Romans 12

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Moses made a similar mistake when God called him (Ex. 4:1-13
Exodus 4:1–13 KJV 1900
1 And Moses answered and said, But, behold, they will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice: for they will say, The Lord hath not appeared unto thee. 2 And the Lord said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod. 3 And he said, Cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from before it. 4 And the Lord said unto Moses, Put forth thine hand, and take it by the tail. And he put forth his hand, and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand: 5 That they may believe that the Lord God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath appeared unto thee. 6 And the Lord said furthermore unto him, Put now thine hand into thy bosom. And he put his hand into his bosom: and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous as snow. 7 And he said, Put thine hand into thy bosom again. And he put his hand into his bosom again; and plucked it out of his bosom, and, behold, it was turned again as his other flesh. 8 And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe thee, neither hearken to the voice of the first sign, that they will believe the voice of the latter sign. 9 And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe also these two signs, neither hearken unto thy voice, that thou shalt take of the water of the river, and pour it upon the dry land: and the water which thou takest out of the river shall become blood upon the dry land. 10 And Moses said unto the Lord, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. 11 And the Lord said unto him, Who hath made man’s mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the Lord? 12 Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say. 13 And he said, O my Lord, send, I pray thee, by the hand of him whom thou wilt send.
When the individual believers in a church know their gifts, accept them by faith, and use them for God's glory, God can bless them extraordinarily.
Faithful cooperation (w. 4-8).
Each believer has a different gift. And God has bestowed these gifts so the local body can grow balanced. But, each Christian must exercise his or her gift by faith. We may not see the result of our ministry, but the Lord sees it, and He blesses us. Note that "collaboration" (encouragement) is just as much a spiritual ministry as preaching or teaching. Giving and showing mercy are also essential gifts.
To some people. God has given me the ability to rule or administer the church’s various functions. Whatever gift we have must be dedicated to God and used for the good of the whole church.
It is tragic when any one gift is emphasized in a local church beyond all the other gifts. "Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all woken of mirages? Have all the gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?" (1 Cor. 12-29-30).
The answer to all these questions is no. For a Christian to minimize the other gifts while he emphasizes his gift is to deny the very purpose for which gifts are given: The benefit of the whole body of Christ.
"Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good" (1 Cor. 12:7 mr).
Spiritual gifts are tools to build with, not toys to play with or weapons to fight with. In the church of Corinth, the believers were tearing down the ministry because they abused spiritual gifts. They were using their gifts as ends in themselves and not as a means toward the end of building up the church.
They so emphasized their spiritual gifts that they lost their spiritual graces! They had the gifts of the Spirit but were lacking in the fruit of the Spirit —love, joy, peace, etc. (Gal. 5:22-23).
Loving participation (w. 9-16).
Here, the emphasis is on the attitudes of those who exercise the spiritual gifts. It is possible to use a spiritual gift in an unspiritual way. Paul makes this point in 1 Corinthians 13, the New Testament’s great "love chapter.”
Love is the circulatory system of the spiritual body, which enables all the members to function in a healthy, harmonious way. This must be an honest love, not a hypocritical love (Rom. 12:9), and it must be humble, not proud (Rom. 12:10).
"Preferring one another" means treating others as more important than ourselves (Phil, 2:1-4).
Serving Christ usually means facing Satanic opposition and experiencing discouragement. Paul admonished his readers to maintain their spiritual zeal because they were serving the Lord, not men. The Christian cannot permit his zeal to grow cold when life becomes difficult.
"Be joyful in hops. patient in affliction, faithful in prayer" (Rom. 12:12 rv).
Finally, Paul reminded them that they must enter into the feelings of others.
Christian fellowship is much more than a pat on the back and a handshake. It means sharing the burdens and the blessings of others so that we all grow together and glorify the Lord. If Christians cannot get along with one another, how can they ever face their enemies? A humble attitude and a willingness to share are the marks of a Christian who, indeed, ministers to the body. Our Lord ministered to the ordinary people, and they heard Him gladly (Mark 12:37).
When a local church decides it wants only a particular type of people, it departs from the Christian ideal of ministry.
OUR RELATIONSHIP TO THE WORLD (12:17-21)
The believer who seeks to obey God is going to have enemies. When our Lord was ministering on earth, He had enemies. Some enemies opposed their work no matter where Paul and the other apostles traveled.
Jesus warned His disciples that their worst enemies might be those of their household (Matt. 10:36). Unfortunately, some believers have enemies because they lack love and patience and not because they are faithful in their witness. There is a difference between sharing in "the offense of the cross" (Gal. 5:11; 6:12-15) and being an offensive Christian!
The Christian must not play God and try to avenge himself. Returning evil for evil, or good for good, is the way most people live.
The Tendency to Seek Revenge
Human nature often inclines toward retaliation when wronged, as seen in the instinct to seek personal justice. However, God's Word instructs Christians to rise above such desires.
