June 17th~Vengeance is Mine

2 Chronicles 21:8-20

2 Kings 8:23-29


2 Chronicles 22:1-7

2 Kings 9:1-10:17

2 Chronicles 22:8, 9

2 Kings 10:18-31

Wow, if our assigned passage was a movie, it would be rated PG-13, at least! It was literally full of blood and guts, from Jehoram’s bulging bowel disease to the dogs dragging off Jezebel’s dismembered body. Yikes! Who knew the Bible could be so graphic, right?

As difficult as it was reading these things, I am glad that they were included in the biblical account. After watching Ahab and Jezebel dominate the scene for so long and after reading of all the terrible things they did to God’s people, especially His prophets, it was reassuring to read that these two maniacal figures were held accountable for their deeds. In fact, when God anointed Jehu to be King of Israel, his commission included these orders, “You are to destroy the family of Ahab. In this way, I will avenge the murder of my prophets and all the Lord’s servants who were killed by Jezebel” (2 Kings 9:7).

Although Jehu was not a righteous man, he was obedient to the Lord in this command, which made him one of the best, if not the best, king in the history of the Northern Kingdom of Israel (10:30, 31). Jehu was noted to be cruel and vindictive, but God is sovereign and He is able to use wicked men to achieve His purposes.

One word kept coming back to my mind as I was reading today — vengeance. Vengeance is “the infliction of pain on another in return for an offense.” Vengeance is “just retribution or punishment” (Webster 1828). Just retribution is that which is “upright, suitable, due, complete, and proper.” Vengeance is just; revenge is not. Revenge is unjust retribution, when one inflicts pain on another maliciously or unlawfully.

With these definitions, one can quickly discern that men very rarely seek vengeance; most often men seek revenge, which is not only a crime but a sin. God is the only Being in the universe who can consistently inflict just retribution on an evildoer with pure motives and the force of law, His law. Thus, we find verses like this one, “Vengeance is Mine, and retribution; in due time their foot will slip. For the day of their calamity is near and the impending things are hastening upon them” (Deut. 32:35). Here’s another one, “Never take your own revenge, but leave room for the wrath of God...” (Romans 12:19).

While the pain that was inflicted on Ahab and his family were horrible and hard to bear, they were proper; their punishment fit the crime. The people of God were innocent of any wrongdoing, yet they were slaughtered in atrocious ways. For God to unleash His wrath on the perpetrators is reasonable and right.

Daily Reflection

Are you guilty of getting revenge on those who have hurt you in the past? Summarize why doing so is a sin?

What is required of you to wait on the Lord’s timing and let Him be the One to administer justice for personal hurts or offenses?

While the Lord’s justice may not be swift, it is sure. It will come. “Vengeance is Mine,” He says. Don’t get in the way. Don’t jump the gun or you will only get shot.

BiAY.org | Day 168 — 197 Days to Go