After the burial of their father Jacob, the brothers said, “perhaps Joseph will repay us the evil we did him” (Gen. 50:15). Rashi notes the word translated “perhaps” ( לוּ) expresses a wish: “We *wish* Joseph would repay us the evil we did him.” The brothers could not accept Joseph’s forgiveness because they clung to their guilt and shame... It would have been easier for them to tolerate retribution for their wrongs than to accept such clearly unmerited grace and kindness. And such is the case with some of us, too. We might find it easier to trust in Gods disapproval of us more than his welcoming love, since that agrees with our sense of self-contempt. We must be careful, however, since such “humility” may cloak the proud demand of the flesh not to feel indebted to God. The carnal life understands the idea of “karma,” payback, like-for-like and eye for eye justice, but it stumbles over sheer grace. Faith in Gods love is the courage to accept that you are accepted despite your own sense of unacceptability... - Hebrew for Christians
Posted on: Tue, 30 Dec 2014 18:16:59 +0000
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