Steadfast (Proper A19)

The LORD works vindication and justice for all who are oppressed. He made known
his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel. The LORD is merciful and
gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always
accuse, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according
to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.

The psalmist sums up this week’s readings with a worshipful poetry. Moses and all of Israel see the mercy, grace and steadfast love of God in their deliverance from the Egyptians. What deeds! What marvelous works! Oh, but my words fail me, if I am to describe his works on Sunday, I would pray the words of the Psalm.

When Israel went out from Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of strange language,
Judah became God's sanctuary, Israel his dominion.
The sea looked and fled; Jordan turned back.
The mountains skipped like rams, the hills like lambs.
Why is it, O sea, that you flee? O Jordan, that you turn back?
O mountains, that you skip like rams? O hills, like lambs?
Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the God of Jacob, who turns the rock into a pool of water, the flint into a spring of water.

Joseph shows the mercy of God. He forgives his brothers and promises to take care of them. Though they feel like his enemies he seems to say ‘Don’t you know that you are forgiven?’ The tears they share give us a glimpse, a revelation, into the emotions of God. How lovely you are to me my dear Lord!

Paul reminds us that we too should be slow to anger and not pass judgment on our brothers and sisters. They will one day stand before the judgment seat of God. He is very good at vengeance as the Egyptians know, and very good at unearned rewards as the Israelites know.

Jesus tells Peter that since God is so gracious a forgiver of men we too aught to forgive each other. We not only should pay God back with love and worship, but his gift is so massive that we aught to pay our fellows in kind as well.