Thursday: Vengeance
Daily Lesson for Thursday 28th of August 2025
“Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord’ ” (Romans 12:19, ESV; see also Deuteronomy 32:35).
What promise and command are found in these verses, and how are they closely related?
Image © Educational Concepts Collection at Goodsalt.com
Until the Lord brings the justice so lacking now, it was the duty of the judges in ancient Israel to implement the law and to determine a just punishment when harm or injury occurred. But they needed the facts first. The problem was that the teachers of the law in Christ’s time applied this law in a way that opened the door for personal vengeance. By doing so, the principle was taken out of its context, and the initial purpose was missed. Consequently, they were defending what the law actually forbade.
Read Matthew 6:4,6; Matthew 16:27; Luke 6:23; and 2 Timothy 4:8. What do these texts tell us about how Jesus viewed the principles of reward and punishment?
Jesus was not against the principle of reward and punishment. Justice is a matter of principle; it is a crucial part of life. However, no individual is to take the role of judge, jury, and “executioner” upon himself or herself. How easy it would be for us to pervert justice! It is not up to us to repay harm. If some evil is to be addressed, this must be performed by an objective court; it is the work of judges.
In this context Jesus tells us to be as perfect as our “Father in heaven is perfect.” How can we be as perfect as God Himself? Unselfish love is the overarching characteristic of God. He teaches His followers how to love their enemies and to pray for those who persecute them. True perfection is to love, to be forgiving, and to be merciful (Luke 6:36), even to those who do not deserve it. This principle, and the actions it leads to, is what it means to reflect God’s character.
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What are ways in which, day by day, we can learn to love in the way that we are commanded to? Why does this always involve a death to self? |
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.....Vengeance is Mine, and recompense...[Deuteronomy 32:3]
I get a little jittery when this verse is quoted in public or from the pulpit, as it's often said from a point of anger and revenge. It seems like we're ordering God to do His job and keep His promises. Sometimes, it's used in a "You-See!" moment, implying that something horrible happened to a "horrible" someone because of their "horrible" actions.
A high school experience still resonates with me. A classmate, Mark, died after being bitten by a black mamba. Then some classmates, and members of the Christian Union club claimed he deserved to die for rejecting God, quoting "Vengeance is mine, says the Lord" to justify their remarks. They had preached to Mark, they claimed, but he was non-committal to "get saved". This portrayal of God as intolerant stuck with me, and it has made me question the use of this verse in other similar contexts, as, this may not be the only case; I have had some not very pleasant experience with the use of this text as well as Romans 12:19.
I wonder if we're measuring God's actions based on our own understanding of what He promised. Doesn't it sound awkward or even wrong when we try to dictate God's actions or limit Him to our perspective? Shouldn't we instead trust in His sovereignty and wisdom, rather than trying to fit Him into our own framework?
The prophets, like Habakkuk, struggled with God's ways too. Habakkuk debated with God over His inactivity amidst corruption and injustice in Israel. God's response, to partner with the "wicked" Chaldeans to mete justice, confused Habakkuk. Yet, Habakkuk ultimately trusted God's justice, vengeance and sovereignty.
In contrast, Jonah's experience with God's action on Nineveh reveals a different heart. Jonah wanted destruction, not mercy. Even after God's gentle correction, Jonah's anger persisted. It seems Jonah's concern was personal – based on hate towards Nineveh -for some reason- but more so, based on protecting his reputation as a prophet.
Does Jonah's character resonate with us today? Do we, just, want vengeance on the wicked so as to feel vindicated; to protect our image or name? When we treat God's justice as about us, we become the central figure, the focus, the champions or even the idols.
Now, let's revisit our memory text this week Exodus 20:23,
Our image, our name or reputation over God, is self-exaltation (which can be tantamount to Idolatry)
Similarly, God's judgment, vengeance, and mercy shouldn't be about us and our name. Perhaps God's style of vengeance is mercy that converts the wicked. He knows what justice is.
"The warfare against self is the greatest battle that was ever fought. The yielding of self, surrendering all to the will of God, requires a struggle; but the soul must submit to God before it can be renewed in holiness."
Steps to Christ, p. 43.3, Ellen G. White
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”- Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)
Forgiveness is one of the “hard stuff” in scripture. It is not an option but a command. The Bible is very clear on this matter; we are required to forgive, otherwise our Father, who is in heaven, will not forgive us.
“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins” (Matthew 6:14-15, NLT).
Forgiveness is not only a noble spiritual command, but also a profound practical necessity. For our own physical wellness in this life, we must learn to forgive through the enabling power of the Holy Spirit. We must desire to forgive, and the Holy Spirit will make it possible. By forgiving, we enrich our physical life with the following benefits:
1. Personal peace – grudges and bitterness cause unnecessary mental stress, high blood pressure, anxiety, and physical tiredness.
2. Restoration of relationships – resentments cause terrible heartaches to families, friendships, and marriages, which can easily be avoided if we can learn to let it go.
