I don't often share things I learned in Bible study, but I don't often feel as challenged and inspired as I did this past Sunday. I learn, but it's been a while since something hit me right in the gut. So here goes.
We're reading through Genesis when Lot fled Sodom. Skipping other tricky topics, we dwelt on the fact that he offered his daughters to a mob. Back up a bit, and we see Abraham and God referring to him as "righteous." Hmmm.
Later, we read how Abraham lied to a king (for the second time) about Sarah being his wife and not his sister. God appears to the king in a dream and basically says You stole a prophet's wife. You're screwed. The guy stammers I didn't know, then lets her go.
We talked about how Lot could possibly be righteous, and how could Abraham be a prophet. We judged based on the dirt in their lives, because that's what we do.
Yet, in this passage and in Hebrews, God sees these people not where they are in those moments, but where He will bring them. He's quite tenacious like that.
I don't see this as a justification of mistakes. We do that to often with our list of Biblical characters' flaws. Well, Peter was a piece of work so I can be, too. Yeah, but Peter grew up eventually. Don't forget that part.
It may take a while, but God has that point in mind for us. Others may see us in the moment, but He won't settle for that, and neither should we. We may have more entertaining names for those around us, but in the end His is better.
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