Vengeance Is Mine | Says The Lord — How God Punishes His Enemies With Wrath

Vengeance Is Mine | Says The Lord — How God Punishes His Enemies With Wrath

How can a Christian avenge himself from his enemies? Who will give justice to the one being trampled upon? Let’s find the meaning of “Vengeance is mine, says the Lord.”

Vengeance is mine in Deuteronomy 32:35

Our human instinct may mislead us into reacting before the Lord when the enemy conspires to steal, destroy, kill and provoke us in so many ways. God is saying “vengeance is mine” —so in meekness, put your fist/gun in your pocket and present your case to him.

He avenged David, Daniel, Mordecai, Jeremiah, Elijah, etc, We can therefore trust him to avenge us when the need arises.

“To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste. ” (Deuteronomy 32:35)

The Bible entreats all Christians to refrain from retaliation as a means of waging war or unleashing their anger on their enemies. He has said, “vengeance is mine.” And as a matter of fact, we must present our cases to him where justice needs to be served.

In this post, I would like you to understand why you must not avenge yourself. I will use the Bible as a guide to drawing you much closer to the will of God or his plans of rendering justice to his children. Besides, you will have a number of Bible verses that talk about how to trust in the Lord’s saying: “vengeance is mine” and its meaning.

Have you ever been provoked in a way that you lose your temper to do anything at all as a form of retaliation? If you are a professed Christian, then today I want you to know that vengeance is not yours but of the Lord’s.

However, in our endeavors to make greater achievements in life, we can implement the power of vengeance to overcome failure. I explained in one of my articles that success is the best revenge. It is about using success to shame those who seek your downfall.

Meaning Of The Bible’s Message About The Lord’s Vengeance

As God has claimed vengeance as his, let’s try to understand it from the scriptures. Vengeance is mine, says the Lord simply means the retributive justice of God for those who seek to avenge themselves.

This act comes along with fury or rage. God in his wrath, gives justice to his children when needed. His fierce anger blazes like devouring fire.

In Deuteronomy 32:35 it reads:

“Vengeance is mine, I will repay, at the time when their foot slides; for the day of their calamity is near, and the things to come hasten upon them.”

In addition, the book of Nahum also says:

“The LORD is a zealous and avenging God; the LORD is avenging and very angry. The LORD takes vengeance against his foes; he sustains his rage against his enemies.” (Nahum 1:2)

So God knows when, how, and why he must repay anyone who fights against him or his children.

What even brought about this declaration from God?

From the book of Deuteronomy God’s special possession “Israel” rebelled against him instead of being grateful for all the good things he had done for them. They turned to worship idols and partake in many different abominable acts.

Horse riders chasing enemies with swords

Yahweh is the supreme ruler and would always be. In his righteous anger, he used other nations to punish his people. He also punished those nations, along with their gods, for their sinful acts. God made the Israelites see the uselessness of idol worship.

An then again, from the meaning of vengeance in Nahum — there was a strong warning from the Lord against the Assyrians that their gods would be destroyed altogether.

Hence the vindication of the people of Judea being the people of God.

How Do You Seek For Vengeance As A Christian?

I understand many Christians are moving about with the mindset of causing great harm to their enemies as a form of vengeance. Ah ah… I told you in the early paragraphs that —that kind of act is not yours. Leave it to God and watch him give you the justice you so deserve.

The world has never been fair to almost everyone —especially those who choose to serve the Lord. There is too much hate, injustice, crimes, and other evil deeds taking root in almost every corner of this world.

We can’t even trust the lawyer, judge, government; even our own parents, brothers, friends… But God who examines every heart and knows every deepest secret will render justice to his children.

In your rage for vengeance, you are entreated to extinguish that anger and entrust your case into the hands of the Lord. You would be a big fool if you allow your anger to control you.

As a Christian, I have always been reminded of self-control as stated in 2 Timothy 1:7. The fruit of the Spirit needed here is self-control. Most often, your enemies deserve your silence. Don’t waste your time or energy on them.

It’s not that easy. But worth more than anything. Remember, your reward or vindication will come from the Lord. As the New Testament says:

A man wanting to avenge himself with a gun

“Do not avenge yourselves, dear friends, but give place to God’s wrath, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.” (Romans 12:19)

It is quite hard to understand why we are thought to be forgiving, loving, and kind. At the same time, the scriptures teach us about how to destroy our enemies through prayers or the power of God.

It might feel like there is a contradiction between the Old Testament’s message of vengeance and that of the New Testament. But taking a clear look will always direct you to the righteous judgment of God or the wrath of God which is full of Justice.

