📖 A Thought from My Personal Meditation
Exodus 21:18–27
⚖️ “An Eye for an Eye”
When we read Exodus 21:23–25, we may wonder: Does the Bible promote revenge?
For a long time, I also thought so. But while meditating on this passage, God gave me a little more clarity about it.
In Genesis 4, Lamech says:
“If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold.”
Genesis 4:24
This shows the limitless spirit of revenge that existed in the fallen human heart.
Therefore, “an eye for an eye” was not a licence for personal revenge or retaliation because of personal hatred. It was part of Israel’s legal system. Based on the law given by God, judges were to determine appropriate judgements and punishments for wrongs committed.
But Jesus calls us in a higher way:
“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.”
Matthew 5:38–39
“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”
Romans 12:19
This does not mean that we should ignore injustice. But revenge does not belong to us. We can surrender our pain into the hands of God.
When Jesus Himself was falsely accused, beaten, mocked, and crucified, He prayed:
“Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.”
Luke 23:34
✝️ The Cross of Calvary shows us the essence of Christian life. There we see not revenge, but love; not hatred, but forgiveness; not retaliation or revenge, but a life of complete surrender before God.
Even when we face injustice, rejection, false accusations, and hurtful words, we can trust that God knows everything.
The sorrows and difficult circumstances in our lives are also being used by God to shape us into the character and likeness of Christ.
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
Romans 8:28
We may not understand everything that happens in our lives right now. But our pain, sorrows, and difficult circumstances are not meaningless in the hands of God. He is using them to shape us into the likeness of Christ.
May the good Lord bless you with these words.
🌿 Have a blessed day!
— Hineni