Revenge – Proverbs 20:22

Liam Neeson had a friend who was raped and he had a strong impulse to kill the man.  He said, “I was trying to show honour to my…to stand up for my dear friend in this terrible, medieval fashion.”  He says his thoughts so shocked him that he visited a priest for help.  There are websites you can find that will tell you how to get revenge on someone, and others that will explain your desire for revenge.  We have an issue with revenge and God knows this.

Do not say, “I will repay evil”; wait for the LORD, and he will deliver you. (Proverbs 20:22, ESV)

When Yahweh spoke to Israel about how to divide out the land of Canaan after they conquered it, He stipulated the setting aside of several cities of refuge.  It was typical practice in the middle east for a relative of someone killed by another to get vengeance and thus family honor by killing the murderer.  This was the case even if the “murderer” had killed the relative accidently.  Of course, other evils for which revenge would be sought might be stealing land, committing adultery or giving false testimony . 

But Yahweh says leave revenge to Him.  So the cities of refuge were places one could flee to from vengeful relatives and a trial could be held to determine guilt.  Yahweh could bring deliverance that way.  Or Yahweh could bring deliverance directly, as he did with Jezebel, who urged her husband the king to take a man’s land after she had him murdered (1 Kings 21).  There were other offenses she committed that resulted in her death.

Paul repeats the teaching that vengeance belongs to the Lord:

Romans 12:17–21,

Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.  If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.  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.”  To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.”  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (ESV)

This is also the gist of Jesus’ teaching about turning the other cheek (Matthew 5).