Josh Duggar’s Brothers-In-Law Talk Forgiveness, Mercy
Josh Duggar has recently been released from his treatment for “porn addiction,” and with viewing audiences wondering where he is and what he’s doing, two brothers-in-law have spoken out about the value of mercy and forgiveness. Expressing and calling for forgiveness has been a theme for the family throughout the very public series of scandals, relating to the revelation of Josh’s crimes as a minor and his secret dating site account as an adult. The husbands of two of Josh’s sisters are the latest to add their voices.
The Duggar family has returned to television after a brief hiatus, and the first season of their new show soon comes to a close. New scandals continue to rock the brand; the religious leadership the Duggar family has been connected to since the 90s has lost its accreditation with an evangelical accountability organization, other reality stars have distanced themselves from it, and allegations of sexual abuse continue to come against the former leader of the sect.
Before the police reports regarding Josh Duggar’s alleged molestation of several young girls was publicly released, his wife posted about forgiveness on Instagram. Since then, his sisters have spoken about forgiveness on multiple occasions, most recently when Joy and Jessa Duggar both told People magazine that they had forgiven Josh, but that rebuilding trust would take time.
Earlier this week, Jill’s husband, Derick Dillard, tweeted a Bible reference.
If you are looking for your purpose in life, just check out Micah 6:8. #purpose #whyamihere #truth
— Derick Dillard (@derick4Him) April 5, 2016
Via Bible Gateway, the KJV text of this verse is as follows.
“He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?”
Thus, a tweet by Josh’s brother-in-law indicates that his purpose in life should center around, in part, mercy and being just.
On Saturday, Ben Seewald, husband of Josh’s sister Jessa, also posted on Instagram on Saturday, speaking of the value of forgiveness.
“Priceless is the value of salvation…forgiveness–someone to take the penalty for our sin upon Himself.”
Though Ben’s post referenced Biblical forgiveness and salvation, rather than forgiveness between people, it was one more instance of a Duggar family member bringing up forgiveness and lauding it as a virtue or otherwise valuable quality.
Michelle Duggar says her son Josh is continuing to receive counseling following his release from rehabilitation, and that he’s now living in Arkansas again and working to rebuild relationships with the family.
Though there are no formal declarations, Hollywood Gossip notes that insiders have said Josh plans to lie low for now, then go on a formal speaking tour, after which he could return to television with the rest of the Duggar family. According to LA Times, TLC’s Nancy Daniels says there are no plans to further televise Duggar lives, but stopped short of saying that the network had decided not to air further Duggar specials, or even another series.
Notably, after TLC initially removed 19 Kids and Counting, after the police reports were released in which Josh Duggar was reported to have molested five girls, four of whom were his sisters, the network stayed closely involved with the family. Some shots filmed for the Counting On series appear to have been taken during the period of time in which TLC was still saying it would only be three special episodes.
It’s also noteworthy that Josh and Anna Duggar’s official Facebook page, which was deactivated during the last round of scandals, is active again, though the couple has not resumed posting to it. This may hint at plans to return to public life after the last episode of the current season of Counting On airs.
If the family is again calling publicly for forgiveness of Josh Duggar, it may indicate either further plans, or hopes for more time in the spotlight.
[Image via TLC]
