Epiphany 7 (2)

Romans 12:17-21 (NIV) 17  Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18  If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19  Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. 20  On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." 21  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Today we will emphasize how important it is not to seek revenge or even have vengeful thoughts against those who have wronged us. Is this an issue? Concern about vengeance is expressed in the early chapters of the Bible.

Genesis 4:13–16 NIV84

13 Cain said to the Lord, “My punishment is more than I can bear. 14 Today you are driving me from the land, and I will be hidden from your presence; I will be a restless wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Not so; if anyone kills Cain, he will suffer vengeance seven times over.” Then the Lord put a mark on Cain so that no one who found him would kill him. 16 So Cain went out from the Lord’s presence and lived in the land of Nod, east of Eden.

Forms of the words “revenge”, “avenger”, and “vengeance” are found almost 100 times in the Bible.

The subject of revenge is a common and appealing topic in historical books and plays and modern movies. For example:

True Grit (2010)

A precocious teenage girl (Hailee Steinfeld) enlists the help of a grizzled, drunken, one-eyed U.S. Marshal (Jeff Bridges), and also receives the unrequested help of a proud Texas Ranger (Matt Damon), to track down and punish the dirty criminal (Josh Brolin) who killed her father in 1878.

Why it is a great revenge movie: Celebrated writing and directing duo Joel and Ethan Coen managed to adapt Charles Portis’ classic novel, True Grit, into a film that, I believe, surpasses the 1969 original western classic starring John Wayne, and earned a very young Hailee Steinfeld her first Academy Award nomination.

What a lot of these “positive” revenge films have in common is that they are all about men seeking vengeance for harm brought to their wives and daughters. In classical Greek and Elizabethan revenge plays, a man’s destiny was not supposed to be in his own hands; justice was the provence of gods and kings. In modern Western society, we live with the assumption that we have a say in what’s fair and what’s right, and so I have to wonder if the idea that we all have a voice in society has given us the prerogative to root guiltlessly for the vigilante who takes the law into his or her own hands. Or maybe we just want to live in a fantasy world where we can kill people without recourse?

Basically, it looks like there are two types of “revenge” films. There are cautionary revenge tales, that urge us to not give in to our basest impulses, and then there are revenge fantasy films that indulge our deepest desires to murder everyone and not suffer any sort of consequences.

Seeking vengeance can backfire on an individual and lead to additional pain and suffering. The founding CEO of Amazon, Jeff Bezos, referenced a powerful cautionary proverb about revenge during an interview in 2016 although he expressed uncertainty about its origin:[1]

It’s attributed to Confucius. Who knows if it’s really Confucius or not, but: “Seek revenge and you should dig two graves, one for yourself”.

Would you please explore the provenance of this saying?

Quote Investigator: Researchers have been unable to find this statement in the writings of Confucius.

What's the meaning of the phrase 'Revenge is a dish best served cold'?

The proverbial phrase 'revenge is a dish best served cold' expresses the notion that vengeance is more satisfying when exacted some time after the harm that instigated it.

So what we see is that our sinful human nature desires to get even with those who have wronged us even though it may cost us in the end. On the other hand, the higher ground is to resist those vengeful thoughts and actions and trust in God who is described numerous times as the one who will make every thing right in his time and in his justice and wisdom..

So when it comes to the topic of revenge we have several truths to keep in mind.

We will at times be victims of evil actions.

Bullied at school.

Abuse.

Unjustly accused.

Discriminated against.

Victims of crime.

Scammed. (You probably have the opportunity to have this happen to you every day on the phone.)

In fact, Jesus warns that because we trust in him and follow his teaches, we are even more vulnerable than if we were not Christians (Blessed are you when you are persecuted and chain . . . )

Matthew 10:32–39 NIV84

32 “Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven. 34 “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to turn “ ‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law— 36 a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’ 37 “Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38 and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

How do we react?

Could ignore it.

Retaliate (sinful human nature relishes in this)

Avoid vengeful thoughts and actions but trust in the Lord.

Repay evil with good. This is the hardest but the one God teaches.

Proverbs 20:22 NIV

22 Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the Lord, and he will avenge you.

1 Thessalonians 5:15 NIV

15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.

1 Peter 3:8–12 NIV

8 Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. 9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. 11 They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

How can we do this? Trust in the judgment of God.

Hebrews 10:30–31 NIV

30 For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge his people.” 31 It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Proverbs 24:29 (NIV)

29 Do not say, “I’ll do to them as they have done to me; I’ll pay them back for what they did.”

Proverbs 24:17–20 NIV

17 Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice, 18 or the Lord will see and disapprove and turn his wrath away from them. 19 Do not fret because of evildoers or be envious of the wicked, 20 for the evildoer has no future hope, and the lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out.

Schadenfreude Joy over someone else’s pain.

Justice, in its broadest sense, is the principle that people receive that which they deserve, with the interpretation of what then constitutes "deserving" being impacted upon by numerous fields, with many differing viewpoints and perspectives, including the concepts of moral correctness based on ethics, rationality, law, religion, equity and fairness. The state will sometimes endeavour to increase justice by operating courts and enforcing their rulings.

