Offensive and Mean
Is being offensive really a thing we do to others?
We are mean when we do things that are mean. In other words, we do these things knowing we are being mean when we do them.
But we can offend without intending it.
Meanness is an action. Offense is a response.
One is lashing out, the other is taking in.
Kindness is not keeping others from taking offense. Kindness actually works best by deciding not to take offense myself.
And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.” And he said, “Go, and say to this people:
“‘Keep on hearing, but do not understand;
keep on seeing, but do not perceive.’
Make the heart of this people dull,
and their ears heavy,
and blind their eyes;
lest they see with their eyes,
and hear with their ears,
and understand with their hearts,
and turn and be healed.”
Isaiah's Commission from the Lord
Isaiah 6:8-10 (ESV)
This commission ought to confuse us. Shouldn’t Isaiah’s purpose for declaring to the people words from God have been to open the people’s eyes and ears?
Leave your comments below.
Seems the Lord is “shaking the dust off his feet” for those who will not believe, and leaving a remnant of those who will. This is a difficult passage; probably not often heard from the pulpit.