Scriptural Insight:
"Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men." (Romans 12:17)
This verse highlights that believers should not repay wrongdoing with wrongdoing but should instead focus on living righteously.
"Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord." (Romans 12:19)
God explicitly forbids Christians from taking vengeance, reminding them that ultimate justice belongs to Him.
"Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:21)
Christians are called to counteract evil with goodness, thereby breaking the cycle of retribution.
Jacob’s family was central to God’s covenant with Abraham, which promised that his descendants would become a great nation and inherit the land of Canaan. However, Jacob’s family dynamics were fraught with tension and dysfunction:
God’s Covenant with Abraham:
Genesis 12:7: "And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land."
The Offense Against Dinah
Dinah, the daughter of Jacob and Leah, went out to visit the daughters of the land. Shechem, the son of Hamor the Hivite, saw her, took her, and defiled her.
Genesis 34:2: "And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, prince of the country, saw her, he took her, and lay with her, and defiled her."
This act deeply dishonored Dinah and enraged her brothers, who considered it a grave insult to their family and a violation of God's moral laws.
The Deceptive Plan of Revenge
Shechem, in love with Dinah, asked his father Hamor to negotiate with Jacob so he could marry her. However, Jacob’s sons were wrathful and devised a plan to avenge their sister’s dishonor.
Genesis 34:13: "And the sons of Jacob answered Shechem and Hamor his father deceitfully, and said, because he had defiled Dinah their sister."
They agreed to the marriage on the condition that all the men in Shechem's city be circumcised, knowing this would incapacitate them temporarily.
Genesis 34:15: "But in this will we consent unto you: If ye will be as we be, that every male of you be circumcised."
The Act of Revenge
On the third day, when the men of the city were sore from circumcision, Simeon and Levi, Dinah’s full brothers, attacked the city and killed every male, including Shechem and Hamor.
Genesis 34:25: "And it came to pass on the third day, when they were sore, that two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brethren, took each man his sword, and came upon the city boldly, and slew all the males."
They also took their sister Dinah out of Shechem's house, looted the city, and seized livestock, women, and children.
Genesis 34:27-29: "The sons of Jacob came upon the slain, and spoiled the city because they had defiled their sister. They took their sheep, and their oxen, and their asses, and that which was in the city, and that which was in the field."
Jacob's Displeasure
While Simeon and Levi believed they were justified in avenging their sister, Jacob condemned their actions for the dishonor and danger it brought upon the family.
Genesis 34:30: "And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, Ye have troubled me to make me to stink among the inhabitants of the land... and I being few in number, they shall gather themselves together against me, and slay me; and I shall be destroyed, I and my house."
Lessons and Reflection
From a King James Bible perspective, this account illustrates the dangers of human vengeance:
Unchecked Anger Leads to Sin: Simeon and Levi allowed their anger to drive them to excessive retaliation, resulting in mass bloodshed.
Proverbs 16:32: "He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city."
Deception as a Tool of Revenge: Their deceitful agreement with Hamor and Shechem highlights the sinful nature of revenge.
Proverbs 12:22: "Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight."
Revenge Contrasts God’s Purpose: While the brothers sought to avenge their sister's defilement, their actions showed a lack of trust in God’s justice.
Deuteronomy 32:35: "To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time."
Consequences of Revenge: Jacob’s fear of retaliation from surrounding nations demonstrates how revenge can bring long-term harm.
1. The Loss of Jacob’s Favor
Jacob, as the patriarch, was deeply displeased with the actions of Simeon and Levi. He viewed their violence as reckless and damaging to the family's reputation and security. This disapproval shaped how he later addressed them.
Genesis 34:30: "And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, Ye have troubled me to make me to stink among the inhabitants of the land... and I being few in number, they shall gather themselves together against me, and slay me; and I shall be destroyed, I and my house."
Jacob felt their actions endangered the entire family and brought dishonor rather than justice.
2. The Curse in Jacob’s Prophetic Blessing
At the end of Jacob’s life, when he blessed his sons, Simeon and Levi received not a blessing but a curse as a result of their violent actions. Jacob condemned their anger and cruelty and foretold that their descendants would be scattered among the tribes of Israel.
Genesis 49:5-7: "Simeon and Levi are brethren; instruments of cruelty are in their habitations. O my soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine honour, be not thou united: for in their anger they slew a man, and in their selfwill they digged down a wall. Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce; and their wrath, for it was cruel: I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel."
This scattering was fulfilled as follows:
Simeon’s Tribe: They received a portion of land within the territory of Judah (Joshua 19:1-9), effectively dissolving their distinct identity over time. Levi’s Tribe: The Levites were set apart for priestly duties and had no inheritance of land (Numbers 18:20-24), thus living scattered among the other tribes.
