Day 27 - Week 4 Day 6 I've been mistreated
I hear stories of people being mistreated all the time—whether at home, at work, or in larger situations and now too often on social media. Sometimes people are mistreated on a grander scale, such as the many Jewish people who lost their lives in the Holocaust simply for being Jewish. Right now, at this time in history, we see many of our neighbours to the south in the U.S. being mistreated. Mistreatment is never appropriate; often it is bullying or the result of someone protecting their own self-interest.
- We are reading the story of Judah and Tamar, in which Judah mistreats Tamar, his daughter-in-law, by not providing a husband as promised. This mistreatment causes Tamar, while hiding her identity, to prostitute herself to her father-in-law, Judah. When Judah discovers that she is pregnant, he wants her killed—until it is revealed that he is the father.
- Joseph was sold into slavery in Egypt, but even as a slave, he rose in favour and became the personal servant and overseer of the household of Potiphar, an Egyptian officer of Pharaoh. Joseph was later mistreated because Potiphar’s wife wanted him to have an affair with her. When she tried to trap him, he fled, leaving his cloak behind, and Potiphar’s wife lied about Joseph. She made it appear that he was making advances toward her in order to protect herself.
In Psalm 25, verses 2 and 3, David says:
“O my God, in You I trust;
Do not let me be ashamed;
Do not let my enemies exult over me.
Indeed, none of those who wait for You will be ashamed;
Those who deal treacherously without cause will be ashamed.”
It is so hard not to try to get even with those who mistreat us, but David reminds us that “none of those who wait for You will be ashamed.” It is difficult to leave our response to mistreatment in the hands of the LORD. Yet David also says, “Those who deal treacherously without cause will be ashamed.”
In the reading from Matthew, Peter asks, “How often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus responds, “Seventy times seven.” That’s 490 times—but the point is not to count, but simply forgive.
Jesus then tells the parable of a servant who owes an unpayable debt to the king. Since he cannot repay it, the king orders that the servant, his family, and all his possessions be sold to repay the debt. The servant begs for mercy, and the king not only shows compassion but forgives the entire debt. However, that same servant refuses to show compassion to another servant who owes him far less. As a result, the king withdraws his compassion, and the servant receives a harsher punishment than he would have faced originally.
Jesus concludes in verse 35:
“My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart.”
Here is the heart of it: we have been forgiven for all the things we have done that are not in alignment with God’s will (what the Bible calls sin), no matter how serious the action or inaction. Even when we have been wronged, we are called to forgive and leave the response to God. Remember, God is a God of both justice and compassion. We are called to love Him and to love others, and one of the greatest ways to show love is to forgive when we have been wronged.
A word of caution: forgiveness does not necessarily mean things return to the way they were before. We are also called to be wise. If someone hurts you, it may change that relationship going forward.
In the next few readings, we will see how God uses all the bad things that happened to Joseph for good and for His greater plan. No matter how difficult things are right now, God can use them for good if you are willing to leave them with Him. We will also see that it took time before Joseph began to see the good that God was working through him. Notice that through all the hardship, Joseph refused to commit a “great evil and sin against God.”
Maybe we can change the mindset from “I’ve been mistreated” to “I’ve been faithful.”
This is always a great reminder. Thanks Steve. We all need this reminder where to place our trust.
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