God’s Greatest Wrath

The Bible points to us that some people will drink from his cup of wrath at the end of the world. Just like how rebellious Israel and other pagan nations tasted his wrath.

“For the LORD says, “If even those who did not deserve to drink from the cup of my wrath must drink from it, do you think you will go unpunished? You will not go unpunished, but must certainly drink from the cup of my wrath.” (Jeremiah 49:12)

God’s greatest vengeance will be on unrepented sinners at the end of the world.

God will destroy the world in his wrath

Anyone who rebels against God without any repentance will drink from his cup of wrath:

“That person will also drink of the wine of God’s anger that has been mixed undiluted in the cup of his wrath, and he will be tortured with fire and sulfur in front of the holy angels and in front of the Lamb.” (Revelation 14:10)

The Law And Society

There is nothing wrong with handing over a thief, a child molester, or any criminal to the cops. The government of every country has the highest authority to ensure law and order.

As Christians, we can seek justice at the law court when necessary. There are various institutions in our societies that protect and promote morality and civil rights.

The most important thing is for those authorities to rule with the fear of God. God can avenge you through these institutions.

Many people believe in the “law of karma.” However, this concept isn’t a Biblical doctrine. The Bible has it that you reap what you sow.

The wrongdoer will never go unpunished. As the Lord has declared he will not let sin go unpunished (Nahum 1:3).

God avenge people who are mistreated. Children, the poor, and the widow for instance have no one to pay back those who take advantage of them. The Lord always watch over them and will always send his wrath on anyone found guilty in his sight

How Jeremiah Sought For Vengeance — Bible Lesson

It happened that some men from Anathoth conspired to get rid of Jeremiah. Why? Because he was pronouncing prophesy of doom on them.

As they delighted in doing evil and never want their evil deeds to be exposed, they sought to kill the Lord’s innocent prophet.

The wrath of God was already blazing against them. Jeremiah lamented:

“Before this, I had been like a docile lamb ready to be led to the slaughter. I did not know they were making plans to kill me. I did not know they were saying, “Let’s destroy the tree along with its fruit! Let’s remove Jeremiah from the world of the living so people will not even be reminded of him anymore.” (Jeremiah 11:19)

Jeremiah’s Prayer For Vengeance:

“But, the LORD of hosts, who judges righteously, who tests the heart and the mind, I shall see your vengeance on them; for to you have I revealed my cause.” (Jeremiah 11:20)

God listened to his servant and rendered to him the justice he so deserves.

“Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts, “Look, I will punish them: the young men shall die by the sword; their sons and their daughters shall die by famine.” (Jeremiah 11:22)

The moral lesson here still points to the fact that God is ever ready to give righteous judgment to anyone who deserves it. Just as the scriptures say “Vengeance is mine, says the Lord.”

Helpful Bible Verses About The Lord’s Vengeance

Now, get ready for some helpful Bible verses about the vengeance of God. He never changes. He will always judge mankind and judge again at the end of the world.

1. “For we know the one who said, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge his people.” (Hebrews 10:30)

Vengeance is mine Bible verse

2. “O LORD, the God who avenges! O God who avenges, reveal your splendor!” (Psalms 94:1)

3. “The LORD is a zealous and avenging God; the LORD is avenging and very angry. The LORD takes vengeance against his foes; he sustains his rage against his enemies.” (Nahum 1:2)

4. “For it is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be in fear, for it does not bear the sword in vain. It is God’s servant to administer retribution on the wrongdoer.” (Romans 13:4)

5. “Then I entered the precincts of God’s temple, and understood the destiny of the wicked. Surely you put them in slippery places; you bring them down to ruin. How desolate they become in a mere moment! Terrifying judgments make their demise complete!” (Psalms 73:17 – 19)

6. “For the message is a witness to what is decreed; it gives reliable testimony about how matters will turn out. Even if the message is not fulfilled right away, wait patiently; for it will certainly come to pass – it will not arrive late.” (Habakkuk 2:3).

In Summation

Being a true Christian requires a whole lot of discipline. You need to pursue love, justice, kindness, self-control, patience, etc. As you restrain yourself to live like Jesus Christ, your reward will come from above.

Remember, what Jesus Christ said:

“But I tell you, do not set yourself against the one who is evil. But whoever strikes you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also.” (Matthew 5:39)

Never give vent to your anger even if you are right. Vengeance belongs to the Lord. Just like how Jeremiah presented his case to the Lord, so you should present your case to him.

Some of our enemies are hiding in places you kind find them. But God who sees everything and knows everything will find them and let them drink from his cup of wrath.

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