One
of the paradoxes in life is how people reject those destined to help, even save
them. The one rejected in this way has a love for those doing the rejecting and
is separated from them (often owing to wickedness meted out) and forgotten for
a while. The thread runs through scripture. Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave
into Egypt. But God was with him and rescued him from all his troubles. He gave
Joseph wisdom and enabled him to gain the goodwill of Pharaoh king of Egypt; so
he made him ruler over Egypt and all his palace Acts 7:9-10(NIV). Yet it was Joseph that was placed by God to save both they
and the rest of mankind from famine. Their very act of rejection turned out to
be the pathway to his ordained saving work. Jephthah was equally rejected by
his brethren for the wrong reasons. Gilead's
wife also bore him sons, and when they were grown up, they drove Jephthah away.
"You are not going to get any inheritance in our family," they said,
"because you are the son of another woman." So Jephthah fled from his
brothers and settled in the land of Tob Jdg 11:2-3(NIV). Yet God ordained him to
deliver the family of Gilead and all Israel from the Ammonites. Their rejection
was simply leading to military experience preparing him in God’s call. Eventually
those involved in rejecting need to submit to the rejected one so as to enjoy
the benefits of the ordained salvation. That was so with Joseph, with Jephthah
and Moses. "This is the same Moses
whom they had rejected with the words, 'Who made you ruler and judge?' He was
sent to be their ruler and deliverer by God himself, through the angel who
appeared to him in the bush.” Acts7:35 (NIV)
God
has a ministry for those who have been rejected unfairly – a ministry
encompassing and yet exceeding those who reject you. Jesus came to His own in
Jerusalem as the king. Yet the rulers of the Jews rejected Him; the prophecy of
Zechariah which He fulfilled notwithstanding. Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it, as it is written, "Do
not be afraid, O Daughter of Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a
donkey's colt." Jn12:14-15(NIV). Could it be they were
ignorant of the writings so clear? Such rejection is painful, the result of
blindness, and the consequence far reaching.
Some of the Pharisees in the
crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples!" As he
approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, "If you,
even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace — but now it is
hidden from your eyes. Lk 19:39, 41-42(NIV). Yet Jesus is the saviour of all.
Have
you been rejected, driven away by those you love? So was Jesus. Eventually the word of God spread. The number of
disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became
obedient to the faith. Acts6:7(NIV). I say you have a work
from God in the lives and destinies of those who unfairly reject you. Though it
be painful remain steadfast. Love them through to see it happen. Like the
others I expect you will receive a crown.
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