In what ways does Jeremiah 17:18 connect with Romans 12:19 on vengeance? Laying the Texts Side by Side “Let my persecutors be put to shame, but not me; let them be dismayed, but not me. Bring upon them the day of disaster; destroy them with double destruction!” “Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’ ” What Jeremiah Is Asking For • Jeremiah is under relentless persecution and mockery. • He appeals to God, not to personal retaliation. • His cry for “double destruction” echoes covenant curses (cf. Deuteronomy 28:15–68). • Jeremiah’s plea assumes God alone has the right—and the power—to settle accounts. What Paul Is Commanding • Paul forbids personal revenge. • He quotes Deuteronomy 32:35 to underline God’s exclusive claim to vengeance. • Believers are to “leave room” for divine wrath, trusting God’s timing and method of justice. • The command is immediately followed by a call to active kindness toward enemies (Romans 12:20–21). Shared Themes That Unite Both Passages • God owns vengeance. Neither prophet nor apostle grants humans the right to repay evil with evil. • Faith waits. Jeremiah waits by prayer; Paul tells the church to wait by refusing retaliation. • Divine justice is certain, though its timing may differ from ours (Psalm 94:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:6). • The faithful remain innocent. Jeremiah pleads, “not me”; Paul urges, “overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21). Key Differences That Complement the Picture • Old-Covenant context vs. New-Covenant ethic: Jeremiah’s prophetic office speaks covenant lawsuit; Paul speaks to a multi-ethnic church called to Christlike mercy (Matthew 5:44). • Language of judgment vs. language of patience: yet both spring from the same conviction—God will repay. Supporting Scriptures • Deuteronomy 32:35—source of Paul’s quote and backdrop to Jeremiah’s plea. • Psalm 37:7–9—“Do not fret when men succeed… the LORD laughs at the wicked, for He sees their day is coming.” • 1 Peter 2:23—Jesus “entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.” • Revelation 6:10—the martyrs cry, “How long… until You avenge our blood?” echoing Jeremiah’s tone while still awaiting Romans 12:19 fulfillment. Putting It into Daily Practice • When wronged, pray first. Articulate the hurt to God as Jeremiah did. • Refuse to plot payback. That choice is obedience to Romans 12:19. • Show tangible kindness where possible (Romans 12:20), trusting the Spirit to soften hearts—or to vindicate. • Remember every injustice is on God’s docket; He will either bear it at the cross for the repentant or judge it in wrath for the unrepentant. God’s word in both passages invites us to hand over our thirst for retribution to the only One righteous enough to wield it. |
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