Wow, that is really interesting. Will take me some time to really process the depth of what you shared.
I just see that I put too much confidence in what I thought I knew than in Yeshua and just plain scripture. It’s interesting to talk, but maybe sometimes people are better off just sitting with God and their concerns to wait on His timing to learn than seeking immediate answers. (which I was way too quick to assume I could provide sometimes.)
My impatience also impacted me in that my seeking became more about my thinking or doing than God. I do think this belief system can sometimes, inadvertently focus on works too much for me. My focus was trying to make something happen that I have to wait on Yeshua to do whether in my home or in terms of
. I can trust Him more than I was, and I can know if He’s long-suffering, so should I be.
I’ve settled more with not trying to make the world into something it’s not and just being grateful that He will do all He says in His timing while working on the things He shows me to do.
At the same time, I still do have more regard than most believers for the totality of the faith we’ve inherited. I’m just more gentle to reframe things and fear being even remotely condemning about it now.
The way Scripture reads (years, decades,…in a page or two and an overview of thousands of people’s experience) can make it seem like how did “they”….we see God’s perspective of vasts numbers of people struggling with unity, opinions, fears, over long periods of time …..we don’t tend to realize His perspective on us is likely much the same just because we aren’t Him and we also just aren’t looking at ourselves on the same level of “we”.
As individuals we know why we responded certain ways so we tend to underestimate our own foolishness and it’s reach on a broader level. We just forget the same humanity is behind other peoples mistakes. The way the Bible reads from G-d’s perspective goes even more over our heads that way I think.
We still also strive with focusing on self even as we have the benefit of all of scripture and a guarantee of an indwelling of the Spirit to help us put to death the flesh. There’s a reason Yeshua could raise the bar regarding the commandments - we can stop sin in our hearts through Him to actually serve God in truth without the fleshly motivations we can’t otherwise overcome.
But it’s easy to criticize and focus on the flaws of a people especially those who documented them for everyone to read….I just think many Christians really don’t realize how they can come across belittling of Israel because they really don’t understand. They’re perplexed and dumbfounded to the point they forget we’re talking about human nature, which we all can relate to. They forget and then without intent, elevate their own selves and so put down.
Anyway, instead of assuming it’s mall intent or getting defensive, i just gently point out ways we are similar based on what’s happening today if I hear some of that. I’ve yet to hear anyone not soften their heart and see we are not in a position to condemn. It’s never been anything but realization, and it’s never required discussion either, just observation. But that wouldn’t happen if I was being condemning of them for not knowing or seeing what they just weren’t because they couldn’t.
I was too condemning of fellow believers or just harsh in responses to people’s struggle here and there thinking I could see more than I can or assuming more then I can about them and their heart. We don’t have to be ill willed or malicious to be wrong just because we’re so human. I don’t listen to people who love the Lord without also assuming He’s teaching and guiding them, and it’s not for me to decide where they should be when I’m not even where I need to be and when no one can yet be where He says we have to be. I just pray for all of our lack of understanding and need.
I just think He wants me to be more gentle and careful with people, and to be hopeful and convicted in truth but not expect too much of the world or underestimate His work and way in any other person who professes Him as God and Savior and loves God and others. I believe we can accomplish His will through Him, so I don’t push to get ahead of Him. And He is long-suffering.
At the same time I do regard all of the scripture as relevant and necessary, and just kind of live my own learning without being harsh or judgmental forgetting the weightier matters about it though. But that’s all other believers can do too. He taught me this, and He’s teaching me constantly, so who am I to decide what one of His should know or be learning when I know all we can do is learn anyway? They’re not ready for some of what I’ve come to know, and I’m not ready for some of what they have come to know. But we still set the example if we do what we know. I just trust Him. We all have so much to learn and unlearn. I really believe in what He can do so am much more careful in assuming He’s working in the hearts of His followers and I need to watch out not to stifle that in any way.
- there are 70 faces to 
