We interrupt our usual book study for an "AHA" moment ....
Genesis Chapter 15. So much good stuff: God cuts covenant with Abram, The Seed and the land are promised, and then He foretells of Israel's Egyptian captivity. Which is wild because at this point, Abram is childless, doesn't yet have Isaac, who will then have Jacob, whose name will be changed to Israel and become a nation.) This was so over the top... mind-blowing. So much. So rich.
But in the middle of these riches that we could ponder for years, since the initial 'read-through', I get stuck in this little phrase: Genesis 15:16 says Israel will return to the land in the 4th generation for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete. I haven't been able to get this out of my head since I first read it last week.
The Amorites were wicked. When they have 'completed their iniquity', when it reaches the tipping point, when the cup of their sinfulness is 'maxed out', He will be "done" with them. His justice will be executed. I think we all find comfort in knowing that His justice will not be restrained forever.
I was also amazed at the mercy of God. He will bring Israel back into the land that He is promising Abram, but not until the Amorites iniquity is full. He is going to give them time and God is willing to let His children wait until then. God was staying His hand of justice, giving a literal 'grace period' for repentance, unless they would reach the point of no return... until their cup of iniquity was full. How merciful.
If it were not for His patient mercy with us, we would be hopelessly lost. If it were not for knowing that one day He will say "That's it - game over", we would lose heart with the wickedness around us.
I am sure I will be pondering this for a lonnnnggggg time.
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