RSS

Enjoy Life, Enjoy God


Dale Patterson

THE WASH

December 21, 2009

I'm sure my grandmother was troubled about inequities in the world, in our family, in the immediate neighborhood. Yet I remember her taking some comfort in a country proverb, "It will all come out in the wash." Meaning, inequities and iniquity will get its due.

Then the king gave the order to Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and he went out and struck Shimei down and he died. The kingdom was now established in Solomon's hands.

- 1 Kings 2:46 TNIV

Good news comes to us in different vehicles--sometimes a happy ending, and sometimes a stern but truthful gift. This is the latter. 1 Kings 2 records a sad truth. It's Solomon's street-cleaning of all of his father's enemies (King David), traitors, and those who were deceitful in their dealings with the former king. Not only sobering, but a nasty tale, yet it contains a stern truth to encourage us.

Hearing the stories of fallen celebrities, inequity and iniquity, the truth is like grandma said, "It will all come out in the wash..." sooner or later. My grandmother's truth is echoed in Numbers 32:23: "...You may be sure that your sin will find you out." It's good news because it's true, and we are invited to live today accordingly.
Joyfully,

Dale Patterson