Unkind In-kind

Have you ever been so confident that you were in the right that you didn't fear retaliation?

The Lord GOD has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, I did not turn backward. I gave my back to those who struck me, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I did not hide my face from insult and spitting. The Lord GOD helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame; he who vindicates me is near. - Isaiah 50:5-8

In today's reading, Isaiah says he is not afraid.  He stands up to his adversaries and takes their insults and abuse without flinching, knowing God is with him.

Who does that?

Most of us would want to respond in kind.  An eye for an eye.  But Isaiah sounds a lot like Jesus here.  Turn the other cheek.

If we truly believe that when we walk in God's light and do His will, He will support us and thwart those who stand in the way of justice and truth, then what actions should we take when confronted?

Should we let them be, leaving them to God to deal with?  Or should we take action against them, call them out, oppose and resist?

If we seek to be an example of peace, do we do that by force?

It is interesting to me how we can have the same objective in mind, and yet have totally different views on how to achieve it, all the time believing we are doing God's will. 

Of course no one knows God's will, so we start off with a false premise, and that's the rub here.  Isaiah, the prophet, believes he knows, and yet we hear what we want to hear in his words.

So, how do we deal with our adversaries? 

Most of the time, we resort to being unkind, giving them back what they toss our way.  An eye for an eye, and then some.

I guess we are just stubborn that way.

More to come...