Depending upon the life experiences that you have encountered over the years, you may or may not understand evil. Unfortunately, when the public education system in America kicked God and prayer out of the classroom in the 1960’s, new levels of evil are unleashed daily upon this country. If you do not possess spiritual lenses for identifying and making sense of evil, you’ll blame the victims of evil and not the spiritual source for these unfortunate events.
For how can I go up to my father if the lad is not with me?—lest I witness the woe and the evil that will come upon my father, Genesis 44:34.
Based upon the words of Moses in Genesis 38:1-30, Judah experienced a series of curses which many individuals would call a string of bad luck. Moses points to Judah’s choice for a wife as the starting point, emphasizing good looks over godly character. Two of Judah’s sons have their lives cut struck due to evil behavior. While modern readers of Genesis 38 may wonder, what’s wrong with this, each failed to follow God’s commands and decrees.
In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides]. 11 Put on God’s whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil. 12 For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere, Ephesians 6:10-12.
Subsequently, as he realizes the wrongdoing of his past, Judah pleads with the governor of Egypt to consider the promise and vow made to his father. Judah’s emotional plea is rewarded in Genesis 45 as Jospeh reveals his true identity. This Old Testament story reminds me of the words of the apostle Paul in the passage above. Paul touches on the real source of evil. While the Devil wants you to place the blame on other human beings, encountering evil starts with invisible forces in the spiritual realm. May today’s blog open your eyes the next time you encounter evil.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 