# 460 God’s Justice is Much More Creative Than Yours

The Book of Genesis

Day 460

Ge 50:18 Then his brothers also went and fell down before his face, and they said, "Behold, we are your servants."  19 Joseph said to them, "Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God?  20 "But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.  21 "Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones." And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.

By my count, this is the third time the brothers have bowed to Joseph. These are the same brothers who, when told of Joseph’s dream mocked him and said, “Shall you indeed reign over us?” Well, here they are kneeling before Joseph with fear and trembling. They were sorry for their sins, and Joseph utters the words so often spoken by our Lord to His children, “Do not be afraid!” “Fear not!”

Then Joseph has a word for you and I whenever we might be tempted to avenge ourselves on others. It’s a word for those times when we are tempted to “get even.” Simply stated, we are not to play God!

As Paul wrote to the Romans:  “Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord.  20 Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head."  21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Ro 12:19-21,)

Just think about your puny attempts to get even with somebody who has wronged you. Do you really think you can do a better job at getting even than God? Do you think you could’ve gotten Joseph’s brothers  to bow down three times and admit his dream was right on?

In the Book of Esther, do you think you could have arranged the justice for Haman? Haman, if you recall, hatched a plot to kill all the Jews. He constructed gallows to hang Mordecai on, only to be hung there himself!

God’s justice is sure my friend and much more creative than anything you or I may dream up!  In addition, God’s goal of justice is much more long range than what you or I might come up with. His justice is always aimed at ultimate good. If you want to settle for second best, go ahead, but you do it at your own peril, for you are violating a command of the Lord and setting yourself up for some God-dished out judgment of your own!

Rather than seeking revenge, feed your enemy, give him drink, overcome his wickedness with good. Be forgiving, because that’s when you invite God into the situation and He will heap the coals of fire on your enemy’s head….and He knows just where to place them for the maximum benefit of all!