6 NovemberNumbers 31

Vengeance Belongs to God

Numbers 31:1-2 (AMP) The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Take vengeance for the Israelites on the Midianites; afterward you will be gathered to your people [in death].

Vengeance belongs to the Lord. Romans 12:19 explicitly states that God is the ultimate judge that God will bring ultimate vindication and justice, and that evil will not go unpunished. Romans 12:19-21 (TPT) “Beloved don’t be obsessed with taking revenge, but leave that to God’s righteous justice. For the Scriptures say: “Vengeance is mine, and I will repay,” says the Lord. And: If your enemy is hungry, buy him lunch! Win him over with kindness. For your surprising generosity will awaken his conscience, and God will reward you with favour. Never let evil defeat you, but defeat evil with good”. The root scripture confirms this: Deuteronomy 32:35 (AMP) “Vengeance is Mine, and retribution, In due time their foot will slip; For the day of their disaster is at hand, And their doom hurries to meet them”.

*"Vengeance is mine."*

In the Hebrew language, the word "vengeance" means to punish or give payback. It can be used when someone deserves to be punished for the wrong they did. It can also mean paying back harm with more harm, especially when it comes from a place of anger because the first harm was uncalled for. This verse means that only God has the right to repay someone for the wrong they’ve done. It also shows us that God will always bring justice, and no wrong will go unpunished.

*What should we then do to those who wrong us?*

Paul says this in Romans 12:20 (ESV) “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". However Solomon said this in the Old Testament: Proverbs 25:21-22 (ESV) “If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you”. Finally Jesus make the ultimate call in Matthew 5:43-44 (ESV) "You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you”.

The message is clear: vengeance belongs to God alone. Throughout Scripture, we are reminded not to seek revenge or payback for wrongs done to us. God is the ultimate judge, and He will bring justice in His perfect timing. Numbers 31 shows that God commanded vengeance on the Midianites, but even then, it was at His instruction, not through human desire for revenge. Romans 12:19-21 further emphasises that we should trust God to handle justice. Instead of seeking revenge, we are called to respond to our enemies with love and kindness, knowing that this can lead to their repentance and transformation. By doing good in the face of evil, we leave the matter in God's hands, and He will ultimately bring about justice and reward those who trust in Him.

In conclusion, let us leave vengeance to God and focus on defeating evil with good, knowing that He sees all and will bring justice in due time.