the wisdom of gamaliel

Been listening to Acts during the work commute recently* and keep coming across one of those passages that just hits home. I know there are lots of more popular and well-known verses that hit on that aspect of God's power working through our methods and such, but I am struck by Gamaliel's words in 5:35-39 every time I hear them. The guy had uncommon wisdom. Observe Acts 5:33-40, which takes place during one of the many times the apostles were dragged before some or other council for spreading the gospel, and just after Peter had worn out his welcome in the councilors' presence.

When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them. But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in honor by all the people, stood up and gave orders to put the men outside for a little while. And he said to them, "Men of Israel, take care what you are about to do with these men. For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. After him Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew away some of the people after him. He too perished, and all who followed him were scattered. So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!" So they took his advice, and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. [emphasis added]

That central theme still holds true as much now as it did then. I'm a big believer in the idea that truth will eventually be known by all, no matter how much it is suppressed or avoided at the present. So why worry when people scoff at you, slander you, try to embarrass you, or otherwise attempt to make your life less pleasant by employing less-than-honorable tactics? If they're right then you're simply getting your due, regardless of how the messenger delivers it. But if they're wrong, then they're opposing truth, and in doing so they're opposing God. They'll get their reward in full; whether or not we're able to give it or be there to see them receive it is of no consequence.

Especially these days (in politics but elsewhere too), I often hear mumbles and gripes to the effect that folks actually hope this or that action or group or cause or whathaveyou fails. Not hoping for their own success, I mean, but more hoping that the other side falls flat. I suspect this is more for their own self-interest than their desire to really see people either helped somehow or thrown into misery, and so once again, the desire to be seen as having been "right all along" trumps the desire to actually be righteous and work for good. But I can't help but wonder, why the wasted effort hoping for failure on the part of others? Just strive for what's right and leave it at that.

Gamaliel understood this I think. If a plan ultimately goes against the laws of the world (i.e. God's law) then it will ultimately fail; it's just a matter of how delayed and how spectacular the failure will be. But if a plan is based in truth and carried out in accordance with that truth, then it will ultimately succeed. This will always hold, regardless of who among us is on what side and who makes the most noise, or even which side appears for a moment to be "right" or victorious. In the end it makes no difference. Truth will find its way through anything. And so we ought to stick to our principles and do our best to be on the side of truth at all times, and not simply be supporting or opposing something for the sake of self-interest.

I guess the point is, a lot of this posturing we see around us is so frackin' pointless. What, are people going to fool God and the rest of the world both? Fat chance. Let them carry on and sow their own harvest. Life has a funny way of rewarding behavior in kind, you know. Methinks we're better off letting truth run its course then getting worked up about slights against us, recognition not credited to us, arrogance around us, etc. Such reactions just get in the way of living life the way it ought to be lived.

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* I've found that listening to Scripture is a good way to pass the time if traffic gets tough, and it's not so much "wasted" time then. (It hasn't yet helped much with my disposition toward road rage, but hopefully that'll come with time.) Unfortunately, my attention span being what it is--that is to say, nonexistent--I'm not able to glean a lot by just listening to something without reading it or writing it as well. But I figure if I listen to the same few chapters a few times during the week, I'll come away with more than I started with at least.