Luke 6:27–36 NIV

27 “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you. 32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. 35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Romans 12:17–21 NIV84

17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Trust in God.

Psalm 94:1–3 (NIV)

1 The LORD is a God who avenges. O God who avenges, shine forth. 2 Rise up, Judge of the earth; pay back to the proud what they deserve. 3 How long, LORD, will the wicked, how long will the wicked be jubilant?

Nahum 1:2–3 NIV

2 The Lord is a jealous and avenging God; the Lord takes vengeance and is filled with wrath. The Lord takes vengeance on his foes and vents his wrath against his enemies. 3 The Lord is slow to anger but great in power; the Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished. His way is in the whirlwind and the storm, and clouds are the dust of his feet.

Deuteronomy 32:35–39 NIV

35 It is mine to avenge; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; their day of disaster is near and their doom rushes upon them.” 36 The Lord will vindicate his people and relent concerning his servants when he sees their strength is gone and no one is left, slave or free. 37 He will say: “Now where are their gods, the rock they took refuge in, 38 the gods who ate the fat of their sacrifices and drank the wine of their drink offerings? Let them rise up to help you! Let them give you shelter! 39 “See now that I myself am he! There is no god besides me. I put to death and I bring to life, I have wounded and I will heal, and no one can deliver out of my hand.

Even the Greek philosophers realized that justice comes from beyond our own ability to right the wrongs.

The mills of the gods grind slowly, but they grind exceeding fine

Justice maybe slow but it will come eventually.

Background:

The earliest known use of this expression is by 3rd century Greek philosopher Sextus Empiricus, who wrote 'The mills of the gods grind slowly, but they grind small.' Sextus Empiricus lived in the early 3rd century AD, possibly late 2nd century. He was a physician and philosopher who is thought to have lived mainly in Alexandria and Athens.

Example

Last summer a 50 year old woman that I knew from volunteering at Bible camp was killed in a head on crash in Dodge County, WI in the afternoon or a bright, sunny day. An oncoming pickup truck driven by a 47 year-old man who allegedly had been smoking marijuana crossed the center line when he fell asleep at the wheel.

JUNEAU – A 47-year-old Horicon man is facing multiple charges including vehicular homicide stemming from a crash on Highway 33 last summer.

Daniel Bryfczynski faces additional felony charges of injury by use of a vehicle while under the influence of a controlled substance, causing injury while operating a motor vehicle under the influence of a controlled substance and his second offense of possession of marijuana. Bryfczynski also faces two misdemeanor counts of possession of drug paraphernalia. He could face up to 62 years in prison if convicted of all charges.

A 50-year-old woman was killed in the crash near Grove Road west of Horicon that happened at 12:52 p.m. on June 16. The name of the crash victim has been withheld by authorities based upon their interpretation of Marsy’s Law, an amendment to the Wisconsin Constitution meant to protect victims that was passed by voters in 2021.

According to the criminal complaint, Bryfczynski said he was coming home after fishing and had fallen asleep while driving.

The woman’s surviving husband posted this on Facebook and has reserved comment for now. It is instructive to read the over 50 comments made on this post. Since this man is a strong Christian and many of his friends are also strong Christians, it is compelling to note that although there are a couple of vengeful comments, the majority concur with what the Bible teaches about loving our enemies and trusting in the Lord for justice. Perhaps this comment was the best:

I can’t even begin to imagine the pain and suffering all of you have been through because of another man’s sins. Just last night I read an article in The Forward in Christ magazine titled, “Please Explain- Why we should love our enemies.” I think it would be helpful to read- because the most powerful response you can have is one that reflects God’s love. 📷

Love as he loves us

To love our enemies, then, is to love as we are loved. It is to refuse to let conflict and tension define a relationship. It is to move beyond the conflict and tension to see those maliciously minded individuals not as hostile opponents, but as troubled, misguided souls. In a sense, we empathetically see them as victims. This isn’t giving people a pass on sin; it’s acknowledging the soul-destroying work that the devil is doing in their hearts.

Remember how Jesus felt about the religious leaders who were his fiercest, most passionate enemies: “[He was] deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts” (Mark 3:5). Remember the tears he shed over the souls of Jerusalem, many of whom would cry out for his crucifixion: “As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, ‘If you . . . had only known on this day what would bring you peace’ ” (Luke 19:41, 42). Remember how Jesus saw and loved the troubled, misguided souls who nailed him to a cross: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).

When we change our perspective to see even a maliciously minded person not as an enemy but as a troubled, misguided soul, we see that person very differently. We no longer see that person as an adversary but as a soul who desperately needs to be cared for and nurtured with the same patience, forgiveness, and love that the Lord shows to us. We see a soul for whom Jesus poured out his blood on a cross. We see a soul with whom our Savior wants to spend eternal life in heaven (1 Timothy 2:3,4). And then, we see ourselves in the unique and privileged position of being the voices and instruments of God to bring grace and peace, hope and joy into the life of a soul darkened by sin.

Why should we love our enemies? To point them to their gracious heavenly Father. To show them the saving love of Jesus. To be an instrument in the hand of God to create an opening for the Holy Spirit to change a heart—for life and for eternity.

Author: Steven Gabb Volume 109, Number 02 Issue: February 2022