June 2022
Nougat 16
What do we do when those who intended us harm are later in need of our help? In today’s Holy Nougat
“So the king responded by saying to the man of God: “Please seek the face of Adonai your God, and pray for me, so my hand may be restored to me!” So the man of God sought the face of Adonai and the king’s hand was restored to him, becoming as it was before.” 1 Kings 13:6 TLV
This is hard.
On the one hand I think, ‘Bless them that curse you …’ other hand, I think revenge – let them stay in their misery. As a Christian, as a pastor … I know what the expectation is – the Jero-boams of this world hurt us, and when they are in distress, we go to their rescue! Cut and dried, just like the nougat.
The absolute irony is that the Jeroboams we encounter know what God expects us to do. As far away as Jeroboam had diverged from his original faith; we see him asking the prophet – yes, the same man he’d been about to hit – to effect his healing! The nerve I say. Why should he receive grace?
I think of those in jail who are guilty of murder, rape and even ‘lesser crimes’ who ask for reduced sentences; and those abusers who expect to be fed and cared for by the one/s they abuse. What’s up with that? Is their an entitlement gene that is specifically activated among the wicked?
For the irony is, Jeroboam, having been healed, returned to idolatry and his reign of terror. It’s not as though he had repented. Not even for the perpetuation of his dynasty!
So what do we do – do we ‘leave them to Jesus’, and offer help as the prophet did? Or do we set our faces like flint, and leave them to figure it out themselves? Perhaps we helped, but then made certain every- one knows all the details of what we have done? Hmmn these choices!
Our prophet did right by God’s will. He prayed for Jeroboam and the hand was restored. No gimmicks, no tv interviews, nothing. Maybe he was making a point to Jeroboam, but he did right. Perhaps he saw us in his future being encouraged by his actions. Whether either of those is true, we know he was true to God. Even when it seemed Jeroboam was getting off lightly.
And, in some ways he did. Just like you and me. We have not always repented of our wrongs; but Jesus intervenes with gracious forgiveness. For that I am forever grateful.
Lord,
We know we are not You, dear Lord but it’s hard to accept the wrongs that are continually being perpetrated around us. It’s easy for us to judge, and sometimes we heal without reprimanding or seeking Justice. Help us to know when a situation requires Justice/Judgement, and when to offer grace. Help us we pray in Jesus name amen
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May all we seek be found in Christ