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NASB | Genesis 50:20 "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Genesis 50:20 "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present outcome, that many people would be kept alive [as they are this day]. |
Subject: Resymbolism? |
Bible Note: Yes. It is said that everyone, not only a Christian, rationalizes at times. It serves not only to protect the ego but to give meaning to the events of life. Sometimes life is weird and difficult to deal with. A problem is apparent when that mechanism is used too much as it were to avoid reality. Again, if a person has God's perspective, they find it easier to deal with unpleasant circumstances or things they would not understand otherwise. One may say it is the way a believer is expected to live, "while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things that are not seen". Brother J. Alan Blair says we should live in light of eternity, and Brother K.P. Yohannan asks us to pray that God would stamp eternity on our eyes. God inhabits eternity and that would be his perspective. When the world hates us, Jesus says it is normal, and when we suffer for righteousness’ sake we are told we should accept it because… Back to the case of Joseph though, his perspective is given in hindsight. “God meant it”. One wonders whether he knew all along that God had a plan. Jesus knew what to do and how to accept the events of his life because he knew what had been written and that it must be fulfilled. He acted often just so the Scriptures would be fulfilled, and after the fact he would say that is the way it had to be. I have not read Joe Stowell’s book, but the sentiment rings true to Scripture. Man’s goings are of the Lord, how then can he know his own way? I think we are like Job and like Solomon. If God’s will is not apparent in the events of life, then they make no sense at all. But if we can see his will in his word and apply it to our lives, then all is well. That is one reason we should search the word, to see the meaning in the events of life even before they happen. If we are not familiar with the word we may not be able to see God’s perspective, and we may not be able to apply the right principles. Without the word we are forced to invent reasons why things happen, and it may be to excuse our own behavior. But if we life by the word and it provides explanations, that seems entirely satisfactory and satisfying. Jesus told us life would be hard, so if we can face difficulty without being surprised by it and “think it not strange” it will help. All in all it seems there is a scriptural form rationalization. Some may call it philosophizing. Some may call it resymbolization. I'd say if it makes proper use of Scripture it is OK, whatever they may call it. |