Acquired Gentleness

S

(Hebrews 5:2) He [the high priest] can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness.

O

"Beset with weakness" means to enclose a person with an inescapable awareness of his or her own inabilities. This resolves God's problem with human leaders: the higher He appoints and exalts people (verses 4, 5), the easier it is for them to become harsh with those who aren't as gifted or likeminded. Anyone who is lifted out of shame, ineptitude, or suffering is quick to create as much distance as possible from those things, sometimes by becoming intolerant or impatient with those who are still stuck there.

A

I have to stand in awe of God's wisdom, just as I also have to submit to it. Personal sicknesses, suffering, and insufficiency are necessary companions--temporary adversaries--who train me to deal gently and patiently with people who bug me. If I really want to prove my maturity, that I don't need besetting weakness, I should demonstrate gentleness with difficult people.

P

Lord, I submit to Your wisdom. Just as Israel, Paul--even Yourself--submitted to this training method (Deuteronomy 7:22; Hebrews, 12; 2 Corinthians 12) I will, too. I can because I trust You completely and I know the rest, peace, and wholeness that obedience to You provides.