Article originally written in 2014 and edited. by Author Stephonia Roberts
Have you ever met people who are faith based but when it comes to herbs their faith goes out the window? I started Sunday School Garden several years ago for the purpose of educating and dispelling mystical beliefs of witchcraft and herbs being wicked.
This topic is about education, understanding and how the Bible is a source of herbal information which allows us to come in from the dark.
Today's herbal study brings us to this morning's Sunday school garden scripture; Matthew 23:23 KJV " Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cumin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone."
I have always liked this particular passage because I can see myself in a time frame watching the comings and goings at the temple. Here we have several herbs mentioned in this passage but, the herb we are focusing on this morning is Anise.
Most folks are not familiar with anise, but it has a flavor associated with licorice, fennel or tarragon. It is a very aromatic spice used in baked goods and pies baking spices. It's also used in Italian sausage adding that zing of a flavor. But the most popular asset of Anise is the seeds are used in most liquors such as absinthe, anisette, ouzo and sambuca.
Now, we are familiarized with a bit of anise. Let's get more in depth with this particular passage so, we can learn what the great commentaries had to say about this very important scripture.
This morning we will look at Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary 23:13-33 The scribes and Pharisees were enemies to the gospel of Christ, and therefore to the salvation of the souls of men. It is bad to keep away from Christ ourselves, but worse also to keep others from him. Yet it is no new thing for the show and form of godliness to be made a cloak to the greatest enormities. But dissembled piety will be reckoned double iniquity. They were very busy to turn souls to be of their party. Not for the glory of God and the good of souls, but that they might have the credit and advantage of making converts. Gain being their godliness, by a thousand devices they made religion give way to their worldly interests. They were very strict and precise in smaller matters of the law, but careless and loose in weightier matters. It is not the scrupling a little sin that Christ here reproves; if it be a sin, though but a gnat, it must be strained out; but the doing that, and then swallowing a camel, or, committing a greater sin. While they would seem to be godly, they were neither sober nor righteous. We are really, what we are inwardly. Outward motives may keep the outside clean, while the inside is filthy; but if the heart and spirit be made new, there will be newness of life; here we must begin with ourselves. The righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees was like the ornaments of a grave, or dressing up a dead body, only for show. The deceitfulness of sinners' hearts appears in that they go down the streams of the sins of their own day, while they fancy that they should have opposed the sins of former days. We sometimes think, if we had lived when Christ was upon earth, that we should not have despised and rejected him, as men then did; yet Christ in his Spirit, in his word, in his ministers, is still no better treated. And it is just with God to give those up to their hearts' lusts, who obstinately persist in gratifying them. Christ gives men their true characters.
Wow, we can read how the conflict from the political figures versus the common folks' beliefs were exhausting very much like today. But why are these herbs even mentioned? Herbs played an essential role in the market especially for rituals, ceremonies and spicing food. Spices were a big market especially for those who could afford it.
Anise Stars are not only pretty but very fragrant. These little beauties are milder than their components Anise seeds which is pictured below.
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Anise is also known for its medicinal benefits.
Star anise is rich in antioxidants and vitamin A and C, which help fight free radicals that are responsible for early aging and diabetes.
The oil produced from star anise contains thymol, terpineol and anethole, which is used for treating colds and flu. However, Anise may have estrogen-like effects, so there's some concerns the use of anise supplements may be potentially harmful to people with hormone-sensitive conditions, such as hormone-dependent cancers (breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer), endometriosis, and uterine fibroids.
Disclaimer: As always if you’re under the supervision of a physician please check with the doctor before using any herbs, vitamins or supplements.
This is for informational purposes only and not to treat, cure or diagnose any symptom.
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This has been Sunday School Garden
Information provided from Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary!
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