We Forgive, They Forget

2 Kings 6:23

So he prepared a great feast for them, and after they had finished eating and drinking, he sent them away, and they returned to their master. So the bands from Aram stopped raiding Israel’s territory.

In our Couple’s Lifegroup last Monday, we had this discussion question: Are you prone to dreaming about the ‘perfect revenge encounter’?  Like pushing yourself to wealth and fame in order to shame all those who insulted and disregarded you. Or striving to be very beautiful so that your next encounter with you ex will resound a loud ‘It’s your loss!’ These are pale compared of course to those who will literally put a snare to destroy their offenders. But passively or aggressively, the Bible still have one word for that: grudge. And the antidote? The good in us will say: ‘Forgive and let it go’. But God says, ‘Forgive and let love.’

When the king of Aram sent his army to capture Elisha, God - being on Israel’s side - turned the situation around so that the pursuers helplessly found themselves prisoners. It was the perfect stage for revenge. And no one would blame them for it was Aram who initiated the fight, the king of Israel had one thing in mind and sought the prophet’s go signal ‘Shall I kill them, my father? Shall I kill them?’  From the abundance of his heart, his mouth speaketh - twice! It may be humanity’s law not to kill captives, but who cares about rules when you’re face to face with the offenders? But Elisha knew better how God treats an enemy – not by repaying evil for evil, but by overcoming evil with good. He called that food and drinks be served before them, and to set them free rightafter. A lost opportunity by world’s standard, but it gained them peace, at least meantime. For in just two verses down, forgiveness was forgotten, and Aram was back against them. I imagine the king’s ‘I told you so’. But as always, God’s love has this say: ‘Regardless’.

It takes selflessness to forgive one offense. At second blow, it calls for maturity. But on the third and fourth to seventh, we’re marked martyrs. Reach twenty and some will promote you as saint. But God’s standard is seventy - - times seven! That’s an implied four hundred ninety hurts. That’s forgiveness though with a full knowledge that they’ll be back at our doors in no time. That’s Jesus at the cross bearing all insults and injuries for us who will repeatedly disown and dishonor Him. And we won’t hear Him say, ‘It’s okay. I’ll forgive you. I’ll let that pass.’ Instead He will look past our sins, care for our needs, and lovingly say, ‘You’ll be okay. You’re forgiven. This too shall pass.’ If the Most High can selflessly do that for us, cancelling our debt of ten thousand bags of gold, how dare we not forgive a neighbor who owes us a hundred silver? Isn’t it more costly and consuming to plant revenge? Surely, they will forget. That’s not new. But to love and forgive. That’s what Jesus would do - to and through you.