Some Key Words (12/17/00)

Revenge (ekdikeo [1556]):

to avenge or punish; to vindicate one's right, to do one justice, defend one person from another; retaliate

Wrath (orge [3709]):

anger as a state of mind, desire with grief, the desire to punish one who has hurt us, the effect of anger or wrath; temper, agitation of the soul, any violent emotion, indignation, anger exhibited in punishment; an excitement of the mind, a violent passion

Repay (antapodidomi [467]):

to requite, penalty and vengeance;

Coals (anthrax [440]):

a live coal, the expression here signifies that the memory of your kindness in the face of his wrong will so pain your enemy as if there were live coals heaped on his head - provoking him to repentance;

Overcome (nikao [3528]):

to conquer, carry off the victory, be victorious, to win one's case at law; to subdue

Evil (kakos [2556]):

wicked, that which is evil in itself and puts others in trouble; not such as it ought to be, base thinking, wrong thinking, troublesome, injurious, destructive, baneful; intrinsically worthless, depraved

Good (agathos [18]):

good and benevolent, profitable, useful; of good constitution or nature, agreeable, pleasant, excellent, upright, honorable;

 

Paraphrase: (12/17/00)

19 It is not your place to take revenge, rather, it is in the province of God's wrath to repay wrongs as He will. 20 For your part, provide for your enemy. Give him food and drink according to his need. 21 Don't allow another's evil to steer your course, but rather let God's goodness work through you to steer theirs.

Key Verse: (12/17/00)

12:21 - The goodness of God within us ought to shape the course of the evil surrounding us, and not the opposite.

People Mentioned: (12/17/00)

N/A

Some Parallel Verses (12/17/00)

12:19

Pr 20:22 - Don't even declare your intent to avenge, but rather wait for the LORD to save. Pr 24:29 - Don't do to others as they have done to you. Dt 32:35 - Vengeance and retribution belong to God, who will draw their day of calamity upon them. Ps 94:1 - God is a god of vengeance [, as well as love and justice.] 1Th 4:6 - We mustn't transgress our brothers, for the vengeance for that act is in the Lord's hands. Heb 10:30 - Vengeance is the LORD's, and He will judge His people.

12:20

2Ki 6:22 - Elisha displayed this concept in having the armies of Ben-hadad fed with a great feast, upon their capture. Pr 25:21-22 - the passage quoted. Note that not only will this lead the enemy to repentance, but it also leads the LORD to reward you. Mt 5:44 - Jesus reiterates the command to love our enemies, and to pray for them. Lk 6:27 - Love them, and do good to them.

12:21

 

New Thoughts (12/18/00)

I am so thankful that my Lord is more merciful than I. Where I would seek only revenge, He chooses to seek reconciliation. Where actions only provoke me to anger, they provoke Him to compassionate efforts. Lord, will I ever get beyond this? By Your grace, I know I will, but I grow weary of the waiting. I grow weary of being so offended by myself, of falling so far short of Your desire. And yet…

You have shown me places where You have brought change, not through any action of mine, but seemingly just by my bringing You into the situation within me. You have shown me a little of how to submit to Your will, even when Your will is for me to do nothing. You are teaching me how to stay within Your command, rather than trying to outdo Your desire. It's hard, my Lord, it's hard. So many things, I simply don't want to do. So many things that I oughtn't do are strongly desired. I am very much the bull in harness, needing that goad to keep me moving in the proper direction.

The lesson of these verses is indeed to submit to Your will and authority, to cooperate with Your plans and intentions. Oh, when I've been hurt, how hard it is to refrain from cursing! When I'm merely frustrated, how hard it is to refrain from anger! And yet, You speak "this is My desire." When You desire to bring repentance and reconciliation, help me, oh Lord, not to work for condemnation. You have commanded us to seek always to be a cause for peace, not strife. Father, with all that is within me, I offer up my vengefulness, and submit myself to Your far better will. Help me, Lord, to refrain from striking out in my hurt. Help me, Lord, to be merciful and understanding when those around me are in the same struggles, for condemnation is all the stronger when it faces its own weaknesses in another.