Divine Retribution

Have you ever been wronged?

I mean, really wronged like somebody was out to do you no good?

Or have you ever felt like: “Man, I would love to get back at that guy for doing . . . .”

We’ve all been there at some point in our lives where we wish that the harm done to us will somehow or someway be paid back.

God told Moses:

“Vengeance is Mine, and retribution, in due time their foot will slip; for the day of their calamity is near, and the impending things are hastening upon them.” –Deuteronomy 32:35.

Look, no matter how good you think you can handle “payback,” give it to God. Why? Well, in spite of the fact that He commands it, God will payback better than you could ever conceive of.

I was reminded of this from a post over at Jeff Musgrave’s blog Jeofurry’s Jesus Journey. He did a post last week called “Discovering Old Treasures.” Though I don’t think his intent was to write about retribution per se, I couldn’t help but be startled at the legend he quoted about Pharaoh and why he chose to drown the Israelite babies.

I then started to think about God’s retribution in the Bible. Some examples:

• Book of Esther: Haman builds a gallows/cross for Mordecai. By the end of the book, Haman is impaled/crucified on it himself instead of Mordecai! (Esther 7:10)
• Book of 2 Samuel: Ahithophel–at one time David’s trusted counselor–betrayed David and sided with David’s rebellious son Absalom. Ahithophel would later hang himself. (2 Samuel 17:23)
• New Testament: Just like Ahithophel, Judas–one of the twelve apostles–would betray Jesus and hang himself as well! (Matthew 27:5)
• Exodus: the story we mentioned a few moments ago. Pharaoh drowns the Israelite baby boys in an attempt to wipe out baby Moses. What happens to Pharaoh and his soldiers later at the Red Sea? God drowns them all. (Exodus 1:22; 14:24-30)

You feel like you “owe” someone because they wronged you? Give it to God, friend. Our job is to forgive. Let God deal with the person who wronged you.

Have you experienced what can only be divine retribution? Have you given something to God and watched Him deal with the situation for you? Let me know in the comments! It would be a great motivator for others.

May He Increase!