The Surprise of Forgiveness
4/3/2018

Moses was an advocate for mercy for Miriam. He asked God to heal her, even though she had turned against him. Moses could have supported Miriam's punishment and rightfully have insisted on "eye for eye" (Exodus 21:24). However, having been a murderer and fugitive himself (Exodus 2:11--15), he had personally experienced the power of God's grace and forgiveness.

 

Our natural tendency is to treat others the way they treat us. We are kind to the kind and often unloving to the unloving. However, Jesus' words, thousands of years after this event, still provide the higher ground for us: "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matthew 5:43--44).

 

When we are not treated well, we need to ask God to give us the attitude of Moses, who had compassion on the hurts of one who had not treated him well. This type of attitude releases us from a life of keeping emotional score cards and insisting that everything be fair and leads to a life of love, grace, freedom and forgiveness.

 

Numbers 12:13-15 So Moses cried out to the LORD, "Please, God, heal her!" The LORD replied to Moses, "If her father had spit in her face, would she not have been in disgrace for seven days? Confine her outside the camp for seven days; after that she can be brought back." So Miriam was confined outside the camp for seven days, and the people did not move on till she was brought back.

 

HOW FORGIVENESS FREES US

Dr. John Tonsend, and Dr. Henry Cloud

 

 






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