A Just and Merciful God. Part [6] 03/23/2025 (Morning thought)

Exodus 11:2 Speak now in the ears of the people, and let every man borrow of his neighbor, and every woman of her neighbor, jewels of silver and jewels of gold. 3 And the Lord gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh's servants, and in the sight of the people.

Again, the reader should not stumble over particular wordings or renditions in Hebrew, Greek or Latin for if we were to get hung up on a word or a phrase, we could end up losing sight of the bigger picture which God is calling our attention to. That is what occurs in that passage which speaks of the Hebrews “Borrowing” Jewels of the Egyptians. In the Hebrew, it could also mean to ask and it can also be interpreted as borrow, as it is in the King James version of the Bible.

Yet, the bigger picture is that the children of Israel had been taken advantage of many years, and now it was time for justice to be meted out at The Lord’s discretion. Therefore, we should not get stuck on a word or a phrase neither should we stumble at what may seem to us as questionable ways and means. If God ordains it, it is the right thing to do, even if the methods may seem at variance with scriptural instructions.

The reason why this understanding is important when studying the Bible is that persons could be in danger of stumbling over nuances in words and phrases. Let us take a few examples of what is being spoken of, before we launch out into the deep in our study for today. Two spies are sent out to Jericho to check out the land, in preparation for the imminent God- ordained invasion.

Joshua 2:1 And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot's house, named Rahab, and lodged there. 2 And it was told the king of Jericho, saying, Behold, there came men in hither to night of the children of Israel to search out the country.

May The Lord add His blessing to the study of His word. God bless!

A Just and Merciful God. Part [5] 03/23/2025 (Evening thought)

Leviticus 19:18 Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself: I am the Lord.

When it comes to getting even with someone for an injustice done, from the Christian’s perspective this should be done only at God’s discretion, and at His direction because when it comes to handling justice, there is very often the tendency for individuals to go overboard, especially if the wrongs were done to them personally. Again, sometimes you might read in the Bible where the God-fearing individual may have adopted ways and means that may seem to be questionable to us.

And because of man’s fallen nature, some in certain instances might do the right thing the wrong way. Whenever this occurs in the Scripture, it should not cause the reader to lose sight of the bigger picture, nor should it lead us to conclude that in every single instance God approved of those methods that were adopted by the person in question. We should be very careful not to be more righteous than God.

Wherever and whenever discrepancies in judgment in ways, means and methods may seem to appear in the one whom God is using, the natural tendency is to conclude that such actions were not in harmony with Biblical teaching and principles. You may actually have a point, but if God was in it, that should be enough to settle the matter in our minds, because justice and mercy are always to be understood in the context of God’s Sovereignty over everything and everyone.

Romans 12:18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

May God add His blessing to the study of His word. “Good night” and God bless!