Bibledoorajar Looks at Peaceful Relationships

"Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord.…"    Romans 12:17ff.

Joseph's brothers entered Egypt through ten separate gates as their father suggested. Jacob wanted each son to be able to gain grain for the family as there were amount restrictions placed by Joseph so that a man could only get enough for his immediate family. But there was a secondary thought that the sons had. Perhaps as they streamed through the separate gates they might find their brother Joseph and redeem him and assuage their guilt of not having treated him right in the eyes of the Lord. As they came before Egypt's viceroy to buy grain they did not realize that they had indeed found their brother. But he certainly knew them and, although he did not take revenge, he did make them squirm a little. He accused them of being spies and had them thrown in jail. Robbed of their peace, they wondered what would happen to them and how torn their father would be once again.

Sometimes we run from a peaceful relationship with Jesus and with others.  Why is that I wonder? Especially, when the Word says that God declares vengeance is His and that He will repay. Ever wonder why you are squirming in a "jail" of sorts. Perhaps God is trying to get your attention. The Jewish people have been through all kinds of wrath following their rejection of Jesus. Now is the time to take the necessary steps to be at peace with God by not rejecting your Brother. What follows will be eternal peace started in the here and now. Observe:

"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
                                                              From the Revelation