3. Division Between the Tribes
The violent nature of Simeon and Levi’s actions may have contributed to long-term divisions and tensions among the tribes of Israel. Simeon, in particular, diminished in prominence, while Levi’s role as a priestly tribe set them apart in service and separation.
4. Moral and Spiritual Lessons for Future Generations
The story of Simeon and Levi’s vengeance became a lasting example of the consequences of anger and unchecked retaliation. It warned against the dangers of allowing wrath to dictate actions.
Proverbs 14:29: "He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly." Ecclesiastes 7:9: "Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools."
5. God's Sovereign Plan Through Imperfect People
Despite the sin and consequences of Simeon and Levi's actions, God’s plan for Israel continued. Their failure highlights God’s ability to work through flawed individuals to fulfill His purposes.
Romans 8:28: "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
Summary of Consequences
Loss of relational favor and trust. A prophetic curse leads to the scattering of Simeon and Levi’s descendants. Diminished prominence and division among the tribes. A moral and spiritual lesson for future generations about the destructive nature of anger and revenge. A demonstration of God's sovereignty over human failure.
These consequences reveal the far-reaching impact of revenge, extending beyond the immediate to influence generations to come.
Indeed, we need to pray and ask God for love as we try to show kindness to our enemies. Will they take advantage of us? Will they hate us more? Only the Lord knows. Our task is not to protect ourselves but to obey the Lord and leave the results with Him.
Paul referred to Proverbs 25:21-22 as he urged us to return good for evil in the name of the Lord. The "coals of fire" refer perhaps to the shame our enemies will experience when we return good for evil.
As children of God, we must live on the highest level-returning good for evil. Anyone can return good for good and evil for evil. The only way to overcome evil is with righteousness. If we return evil for evil, we only fuel the evil. And even if our enemy is not converted, we have still experienced the love of God in our hearts and have grown in grace.
Possible Solutions to the Affront to Dinah and Israel
Seeking Divine Guidance The first step in addressing the situation could have been seeking God's will and wisdom through prayer. By turning to God, Jacob and his sons might have received direction for how to respond justly and righteously.
Proverbs 3:5-6: "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."
Pursuing Justice Through Negotiation or Restitution The family could have sought a form of restitution from Shechem and Hamor that would have demonstrated justice without resorting to violence. For instance, this might include reparations or public acknowledgment of wrongdoing.
Exodus 21:24-25: "Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot." (This principle of measured justice could have been applied through structured negotiation rather than deceit or massacre.)
Allowing God to Execute Justice They could have left vengeance in God’s hands, trusting Him to deal with Shechem and Hamor in His time and way.
Deuteronomy 32:35: "To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste." Romans 12:19: "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord."
Demonstrating Forgiveness and a Spirit of Reconciliation While the offense was grave, the family could have shown forgiveness to reflect God’s mercy and grace. This does not mean ignoring the sin but overcoming it with love and reconciliation.
Matthew 5:44: "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you."
Addressing the Violation Within God's Moral Framework Shechem’s act was a serious violation, and addressing it through a means that upheld God's laws would have sent a message of moral integrity to the surrounding nations. This could include formal judgment under God's laws if such structures were established.
The Overarching Character Trait Solution: Self-Restraint
The key character trait that could have prevented the massacre and achieved a righteous resolution is self-restraint, rooted in trust in God's justice and the ability to control anger.
Biblical Support for Self-Restraint:
Proverbs 16:32: "He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city." This shows the power of self-restraint over the might of vengeance. James 1:19-20: "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God." Acting in anger leads to unrighteousness, while self-restraint allows God’s righteousness to prevail. Galatians 5:22-23: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." Temperance (self-control) is a fruit of the Spirit and a key to resolving conflicts in a godly way.
Summary of a Godly Response
Seek God’s guidance through prayer. Pursue measured justice through negotiation or restitution. Trust God’s ultimate justice rather than taking vengeance. Demonstrate forgiveness and a spirit of reconciliation. Uphold God’s moral standards in addressing sin.
Self-restraint, driven by trust in God, would have prevented the cycle of violence and demonstrated the righteousness of Israel as a people set apart for God. Such restraint allows God to work through His people, even in grave injustice.
In Genesis 49:6, Jacob is pronouncing his prophetic blessings and judgments on his sons, and in his words about Simeon and Levi, he says:
"O my soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine honour, be not thou united: for in their anger they slew a man, and in their selfwill they digged down a wall."
What Does "Digged Down a Wall" Mean?
The phrase "digged down a wall" is generally interpreted as a metaphorical description of destruction. It is associated with Simeon and Levi’s violent and impulsive behavior, particularly their attack on the city of Shechem in retaliation for Dinah's defilement (Genesis 34). Here are possible meanings of the phrase:
1. Destruction and Ruin
The phrase "digged down a wall" may refer to the physical or symbolic destruction of the city of Shechem. Simeon and Levi not only killed the men of the city but also looted and destroyed property.
