Description
Read the full article online as a blog post (free):
https://fivehousepublishing.com/2021/04/13/wear-forgiveness-as-a-stellar-crown-like-jean-valjean-forever-remembered-in-the-night-sky-valjean-24601/
By William Van Zyl
Have you ever seen the Minor Planet Jean Valjean 24601? Probably not. Did you know that the protagonist in the famous novel Le Misérables earned a minor planet in his name? Here is the evidence from the International Astronomical Society. It has been sighted 1548 times. These observations stretch from 1951-08-08 to 2020-08-10 (the past 69 years). Why is this number so significant?
Also, don’t miss the 8 things listed that makes the novel a classic at the end of the article. The 8 areas contribute significantly to this very famous story. Intriguing indeed.
Screenshot from the International Astronomical Society’s website. Link: https://minorplanetcenter.net/db_search/show_object?object_id=24601
There is a bang on the door in the middle of the night.
The Bishop of Digne’s heart nearly stopped. “What on earth…” He opened the door.
“We’ve got him, this lying, conniving thief. We’ve got him. This time we are going to put him away for life.”
The police officers shoved the alleged thief into the room where the Bishop was standing. The officer placed a large bag in front of the Bishop. The bewildered eyes of the convict told a story of rejection and pain.
“Brother, you forgot to take the silver candlesticks. You were in a hurry, you left too early” said the Bishop.
Jean Valjean – the thief – was looking down shamefully. He then suddenly lifted his head. Jean was surprised and shocked at the same time; he witnessed how the Bishop of Digne (France) took his most valuable possession – the precious silver candlesticks on the table – and placed it in the bag with the other silverware he had stolen during the day from the church. Valjean kept his composure. He showed no emotion. The police officers were scanning the faces, every movement, every emotion.
The Bishop’s words are firm and convincing. “This man is no thief. He speaks the truth; I gave him the silverware, set him free,” said the Bishop.
The officers looked shocked; they followed the instruction. They unlocked Valjean’s shackles. Valjean rubbed his wrists.
He is free!
Valjean maintains his composure. His mind is racing – is this really happening? All he knows is the hate of this world, the dirty prison, and the bread he stole some 20 years ago. Being hungry got him arrested; the incident kept him in fetters and shackles for all these years. He has endeavoured to escape so many times.
—– ∞ —–
After Jean left the church, his famous soliloquy in the graveyard followed. You will probably recognise these scenes from the favourite movie (and musical) Le Misérables in the videos below. It is the turning point of the novel. This is the pivotal scene where everything changes for Valjean. After his forgiveness, he becomes a wealthy businessman and later the mayor of the local town. He becomes Monsieur Madeleine…
My sketchbook: A whimsical and loose interpretation of the younger Jean Valjean (ink and watercolours). Bewilder eyes, filled with pain and resentment after being behind bars for over 19 to 20 years. Prison number 24601. Credit: W Van Zyl (April 2021).
From my sketchbook: The famous French Writer Victor Hugo.
EXCERPT:
The most important things we have to consider from this story are:
-
You need kind and forgiving people in your life.
That is where the Bishop of Digne and the redemption of Valjean comes into play. Jean needed a person that showed him, love. Someone that gave him a second chance; someone had to set him up for success. He had absolutely nothing; the Bishop provided the venture capital for a new and fresh start. The focus here is not on a return but on an attitude to help others. Admirable!
-
People with resources could change your life; make friends for yourself.
Though Valjean probably did not target the church’s wealth, however, he knew where he could find loving and compassionate people. He needed friends to help him. Food, shelter, and protection. He found much more than that. He found forgiveness, love, care and a second chance. What a fantastic opportunity compared to the treatment he had received from the prison guards and the obsessive police officer Javert. Sometimes in life, we just need a good friend.
-
You have to establish trust.
Valjean had no intention to establish trust. In fact, all he experienced was the hate of this world. The gruesome, brutal and hostile treatment had hardened his heart. The treatment in prison was atrocious. Valjean destroys the trust of the Bishop by stealing his silverware from the church. However, a fantastic turn of events unfolds – the Bishop places his unwavering confidence in Valjean. This is where everything changes for Jean. He decided to reciprocate the trust. He returns to his soul. He asks for forgiveness, and he receives it. View the intense soliloquy to see his change of heart.
-
You have to be confident and consistent.
Valjean had to be confident when he used his newfound wealth to start his manufacturing business. He had to impress the local community and treated them with respect. He had to model the way as a trustworthy and reliable person. Eventually, he is promoted to the mayor of his local town. Valjean couldn’t fake it as a caring employer. He had to be the real deal. He lived a fully transparent life caring for the sick and the poor. He had a heart for people that included his employees.
-
You have to be humble and display a servant’s heart.
Valjean had to serve the community as a humble servant. His past kept him humble – he knew where he came from. He treated his employees and friends with respect. For example, he cared for Cosette, the daughter of the dying Fantine.
-
Serve the community.
Jean had to come up with a plan that would benefit the community. His business idea had to be compatible with the needs and skills of the citizens in the town. He did precisely that – he served the community with his wealth. It was about the people and their needs.
-
Ignore the accusing voice of the enemy.
Satan will always condemn us. Years after we had been set free and fully forgiven, the enemy will come unexpectedly and remind us of our past. We have to ignore the voice of the evil one. Speak life, freedom and blessing over your life! Javert – the police officer who showed no mercy – is a type of the enemy (Satan). The Devil will always come back and haunt us with our past, irrespective of the fact that we have repented and that we are forgiven – just like Javert – the enemy is relentless. The Devil wants to strip us of our confidence; he wants to destroy us. We have to be strong. It is written:
“Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you.”
Conclusion:
Moses, the leader of the Israelites, walked the desert for 40 years. I am convinced that the enemy reminded him of the Egyptian he had murdered all those years ago when he fled Egypt as an Egyptian prince. The Devil most probably reminded him of how he buried the man after killing him on many occasions. However, Moses was forgiven. He showed remorse. God forgave him. Moses humbled himself and became a servant to God and his people. God then elevated him to the position of leader of the Israelites. In fact, God chose Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt’s land – the House of Slavery. God showed himself mightily supporting Moses. For example, the ten plagues in Egypt, water out of the rock, manna and quail in the desert, the ten commandments, and the parting of the Red Sea.
Do you have sins, transgressions or iniquities? There is God in heaven who is loving, caring and forgiving. He is a merciful God, and He is willing and ready to forgive. Perhaps you feel like Jean Valjean; there is forgiveness available – at the Cross. Reach out.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 KJV
So, if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36 NIV
