Vengeance is Mine, and recompense; their foot shall slip in due time; for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things to come hasten upon them. (Deuteronomy 32:35)
Even though this song given to Moses addressed the issues that plagued Israel, God made certain to address the other nations of the world as well, especially those who abused His people. In the verse above, He ordained that, at a time of His choosing, those nations would meet their fate according to His will and purpose. In other words, God’s people needn’t worry that injustice and abuse would go unnoticed or unpunished but that He would exact recompense from them in the day of His vengeance. Thus He declares, “There is no God besides me; I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal; nor is there any who can deliver from my hand” (Deuteronomy 32:39).
In short, Israel’s enemies are God’s enemies and thus He refers to them as “My adversaries” and “those that hate me” (Deuteronomy 32:41). This point is reaffirmed in Psalm 83 which says, “Behold, your enemies make a tumult; and those who hate you have lifted up their head. They have taken crafty counsel against your people, and consulted together against your sheltered ones” (Psalm 83:2-3).
As His people, we should not think that God will allow our enemies to run roughshod over us indefinitely. While we are likely to suffer at their hands for a season, there is coming another season when He will rise up against them on our behalf. That being so, we should rest in this and not determine to take the matter into our own hands, acting as our own avenger. Let God take care of what needs to be taken care of because He does it so much better than we and, in the end, it will be justice, not revenge.
When we are wronged, our emotions are charged and we are too easily led by them meaning that we are prone to making a bad situation worse. Let’s put it this way — how often have you acted in anger and later thought that what you did was one of the best decisions you ever made? Not likely I would guess. And so then, resolve within yourself to let God be God in your life; do not take certain matters into your hands that can only be handled justly by His Hand. It seems appropriate to conclude with these words from Paul:
“If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord. Therefore if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” (Romans 12:18-20)
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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