Bibledoorajar: The Disposition to Forgive

Jacob's sons did all he commanded of them and then they returned to Egypt.  Somehow their disposition changed as they reentered the land. Hopelessness became their great enemy. Instead of continuing to believe the truth spoken earlier by Joseph they fell again for a lie. They began to wonder if Joseph would treat them kindly now that their father was gone. Without Jacob's presence it would be easy for Joseph to exact measure for measure for the torment which they had caused in his life. So they sent an emissary to Joseph to ascertain if he still felt warmly toward them sinners though they were. Joseph responded with tears. Not how could you do this to me tears, but tears that revealed his deep abiding love and commitment to God. He was not God that he could render them harm; he was a believer that everything that had happened to him at their hands was for a greater good and their relationship must always be viewed in that light. It was a light that reflected deep abiding compassion for them even though they did not find God in the moment. So, when the messengers  brought back the report that Joseph had received the message well, and had wept when he heard it, they felt empowered to go in person and they fell down on their faces. The dreams God had given Joseph were fulfilled once again:  their sheaves would fall down before his sheaves--in falling down before Joseph they agreed to obey him. We pay attention to the level of compassion that drew such a godly result.

Sometimes hopelessness and grief can overtake us and become a great enemy. When Jesus made it to Mary and Martha at Lazarus's death, He found two tormented ladies and He responded with tears. These were tears of love for the two but also tears that they had lost sight of the fact that God's will was paramount and that God meant Lazarus's death for good. He then proceeded to demonstrate hope in God's ever present ability to resurrect. In obedience like Mary and Martha and Lazarus, we bow to Him, this One who brought the compassion of the Father to us. He who, even on the cruel cross, shared tears that revealed that God meant to make good out of a very terrible thing. And so can we pay even more attention today and perhaps fall on our faces in obedience?