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Man’s Revenge vs God’s Vengeance
Every year, and in every sport, there are “revenge stories”. In my state of NC, the first game of the season Sam had Darnold playing the NY Jets. Last year he was the QB for the Jets. This year the Panthers won. According to the announcers, usually the player seeking “revenge” in their first meeting, or put more nicely the player seeking to prove the former team wrong for giving up on him, that player loses. Revenge games bring out overwrought emotions.
The Bible has much to say about personal revenge and leaving it up to God (Romans 12). Why?
1. Revenge can bring out our worse.
2. Revenge can be brought down on the wrong person.
3. Revenge can be ill-timed.
4. Revenge can be disproportionate.
5. Revenge can be illegal.
6. Revenge can bring out my own unholy past.
7. Revenge is not perfect, nor complete, or final. Seven symbolizes perfection, and since revenge is never perfect but can lead to re-revenge, let’s stop here since seven represents everything revenge is not.
So why leave vengeance up to God?
1. Vengeance brings out the necessary in God. Not punishing sin would make God unjust which would be worse that the sin and punishment.
2. Vengeance from God is never inflicted because the wrong door got kicked in. Collateral damage is the fault of the perpetrator.
3. Vengeance is based God’s patience, not impetuous, uncontrolled, outbursts. When immediate done by God, it is necessary.
4. Vengeance can be disproportionate. This is where I struggle with God’s vengeance. Then I remind myself of how I can’t see the consequences of my sins or revenge. Only God can see how far reaching sin is, even for generations upon generations.
5. Vengeance from God cannot be illegal since he is the ultimate law.
6. Vengeance comes from God’s holy perfection. Every parent who even rightfully punishes, can recollect their own faults. That doesn’t mean they shouldn’t follow through to protect their children from later infractions. It just means there is a tinge of guilt.
7. Vengeance from God is perfect, complete, and final. Seven represents all that so let’s stop here.
Revenge games, and other forces and times, are strong motivators, sometimes bringing out our best and more often our worse. Only God’s perfect vengeance brings out the humanly unthinkable – bringing it upon himself in the form of the cross.
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