Stepping Out

When I read the text for Sunday, Genesis 44:18-34, I was struck by the phrase, "then Judah stepped up to Joseph and said..." that shows Judah deciding to speak out to Joseph about Joseph wanting to detain Benjamin. My initial theme revolved around times in life when we have to "stand up" for our faith. I think that's a pretty important point for us to consider. Can you think of times when you have had to "stand up" or "step out" for your faith?

But, as I continued to work with the text, I also had this realization that Judah's action may have less to do with stepping out as an act of faith, and more to do with Judah trying to manipulate Joseph, or Judah responding to the guilt he felt. Much less about acting out of his faith, and much about acting out for other reasons. In fact, Old Testament scholar Walter Brueggeman makes the case that Judah clearly does not speak out as a faith statement.

So I am trying to figure out how to hold two different thoughts in tension with each other: the need we have to step out in faith and the reality that our actions are often dictated by less than faithful actions (in fact, sometimes what becomes a faithful act has less to do with the person acting than what God does with that). In other words, how do I call on faithful people to act out of their faith while acknowledging that we seldom get it right. The call to action might compel, but the reality check might make acting out seem pointless.

not sure where this is going to lead for Sunday's sermon.

Any thoughts out there?

peace,

Richard