I want to just say before you go any further, what I am focusing on for the next couple of weeks is tough, the act of betrayal that creates loss is profoundly painful, whether at times we are willing to admit it or not. Betrayal can manifest in various forms-from broken promises and lies to deceitful actions that shatter trust. Whether it comes from a close friend, a romantic partner, husband, wife or even a colleague, the pain of betrayal can be excruciating. It leaves us feeling vulnerable, questioning our judgement, self worth and struggling to rebuild our trust in others.

I love the etymology of words. A light can shine through and give meaning to a whole new concept of what we are truly looking at, helping us to further understand ourselves and the current situation we may find ourselves in.

As I always do, I question, everything! Especially while talking to God. Why? What does this mean, and what am I suppose to do with it all? Most times I understand that I don’t understand and the deeper the dive, the more I realize I am at a depth that only God is able to supply the oxygen and the light I need to survive.

As always, my first go to, is the American dictionary, take your pick, I used Dictionary.com, it’s easy and right at my finger tips on my phone. According to dictionary.com, the word betray means; to expose, to be unfaithful, to disappoint, to deceive, misguide, or corrupt. to seduce and desert. The word stems from the Middle English word bitraien, from Old French, and also from the latin, tradere. In the end notes, further research highlights the word traitor. Now, most of us already know this definition, I get it. Where it the light begins to shine is when I go to my Hebrew/Greek dictionaries and the real digging begins.

I will start with the Greek form of the word, and then the Hebrew, I believe the mysterious Hebrew language of God ties things together and brings light to a very painful subject matter. The Greek word for betray is paradidomi; to hand over and deliver up, faithlessness, disloyal, betrayer, it can also mean allowing something to be done, or handed over to something other than what was intended, or should be. Interesting, so hold that thought. Next we look at the word In Hebrew, begad; to act or deal treacherously. The dive goes deeper, as I read on a discover the primitive root word, which is galah; to denude, (make naked), a verb meaning to reveal, to be revealed, to uncover, to remove, go into exile, to reveal ones self. It is usually used in a sentence with words meaning eyes and ears. It also means to reveal and expose. On occasion it is used to uncover the nakedness of, which often implies sexual relations. Please stay with me.

God in his infinite wisdom never ceases to amaze me on my journey. Going back to the greek word paradidomi, the disloyal betrayer, faithlessness, and the handing over. These words all describe a person, the one doing the act. Not the one who has been betrayed. Going back to the Hebrew and the root word, these words describe something completely different. To reveal to uncover, to expose, and to lay naked, and are usually used with the words ear and eyes, formulating how it came to light. These words show a revelation into a situation.

My point, what if we choose to look at a gut wrenchingly painful situation, as Joesph did in God’s word, when he spoke to his brothers about their betrayal. . He didn’t retaliate, he merely said to them, “you intended to harm me, but God intended it for good, to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” Genesis 50:20. You see Joseph’s brothers’, tossed him in a well, which started a series of difficult and painful events, that lead him to the point, when he confronts his brothers’ about their betrayal, (not to mention they thought him dead). So you can imagine when God lead all his brothers’ back to him, what they thought. What if God, in his wisdom, allowed this very betrayal in my life and yours to bring, about good in our lives, what is seen as evil, God will use for our good. Exposing the betrayer for the part they played in the action, and exposing the act to set the stage for change. The Hebrew in this verse traces its meaning to weave or plate, “you wove evil, but God straightened it out. The path can be crooked at times and painful. But God says he will always turn it towards the good for you and I. So I will look at this betrayal, as a stepping stone and a bittersweet blessing, knowing that the hard things of this world, are all in His hands, and sometimes out of mine.

Betrayal and loss forces us to change, how we proceed is our choice. But for me I choose to be guided and led by the hand of a Savior who intends good, by sometimes allowing the tragedies of life to enter.