Forgiveness

All of us feel hurt, offended, or vilified at times. What are we to do about it? The story Joseph being sold into slavery by his brothers, gives insight. Genesis 50 gives the account.

There was a famine in Israel where Joseph’s brothers lived. Wisely Joseph had the people of Egypt stockpile food for a forthcoming famine. In desperation Joseph’s brothers went to Egypt to beg for food. They did not recognize the ruler before whom they bowed and begged as being Joseph, their wronged brother. He did recognize them and eventually revealed himself. They were mortified and trembled in fear for their lives.

Instead of playing the “hurt card,” the Scripture phrases his response as,“you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.” Joseph in effect said, “God used what you did to me to make me who I am.”  If I had not been a slave I would not be Prime Minister.

In response to his brothers begging for mercy Joseph said, “Am I in the place of God?” Meaning God, not I, is your judge, He is the one who forgives. Later in Scripture God said, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay.” Joseph trusted God to give them what they deserved. When we refuse to forgive we are playing God.

Joseph not only didn’t seek payback, he showed no bitterness. Bitterness is a self-inflicted wound. Being wronged results in us being bitter or better.

Joseph knew his God was bigger than his hurt and He forgives. 

Some say, “I just can’t forgive the person.” Often those same people under more pleasant circumstances quote the Scripture, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” If so, you can forgive.

A frequent response to personal injury is, “I can forgive, but I can’t forget.”  Forgive does not mean to forget. It means I will never hold it against you again.

In the model prayer is this statement, “Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.” When we forgive we invite God’s favor. When we refuse to forgive, we have no reason to expect God’s forgiveness.

Did God Hate Esau?

WHAT DID JESUS MEAN REGARDING HATING OUR FATHER AND MOTHER?

Scripture notes God loved Jacob, but “hated” Esau (Malachi 1:3).

Scripture also notes God blessed Esau greatly (Genesis 33:9). God even warned the Israelites not to attack the sons of Esau at the risk of the withdrawal of His protection (Deuteronomy 2:4-6).

God loved Jacob with a covenant love which was a different kind of love shown to Esau. God knows a person’s heart, and He knew Jacobs’ heart was more committed to Him than that of Esau.

An understanding is found in the Hebrew word “soneh” translated “hate.” It is a relative term meaning to love something or someone in a different way as another is loved. It is not a word with the same meaning as good old fashioned modern day hate. 

The meaning is He loved Jacob, but He loved Esau in a different way.

This is the meaning of the word Jesus used in speaking of those who follow Him must “hate” their father and mother, and follow Him. It does not mean to have old fashioned hate. Jesus is also using a relative term meaning love for others is of a lesser degree than love for Him.

It teaches Jesus should be the object of our primary love without rivalry. When He is our love for father and mother is greater than otherwise.

The meaning of the words for hate have changed since the original words were translated from Latin into English.

Not only does God love Esau, He loves us also. The question is do we love Him.

Has God Just Busted Our Britches?

Johnny Cash told me he was asked to do a big benefit at which the First Lady Mamie Eisenhower would be in attendance. He had a new tight fitting suit made with dangles and spangles all over it. On stage before he could hit the first note he dropped his guitar pick. When he squatted to pick it up he heard a rip in the crotch. He did a number and stormed off stage. In the dressing room he tore off the suit, threw it on the floor, and screamed as he jumped up and down on it. June started laughing uncontrollably. He asked what was so funny.

She said, ”You have the number one song, just starred in a movie, got your own TV program, and God done busted yo britches.”

She knew he needed to be humbled in order to get right with God.

To say God might have just allowed the busting of our national britches is a crude, but understandable way of putting it.

We have told Him we don’t need Him in our schools, courts, and society.

Could it be God is saying what you are experiencing is what life is like without Me when things don’t go well? Now humble yourselves, and pray, and seek my face and I will show you a way out and what life can be like. He will sew up our britches. Crude but true.

Equal vs Equivalence

Sometimes two words have very little difference, but that little difference makes a big difference. Two such words are equal and equivalent. 

Much is said about equality in our society. Many things said to be equal are not, but they are equivalent. Consider the difference.

Equality is a noun, the plural of which is equalities. It means the state or quality of being equal in quality, degree, value, rank, or ability.

Equivalent, is an adjective which means to be of equal value, measure, force, effect, or significance. It means equal to, but not the same as.

Equivalence means the value is the same. For example 4 is equal to 4, but 4 is not equal to 8/2 although it is equivalent. The difference between equality and equivalence is that when you say that two things are equal you are saying they are the same or that there is no difference between them.

Equality means the type and the value are the same, while equivalence means that while the types are not the same, the value is the same.

To say some things are equivalent is to indicate they are of the same worth, value, class and dignity, but not identical.

Equivalent things are not equal because they are not identical, but they are of the same value, worth, class, and dignity.

When two things are the same in some specific way, but not identical, they are said to be equivalent.

Two propositions are equivalent only if they mean the same thing. Two is less than four means the same thing as four is greater than two, although the two expressions aren’t equal, identical, that is.

Move Mountains

“…if you say to this mountain, ‘Be cast into the sea, it will be done.”

The meaning of this expression is more meaningful than if it were literally true. “Mountain” in the Bible era was often a popular figure of speech for any insurmountable problem. Jesus is saying God can solve any problem.

“The phrase about removing mountains was a quite common Jewish phrase. It was a regular, vivid phrase for removing difficulties.” (Barclay)

Unresolved issues and difficult problems were figuratively spoken of as a “mountain.” Persons with the capacity to resolve issues and solve problems were called “mountain-removers.” Jesus was teaching that prayer is the means of solving that which seems unresolvable. 

This promise of God’s answer to the prayer made in faith is made to disciples, not to the multitude. “Nor should we interpret Mark 11:24 to mean, ‘If you pray hard enough and really believe, God is obligated to answer your prayer no matter what you ask.’ That kind of faith is not faith in God; rather it is nothing but faith in faith, or faith in feelings,” wrote Wiersbe.

Christians need to be cautious how their faith in God is expressed. To simply pray about a thing and then declare God is going to do it can be confusing to some.. To say, “God is going to do a certain thing” in the mind of the unbeliever obligates God.  It is better to say, “My God is able. I trust Him with the result.”

The Old Testament account of the Hebrew children being put in the fiery furnace is an example. They did not say, “God is going to deliver us.” They said, “Our God is able to deliver us.” They trusted God and relied upon His will. It is not that we trust God to do it, but rather that we trust God (period). We trust God to do what His loving will determines is best.

Our asking must be according to the many qualifications noted in Scripture.