RTW March 9
Vengeance and Love
Then the Lord said to Moses,“On behalf of the people of Israel, take revenge on the Midianites for leading them into idolatry. After that, you will die and join your ancestors.”
Numbers 31:1-2
My Takeaways
Something Old
How can God love and be vengeful at the same time?
Wrath is defined as “the emotional response to perceived wrong and injustice,” often translated as “anger,” “indignation,” “vexation,” or “irritation.” – Vengeance
God is a God of love, but we can’t forget, He is also a God of justice.
Wrath is reserved for those who
- Bring harm to His children. (Numbers 31)
- Disobey Him. (Psalm 78:56-66)
- Don’t follow God’s will. (Deuteronomy 1:26-46, Joshua 1:7)
Wrath is not just an OT thing.
- John 3:36
- Romans 2:5-6
Wrath is reserved for God. It’s reserved for God. Both humans and God express wrath. But there is vast difference between the wrath of God and the wrath of man. God’s wrath is holy and always justified; man’s is never holy and rarely justified.
- Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” (ESV) Romans 12:19
- I will execute great vengeance on them with wrathful rebukes. Then they will know that I am the Lord, when I lay my vengeance upon them.” (ESV) Ezekiel 25:17
- For we know him who said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.” (ESV) Hebrews 10:30
- See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. (ESV) 1 Thessalonians 5:15
Something New
Balaam was killed in the battle against the Midianites. (Numbers 31:8)
Something to Do
Leave vengeance up to the God who loves me.
I have to be honest, I struggled with the lesson today. I believe God spoke a messsge to me and possibly I am not fully understanding Wendy’s message. Please let me know your thoughts if you think I’m off the path here.
According to Wendy’s list who wrath is reserved for, I deserve God’s wrath. Even as I walk with and follow Him. But then doesn’t that just point straight to the saving grace of Jesus? For by His blood we are saved!
“Since, therefore, we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we saved by Him from the wrath of God.” Romans 5:9
I read verses John 3:36 – this to me speaks of unbelievers he is speaking about. And Romans 2:5-6 I interpreted to mean intentional rebellion.
Even though as a believer I still fall into the sin Wendy listed, I am saved from God’s wrath because of Jesus! Praise Jesus!
This doesn’t mean that I have a free pass to live according to my own will in life, but God knows my heart and if my heart is right and seeking Him, even when I mess up, even daily, I am still free from God’s wrath. I am given grace upon grace upon grace thanks to Jesus.
Something Old:
– The men got in a little trouble because they didn’t completely destroy the midianites. The allowed women and children to live. It was the women who lead them into idolatry. It make me think about what areas of sin or enticement I have allowed to remain and have not removed completely.
– Num 31:48 – everyone was accounted for after the battle..not one was missing.
Something New:
– the priest and the holy objects went out in front in battle. This surprised me because i figured they want those protected. But it reminded me that God’s presence goes out in front of me in all I face. He doesn’t stay back where it’s ‘safe’. He leads the charge and fights for me!
– Balaam was killed in this battle
Something To Do:
– completely remove and destroy things that are enticing me to sin. Remove all sin from my heart before the Lord.
– Trust that God goes before me into whatever battles I face today!