but the obvious sinner may be many rungs higher on the love of God ladder.

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  3. Oh my, I like your scorekeeper Pharisee because I have certainly had similar thoughts...judging others and comparing oneself can become a nasty habit!

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  4. Very interesting indeed.

    The Judgmental Pharisees spent a majority of their time being judgmental of others and completely unaware of their own shortcomings.

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  5. Wow, this is quite a list! I was thinking about the Pharisee that refused to care for his parents: deliberate orphan pharisee.

    This is sort of fun, but I kind of see what Kathleen is saying. I think I can slide into the modern day Pharisee category in many areas. So, you've made me examine myself tonight. That's a good thing. Thank you!

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  6. We were just talking about Pharisees in Sunday School last week. :)

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  7. We meet at our church every Thursday to discuss Sunday's readings! Being a pharisee can sneak up on you for sure. Great list. (Found you via Welcome Wednesday Blog Hop)

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  8. Always good to be reminded to be humble versus boastful. Hard not to toot your own horn sometimes.

    Following you from finding new friends blog hop).
    Regina, The Crazy Nuts Mom

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  9. This is a great list. I've never seen it broken down like this before.

    (visiting from Thirsty Thursday)
    Anne,

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  10. This must have been a lively discussion with the ladies. Great way to break it down:) Thanks for linking up tot he NOBH and sharing your discussion

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  11. I would have loved to listen to this discussion. Thank you for writing down the points so I could "listen in." I'm searching my heart. I don't want any Pharisaical spirit hiding in my heart -- just a heart free to serve my God and shelter others.

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  12. Yes, we still have them and sorry, often we fall in with them! Your list is amazing!

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  13. Very interesting. Thank you for sharing.
    I have stumbled this post. http://grandmabonniescloset.blogspot.com/2011/11/simple-cake-decorating-tip-smoothing.html

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