3. Sweet communities – our churches, workplaces, homes, schools, and neighborhoods shall be more peaceful by avoiding retaliation.
4. Spiritual growth – our physical wellness enhances our spiritual growth (3 John 1:2).
The ongoing conflicts (Israel-Gaza war, Israel-Iran conflict, Ukraine-Russia war, Yemen civil war, Sudan civil war, DRC, Syria, etc) could have been easily avoided if forgiveness had been embraced.
“Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars.” - Martin Luther King Jr.
The world is wired towards being vengeful; it feels almost cowardly not to react or at least make a comment when an opportunity arises. From the energy drinks and foods we consume to the relentless pace of life, everything seems designed to push us to the edge, leaving us edgy and quick to lash out. In such a climate, vengeance feels natural, even justified, as though we must step in when God seems silent basically we the offended end as offenders. No wonder the Scripture warns against this trap: “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath” (Romans 12:19). When we strike back, we stop being offended and instead become the offenders, falling straight into the net of anger and sin. That’s why James reminds us, “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires” (James 1:19–20). True courage is not in taking vengeance, but in restraint—trusting that God sees, God knows, and God alone will set things right.
I think that some of us read the text at the centre of our study today with great relish:
We are tempted to read it as, "Don't beat up the evildoers yourselves, I will do it for you!" I am not sure that is how we should read it.
The problem with our view of vengeance is that we often have a short term view, a knee-jerk reaction. I have been hurt by someone's actions and they are going to pay for it! God, on the other hand, has a strategic overview, and if we are willing to follow his leading, we may end up with a much more satisfactory result.
Many years ago a man I knew quite well found his wife was cheating on him and having an affair with another man. In his hurt and pain, he thought immediately of separation and divorce, breaking up the family and settling things so she would get very little property and no access to the kids. But, his Christianity kicked in and forgiveness was offered and accepted, relationships were rebuilt, and the marriage and family survived. There is a lot more to the story but I think I have told enough to illustrate the importance of Christian strategy in times when you have been hurt by the actions of others.
The context of both the Old and New Testament quotes is not about God beating up the wrong-doers for us, but more about us being slow to anger, eager to forgive, and willing to rebuild relationships. Unsurprisingly, we end up with my favourite text:
"By this shall all men know ..."
We need to fill in the dots by our actions; not by just quoting the words.
Amen
To facilitate our death to self, we can be thankful come what may. Thankfulness is contageous. Of course don't forget that is is from God from where all of this blessing flows.
I am putting this lyric by the Perry Sisters to memory.
I just want to thank you Lord
For every time - You've heard me pray
I just want to - thank you - For always being there
When I was so down and out - You came along
You've made me want to shout -
I just want to thank you Lord,
thank you Lord!
If I had a thousand lives to live I'd give - them all to my Lord
he's been so good to me
that is the least I could afford
he's made good times out number the bad
been the best friend that I've ever had
so I just want to thank you Lord,
thank you Lord!
"When we contemplate Christ's purity and excellence, we shall see our own weakness and poverty and defects as they really are. We shall see ourselves lost and hopeless, clad in garments of self-righteousness, like every other sinner. We shall see that if we are ever saved, it will not be through our own goodness, but through God’s infinite grace." Christ Object Lessons. 159.1
Not through our thankfulness, yet through God's infinate grace. I do believe thankfulness helps much.
Psalm 62 –
It is not the 'good' deed in and of itself which accomplishes the work, it is the Spirit of God inhabiting the Will of God. Principles inherent in wrath as well as in forgiveness are governed by and are the domain of the Spirit of God – Psalm 24:1.
Simple, factual civic matters are regulated and settled by our laws; though they as well require to be resolved with fairness. ‘Experiencing unfairness’ causes anger and resentment; our pride and sense of self-preservation call us to ‘settle the score’, and our injured ‘pride’ calls for vengeance. These are all works of the flesh, and not of the Spirit.
What is vengeance? It is “punishment or retribution exacted for an injury or wrong.” Should one decide to use ‘vengeance’ as a means to bring about ‘justice’, it will cause a ripple effect of destruction reaching far into the future for both sides involved. But God offers a better way – using forgiveness and genuine efforts to establish understanding for helping to settle matters peacefully - Phil.2:3-4; Col.3:13.
Have we not received the reassurance that God’s Ways are higher, more complete, more perfect, than our ways? Do we trust that His Spirit will find the perfect balance between Justice and Mercy as we trust Him and deny acting on our ‘righteous’ anger (hurt pride)?
When you get right down to it, all of our life is in God’s hands and all our hopes rest in Jesus Christ - Col.3:1-4; Rev.21:4.
The most challenging thing is to be forgiving and merciful, especially to those who did wrong to us. Sometimes, that might be an everyday exercise for the rest of our lives.
The most challenging thing is to be forgiving and merciful, even to those who did wrong to us—sometimes, that might be an everyday exercise for the rest of our lives.