The shock of Jacob's
sons was not that their brother was alive; but rather what GOD
had meant of their evil. These words of Joseph
should not take us aback, for the only motive fallen man can
muster is evil. "And GOD saw that
the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every
imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil
continually." Why are we surprised when
sinners behave like sinners? The Scripture exclaims that
even the advertised
righteousness of man is a stench in GOD'S nostrils.
"But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses
are as filthy rags; ..."
Evil men, with evil
thoughts, are but the witless pawns in GOD'S plan to do good to
those who will trust HIM and receive it. If you doubt
this, take Judas Iscariot as 'Exhibit A' of one who fulfilled
both prophecy, and his own destiny, yet he is the very poster
child of all the traitorous down through time. Were
it not for his contribution to the bloody scene of Calvary, we
would still be without the hope of GOD'S good gospel.
Horizontal rational will always conclude that there's been a
horrible mistake; that somehow this just isn't fair.
Vertical reason however, factors GOD into the equation of all
perceived inequity, and is assured that present bad is the
vehicle to ultimate good.
Have you ever stopped
to consider that there are no tragedies from Heaven's vantage
point? Was not the cross of CHRIST the most evil deed ever
perpetrated by man? But look, GOD meant it unto good ...
"to save much people alive."
"Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good."
... if anyone has ever epitomized this verse, it is our
SAVIOR! And to those of us who would return evil for evil,
the author of Hebrews admonishes us to:
" ... consider HIM that endured such
contradiction of sinners against HIMSELF, lest ye be wearied and
faint in your minds." Consider men and
you're apt to find evil, consider GOD and you'll find good.
Love GOD and you'll be blessed to know that HE is so.
"And we know that all things work together
for good to them that love GOD, ..."