God Working through Disobedience
Genesis 45:1-11; Romans 11: 1-2; 29-32
In Romans, Paul talks about how the Lord used the
disobedience of the Israelites to bring salvation to the Gentiles. Paul starts
our passage proclaiming that God has not rejected his people. He states that
the gifts and callings of the Lord are irrevocable. They are said to be disobedient
now in order that God’s mercy can be shown to the Gentiles and in turn they too
can turn from their disobedience and receive mercy. By imprisoning all in disobedience
God may be merciful to all.
Mercy is defined as: Compassion or forgiveness shown
toward someone whom it is within one’s power to punish or harm. God has the
power to harm the Israelites who have hurt him in their rejection of Jesus and
us Gentiles who continue in sin and disobedience. Yet God offers mercy
otherwise known as grace to all.
Joseph had been given great power. He could have
punished his brothers in revenge for what they had done. Though he does put
them through their paces before revealing himself, he sees how God has worked
through their sin of selling him into slavery. So instead, he grants them mercy
– a place to live with plenty of food.
Can God work through our mistakes and our failures? I
along with Paul and Joseph believe God can and will show mercy and forgiveness
for our sins. When we feel imprisoned by our sin God can break us free and in
God’s mercy something good can come out of it. Amen
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