I watch the old tv show “Law and Order”. It is one of my favorite shows. That may be the reason I found this an interesting topic.
The word “justice” came up as a blog topic, but I decided to expand on it and include “vengenace” also.
The definitions of justice include the words “administration, fairness, and impartial.”
Laws on Justice
If you look at Exodus and Deuteronomy, it gives many laws on justice and how people should conduct themselves.
These are some of the highlights:
- Don’t lie.
- Don’t be persuaded by the crowd
- Give justice to the poor
- Judge fairly
- Don’t accept a bribe
Dig in to Exodus 21 and it is spelled out plainly.
“But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.”
Exodus 21:23-25 (NIV)
The above scripture is also called “The Law of Retribution”.
“It was given to regulate the procedure of the public magistrate in determining the amount of compensation in every case of injury, but did not encourage feelings of private revenge.”
https://biblehub.com/commentaries/exodus/21-23.htm
Vengeance
The definition for “vengeance” by Merriam-Webster is:
“punishment inflicted in retaliation for an injury or offense”
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vengeance
but it also included the word “retribution”.
“the dispensing or receiving of reward or punishment especially in the hereafter”
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retribution
I’m no Bible scholar, but there seems to be a difference in acting justly and acting in vengeance.
Vengeance also is attributed to the word “revenge”.
“to inflict injury in return for”
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/revenge
Don’t Seek Revenge
If you see the word vengeance/revenge in the Bible, most of the time it would caution you not to do it.
“‘Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.”
Leviticus 19:18 (NIV)
“Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.”
Romans 12:19 (NIV)
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.
Matthew 5:37 (NIV)
“5:38-42 The plain instruction is, Suffer any injury that can be borne, for the sake of peace, committing your concerns to the Lord’s keeping. And the sum of all is, that Christians must avoid disputing and striving. If any say, Flesh and blood cannot pass by such an affront, let them remember, that flesh and blood shall not inherit the kingdom of God; and those who act upon right principles will have most peace and comfort.”
https://biblehub.com/commentaries/matthew/5-38.htm
This is fascinating to me. I encourage you to dig into the commentaries and read about “the law of retribution.” I included links with the quotes.
Call on God
We as Christians are called to extend grace, mercy, forgiveness, and love. This is hard to do and underscores why we need to lean on God. He is the ultimate judge.
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