Context: They effectively brought ruin to a defenseless city, akin to tearing down its walls, which symbolized protection and stability.
2. Metaphor for Overthrowing Boundaries or Defenses
In biblical times, a city wall represented its defense and security. To "dig down a wall" could metaphorically represent overthrowing boundaries or violating norms. Simeon and Levi’s actions were seen as extreme, breaking moral and social boundaries.
Proverbs 25:28 offers a parallel metaphor: "He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls."
3. Violation of Trust or Stability
Another possible interpretation is that the phrase symbolizes a breach of trust or societal stability. Simeon and Levi deceived the men of Shechem into being circumcised, only to attack them when they were incapacitated. This treachery undermined any hope of peaceful relations.
Ways People Seek Revenge
People express revenge in various forms, ranging from subtle emotional manipulation to extreme acts of violence. Each form contradicts God's calling for forgiveness and peace.
Subtle Means of Revenge:
Stonewalling:
Ignoring or giving someone the "silent treatment" to withhold emotional support.
Scriptural Guidance: "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice." (Ephesians 4:31)
Gossip or Slander:
Spreading negative information to harm someone's reputation.
Scriptural Guidance: "Speak not evil one of another, brethren." (James 4:11)
Withholding Help or Resources:
Refusing to aid someone in need to "teach them a lesson."
Scriptural Guidance: "If thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink." (Romans 12:20)
More Aggressive Forms of Revenge:
Public Shaming or Retaliation:
Embarrassing someone or seeking to ruin their reputation publicly.
Scriptural Guidance: "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her." (John 8:7)
Physical Violence:
Resorting to harm or aggression to seek retribution.
Scriptural Guidance: "But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also." (Matthew 5:39)
Murder:
The most egregious form of revenge is taking another's life in anger or retaliation.
Scriptural Guidance: "Thou shalt not kill." (Exodus 20:13)
God's Purpose for Christians
God's purpose for His followers is love, forgiveness, and reconciliation.
Revenge undermines these principles and perpetuates sin.
Forgiveness:
"Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man quarrel with any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye." (Colossians 3:13)
Christians are called to forgive as Christ has forgiven them.
Pursuing Peace:
"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God." (Matthew 5:9)
Peace-making reflects the heart of God and sets Christians apart.
Trusting God for Justice:
"Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee." (Proverbs 20:22)
Believers are encouraged to trust God's timing and methods for justice.
However, Christians must live higher and return good for evil. Of course, this requires love because our first inclination is to fight back. It also requires faith, believing God can work and accomplish His will in our lives and those who hurt us. We must give place to "the wrath"— the wrath of God (Deut. 32:35).
"Don't do it. If you defend yourself, then the Lord can't defend you. Leave it in His hands." My friend followed that wise counsel, and the Lord vindicated him.
The admonition in Romans 12:20 reminds us of Christ's words in Matthew 5:44-48. These words are easy to read but challenging to practice.
OUR RELATIONSHIP TO THE STATE (13:1-14)
God has established three institutions:
The home (Gen. 2:18-25),
the government (Gen. 9:1-17),
and the church (Acts 2).
Paul was writing to believers at the very heart of the Roman Empire. The great persecutions had not started but were on the way. Christianity was still considered a Jewish sect, and Rome approved the Jewish religion. But the day would come when it would be challenging, if not impossible, for a Christian to be loyal to the emperor. He could not drop incense on the altar and affirm, "Caesar is god!" Today, we have people who teach riot and rebellion in the name of Christ! They would have us believe that the Christian thing to do is to disobey the law, rebel against the authorities, and permit every person to do that which is right in his own eyes. Paul refuted this position in this chapter by explaining four reasons Christians must be subject to the state’s laws.
(1) For wrath's sake (v. Romans 13:1-4
It is God who has established the governments of the world (see Acts 17:24-28).
This does not mean that He is responsible for the sins of tyrants, but only that the authority to rule comes originally from God. It was this lesson that Nebuchadnezzar had to learn the hard way. (See Dan. 4, especially w. 17, 25, 32.) To resist the law is to resist the God who established government in the world, which means inviting punishment.
Rulers must bear the sword; that is, they can afflict punishment and even take life.
God established human government because humankind is sinful and must have some kind of authority over us. God has given the sword to rulers and, with it, the authority to punish and even to execute.
Capital punishment was ordained in Genesis 9:5-6 and has not been abolished. Even though we cannot always respect the person in office, we must respect the office for God-ordained government.
On more than one occasion in his ministry. Paul used Roman law to protect his life and to extend his work. The centurions mentioned in the book of Acts appear to be men of character and high ideals.
Even if government officials are not believers, they are still the "ministers of God" because He established the state’s authority.
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