“He will not accept any compensation; he will refuse a bribe, however great it is.”
This is a tough Old Testament truth. The adulterer is caught and now finds himself or herself trying to make things right with the spouse of the one they committed the act with. The wounded spouse is not interested in forgiving them, even to the point of escalating offers of bribes. They simply want revenge and no amount of groveling or gifts will dissuade them. What an awful place to find yourself, yet it is certainly understandable. As we have placed or allowed things to come between us and God, idols, we end up in the same position as the adulterer. Thankfully God does not desire revenge. He stands ready and willing to pay the ransom himself, to buy back the adulterer. What a crazy out of this world solution to the situation. For the spouse wounded by the adulterer there’s every reason to believe if not revenge at least punishment is justifiable to expect. It is for God as well. Scripture tells us though that while we were still in our sin, He sent His Son to die for us. Almost beyond belief. But, what a tremendous model for us as his followers to show the same level of forgiveness when we are sinned against. Today let’s leave this level of revenge in the Old Testament and operate on the love and forgiveness that we have received and pass it on to others. #BeTgeEdge
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 NIV
