THE STORY OF JESUS: Numbers 4-6
“The priest shall bring her and have her stand before the Lord… ‘May this bitter water that brings a curse not harm you.'” (Numbers 5:16,19)
In today’s reading I was struck by how the one accused of infidelity was dealt with (ch.5)
The husband was NOT free to judge his wife; it was for God to decide, using bitter water.
The innocent could drink the water without fear, because God knew the truth.
Or they would admit their guilt, fearful of experiencing the curse of their sin.
The key here is that they were NOT to be the judges, they were to let God be the judge!
We are so quick to pass judgment on others, as if we know the whole truth.
More than that, we take matters into our own hands by how we treat them, talk about them, hate them.
I recently felt that someone betrayed me, pushed me under the bus for something I didn’t do.
It has affected how I feel and act around them… but is my ‘judgment’ true, is it fair?
“You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.” (Romans 14:10)
How many of our ‘opinions’ are pre-judgments (or in Latin, pre-judice).
If I judge someone else based on my limited views, does that mean others can judge me the same way?
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Matthew 7:1-2)
May I be gracious to others as I need them and God to be to me… I have my own cup to drink from.
“Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup.” (1 Corinthians 11:28)
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, how can I judge others. Help me to see the cup in my own hands, and how I too need Your mercy.