That her death would bring life . . .

Genesis 27; Esther 3; Matthew 26; Acts 26

Last night I took the link to my sister’s obituary page. Painful. This is happening. Made today not a great day to read about plots and betrayals, about one brother swindling another, about a man who didn’t get the homage he wanted from one Jew so he hatched a plot to destroy all the Jews, about the Jews in the New Testament plotting to kill Jesus and about them doing the same with the Apostle Paul. I’ve had enough bad news and hoped for something encouraging.

God does not let me down. He is amazing. In each story, the Bible shows His power in using these plots and devious schemes for His purposes.

In the case of Jacob and Esau, God could have arranged to have Jacob born first, Instead, Esau is born first, but Jacob is chosen. His lineage was important, but God’s sovereign, intervening choosing is more important than mere human seniority. God had a plan even as these two wrestled in the womb then later fought over birthrights and blessings.

As for the story in Esther, the evil Haman hatched a plot too, but God (whose name is not mentioned in this book) had a plan too. He showed His sovereign power as the story unfolds. Instead of putting Mordecai on the gallows he built for him, Haman was executed on those same gallows. God’s grace toward His people is more powerful than any human plan.

In Matthew 26, Judas sells his master. Jesus prays in agony in Gethsemane, then is arrested and betrayed by a kiss. He is condemned and brutalized. To make this even worse, Peter disowns Jesus just as Jesus said he would. Yet God remains in sovereign control. All of this is leading to Jesus giving His life for all the failures, pain and sin of the world:

The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. (Matthew 20:28)

As for Paul, he could have been set free . . .

And when they had withdrawn, they said to one another, “This man is doing nothing to deserve death or imprisonment.” And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.” (Acts 26:31–32)

But being free was not in God’s plan for Paul. His appeal brings him to declare the Gospel at the heart of the Empire and from there to the ends of the earth.

Now for me and my numbness over this death. It seems unreal, but real, final, yet I know my sister is alive with Jesus.

So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:6–8)

God’s plan is that all His people be united with Him in glory. As for the ‘why her?’ and ‘why now?’ questions, is He going to do something to show His great love and power on this earth through the seemingly untimeliness of her passing? That was her hope and it is mine also. My prayer is that because of her life and because of the service on which she wanted Christ to be honored, that lives would be changed. I think of family and friends who do not know God or whose hearts have strayed away and I pray . . .

“Answer me, O LORD, answer me, that this people may know that you, O LORD, are God, and that you have turned their hearts back.” (1 Kings 18:37)

History = His Story

Those guilty of a crime often plead not guilty hoping for a lenient judge or jury and a good lawyer. Occasionally, the plea fits the truth. Last spring, a semi-trailer sped through a stop sign and hit a bus filled with players and support staff of a hockey team. Many of them died in the crash. Others were badly injured. Grief gripped even those who didn’t know any of them personally. The truck driver was not injured.

Last week, his plea was entered. He decided the families had suffered enough without going through the grief of a trial. He pleaded guilty to all charges and awaits sentencing. From what he said, this did not seem like a hope for leniency. It was more like he knew he could not fix what happened but he did not want to make it any worse.

The sadness I’ve felt about this terrible incident has not diminished, but a measure of respect rises for the man who should have been paying attention to the road signs. He did the worst possible and now wants to do the best possible. He illustrates a quality that more of us should have.

In the New Testament, the last of the Herod dynasty was Herod Agrippa II (A.D. 50–100). He appears at with the trial of Paul before Festus in Caesarea. Paul was accused by the Jews and appealed to his right as a Roman citizen to be heard by Caesar. Festus heard what he had to say, then called Agrippa and told him:

“But when Paul had appealed to be kept in custody for the decision of the emperor, I ordered him to be held until I could send him to Caesar.” Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I would like to hear the man myself.” “Tomorrow,” said he, “you will hear him.” (Acts 25:21–22)

This Herod was not a believer in Jesus Christ but he had more integrity as a leader than his father and grandfather, at least in this case. He was willing to listen to Paul and determine for himself whether the man was guilty or not. Because of his willingness to listen, Paul was able to tell this king the story of his conversion. This reveals a quality that more Christians should have — I wonder if I have Paul’s kind of courage?

Then Agrippa and Festus discussed the matter.

And when they had withdrawn, they said to one another, “This man is doing nothing to deserve death or imprisonment.” And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.” (Acts 26:31–32)

Agrippa upheld the prisoner’s wishes and sent him on to Rome. Paul “lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.” (Acts 28:30–31)

Through the actions of all three Herods, the plan of God advanced; the cruelty of Herod the Great, the ambivalence of his son, and the decisions of this grandson. Again, this gives me great comfort as it shows the sovereignty of the Lord as history unfolds. Even when human decisions are negative. God is able to work them for His purposes and give voice to the Gospel in unexpected places.

^^^^^^^^^^^

Lord Jesus, You are still involved in current events. At times I can see Your grace in the actions of your people, but even when I cannot, Your Word is assurance that You are not oblivious to what is going on and certainly not standing aloof. Your purposes may not be completely clear to me, but Your power and goodness is clear and I can rest in the glory of who You are and what You can do. Grant me the courage to speak up whenever You give the opportunities!