Don't Despise

I’ve been turning over the issue of Edom and forgiveness a lot over the last few days. I know several of you have as well, as you’ve thanked me for the message this past Sunday. If you haven’t gotten a chance to read the article I linked, it’s worth hopping over there to read one of the most balanced and challenging and probing reflections on forgiveness I’ve read in a while. 

Wounds that run deep

Of particular note, is the fact that forgiveness doesn’t minimize the offense. Forgiveness doesn’t tell someone, “It’s alright. You didn’t mean it.” The fact is, if someone didn’t do it on purpose it’s not sin. It’s an offense, but not sinning against you. (I’m thinking here of when someone says something that unintentionally hurts your feelings. In this case, the person offended you and may need to say “I’m sorry” or you may need to simply look over it). But what if the person did mean it? What if they hurt you time and again….wounds which you are still bandaging? 

I think the answer comes in the interplay between Deuteronomy and Obadiah’s prophecy. Why would God tell his people not to despise Edom nor the Egyptians? These are people who caused great harm to them. And they never said “I’m sorry.” In fact, if given the chance, they’d do it again. As we see the relationship between Edom and Egypt towards Israel throughout its history, we know this to be true. They were always trying to overtake and destroy Israel so they could have the Promised Land. 

So. Why would God tell his people not to despise them? Because he knew that Obadiah would be prophesying not too much later (around a 1000 years). That’s a thousand years of persecution. But God knew that judgment was coming. Therefore, he was telling Israel to leave that judgment to him.

Faith to Forgive

Extending forgiveness is filled with faith. The person receiving it doesn’t merit it. The wrong can’t be undone. In forgiveness we exercise the truth the Lord says, “Vengeance is mine. I will repay” (Deut 32.35). Forgiveness doesn’t make you a doormat. It lifts your eyes to see a day that only the eyes of faith can see. To put to action what you know cognitively. That’s why it’s so stinkin’ hard! It is one thing to believe it. It is another to exercise it. After all, don’t we see it everyday when we know we shouldn’t eat that whole pint of Ben & Jerry’s and we know we should go on that walk? Our faith is not a mere cognitive or metaphysically disconnected catalog of truths. It demands action. It takes work—blood, sweat, and tears.

I can’t help but think God—who doesn’t want anyone to perish (yes, even that person!)—calling Israel to not despise Edom and Egypt was due to his heart for them. For in Israel’s extension of forgiveness (something Edom was incapable of doing because of their pride), the one receiving forgiveness might be able to experience eternal forgiveness. That is, I can’t help but think that God was trying to demonstrate the offer of forgiveness to Israel’s enemies. Because, after all, isn’t that what he’s done for each of us? “While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom 5.8).

I also think in extending forgiveness, Israel was keeping their hearts from being hardened (as Edom and Egypt were). There were wounds they had to walk with. Pain lingers. And even here, the Lord would remind his people that he is an ever-present and ever-ready help in times of trouble (Psa 46.1).

Take Your Struggles to God

Your pain and struggles with forgiveness are not your own. If you will take them to God, morning by morning, you will find that the pain persists. But you will also find daily ointment and fresh dressing from his all-knowing and all-understanding hand. As he hung from the tree and asked his Father to forgive. They knew what they were doing. But they did not know the full extent and heinousness of their sin. They were too short-sighted. They did not know their Maker was there dying for their rebellion and ignorance (Luke 23.34; 1Cor 2.8).

Friend, as you and I struggle to forgive. As we daily keep bitterness from entering the living room of our hearts. As we refuse to give anger the guest room of our lives. Remember that the Lord will deal with the sin. As God dealt with Edom and Egypt through judgment, the person who hurt you will be dealt with. God is intimately involved in their lives to convict, soften, harden, or judge. That is God’s prerogative. You are not called to be judge and jury. Your calling is also difficult. Your call is cry out to God for your own healing and help. If laws of the land were broken, yes, call the authorities. If not, cry out to the one who will mete out the true, lasting, pure justice.

May God give us perseverance and patience and long-suffering kind of faith and forgiveness. To not despise. But to forgive and trust and let the Spirit of God do deep work in our souls.