Vengeance According To Scripture

We are commanded to do good even if there is a cost. Only the Christian has hope beyond the cost. Therefore, we should be bold in the face of sacrifice or danger. Proverbs 28:1 says, “The wicked flee when no one pursues, But the righteous are bold as a lion.” The righteous are those who have forgiveness through the cross, are focused on the will of God, and the hope of eternity. With this responsibility, we are to continue to examine ourselves and our motives in light of God’s word. It is possible to faithfully execute God’s judgment and still fall under God’s judgment.

In 2 Kings we see the story of Jehu. God declared judgment on king Ahab, queen Jezebel and the leaders they established. These wicked people forced people to worship their false god and murdered countless people. God appointed Jehu as His authority by making him king over Israel. God then commanded him to be the minister of His wrath and kill the whole house of Ahab and Jezebel. This was God’s judgment, but the government administered this vengeance. Jehu obeyed but he fell in love with the violence. When Jehu had Jezebel killed, he walked over her body and into her house to eat and drink. After a leisurely meal, he sent men to bury her. Judgment against these murders was necessary, but if the ones executing judgment become like those being judged, what has been accomplished? If God weeps over a lost soul, how can we rejoice over it? In response to Jehu’s cruelness, God judged Jehu’s house. Look at Hosea 1

4 Then the LORD said to him: ""Call his name Jezreel, For in a little while I will avenge the bloodshed of Jezreel on the house of Jehu, And bring an end to the kingdom of the house of Israel.

This is where we do not want to be. With sorrow judgment is executed, not delight. To be angry over acts of senseless violence is natural and is right if kept within God’s purpose. Anger is an emotion God has created. Like all emotions, anger should not rule us. Emotions are designed by God to be tools in our hands. However, when we are not being led by God, we become tools used by our emotions.

We should stand against evil and we are commanded to do so. We are equally commanded not to become a part of the evil we are called to withstand. There must first be genuine repentance and submission to God. Only God has the right to execute wrath. If we are executing our wrath, we are in sin. The focus must always be on obedience to God. If we are on God’s side, He will always win. It is impossible to separate our feelings from our decision making without prayer, self-examination, repentance and praying for our enemies. The Bible calls us to take care of ourselves, take care of our enemies and only then can we take care of business. Only when we are fulfilling these God-given responsibilities can we expect God to fulfill His responsibility. It is God who must use the authority He has set up to execute justice. If we are a sinful people, our leadership will not be established in the fear of God and we have no guarantee that God is behind our governing authorities. The righteousness of a nation rests on the shoulders of the church.