Part 1 – John Spence
The Bible teaches that to become a Christian we must have “repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ”, Acts 20:21. Repentance means to change from our sinful lifestyle and turn to God. This must be followed by faith (belief) in the Lord Jesus Christ. When we do this, we are saved. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved”. Acts 16:31
There is a kind of repentance that is incomplete. It is called the “sorrow of the world”. People feel sorry for their sins and often try to reform their lives by copying Christian virtues or joining a church. They profess to be Christians. They do not really turn to God and take the next step of believing on the Lord Jesus Christ and receiving the gift of salvation. “For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death”. 2 Corinthians 7:10
These kinds of people are described in 2 Peter 2. They change their lifestyle and may even become teachers of the Bible. After a while as described in the last verse of this 2 Peter 2, they go back to their old sins, “But it has happened to them according to the true proverb, ‘A dog returns to his own vomit,’; and, ‘a pig, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire’”. 2 Peter 2:22
God often uses animals in the Bible to describe human behavior. Animals are mentioned in the Bible as symbols of good things and also bad things. The dove is used as a symbol of rest and peace (Genesis 8:11) and also of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:16). The ants are described as busy and industrious (Proverbs 6:6) and are an example for humans to copy. The lion is an example of strength and supremacy. Jesus is called the “Lion of the tribe of Judah” (Genesis 49:9). Sheep are also used to describe people before they were saved, “For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls”. 1 Peter 2:25
Dogs are described in the Bible as undesirable creatures. Jesus said, “Do not give what is holy to dogs”. Matthew 7:6.
What is undesirable about dogs? The dogs that Jesus is referring to are not the cuddly pets with wagging tails and friendly behavior that people keep in their houses. These are wild or half wild animals that roamed the streets and hills of Israel, with their tongues hanging from their mouths, looking for food in the garbage dumps of the village. These dogs can be quite fierce, and they were able to attack people. They devour carcasses and would not hesitate to eat humans. 1Kings 14:11 says that dogs eat the flesh of people who were killed. “Anyone belonging to Jeroboam who dies in the city the dogs will eat.”
These kinds of dogs can be very vicious and can attack human beings. For example, in Psalm 22 which prophetically pictures Jesus on the cross, it describes Him as being surrounded by dogs: “For dogs have surrounded me; A band of evildoers has encompassed me; They pierced my hands and my feet. I can count all my bones. They look, they stare at me; they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots”. Psalm 22:16-18 He is describing the people who crucified Him as wild dogs.
Dogs have a very disgusting habit of eating their own vomit. They often return to their vomit. They have become sick with what they have eaten. They throw it up again and afterwards return to it and lick it up We cannot imagine people doing such a thing. It is repulsive to us.
The dog’s Peter is describing are filthy animals. The filthiness of sin is expressed by the vomit of a dog. A false Christian is compared to a dog that goes back to what it has previously rejected. He has rejected the sinful life he had for a while. But now, forgetting all the wrongness of it, he returns to his old sinful lifestyle.