What does "I will avenge their blood" reveal about God's character? Setting the Scene “ ‘For I will avenge their blood, which I have not yet avenged, for the LORD dwells in Zion.’ ” (Joel 3:21) Joel describes a coming day when God openly settles the accounts of every wrong done to His covenant people. In that promise—“I will avenge their blood”—the Lord uncovers rich facets of His heart. The Meaning of “Avenge Their Blood” • “Blood” points to innocent life violently taken (Genesis 4:10). • “Avenge” translates a verb of personal redress: God Himself rises to repay, not leaving vengeance to impersonal fate (Deuteronomy 32:35). • “Their” identifies a specific people—Israel in Joel’s setting, yet by extension every servant sheltered in the Lord’s covenant mercy (Revelation 6:9-10). What This Phrase Reveals About God • Justice That Cannot Be Mocked – He refuses to shrug at murder or oppression. – Psalm 9:12: “For He who avenges blood remembers; He does not ignore the cry of the afflicted.” • Holiness That Demands Moral Cleanness – Numbers 35:33 shows that shed blood pollutes the land until atonement or retribution occurs. – God’s holiness moves Him to purge that pollution. • Faithfulness to Covenant Promises – Joel’s audience had endured brutal enemies. God pledges, “I will repay” in line with His ancient pledge to Abraham (Genesis 12:3). – He is the Shepherd who will not let a single lamb’s blood be forgotten (Ezekiel 34:11-12, 16). • Sovereignty Over Timing and Method – “Which I have not yet avenged” underscores deliberate timing. His apparent delay is never impotence; it is purposeful patience (2 Peter 3:9). – When the moment comes, He alone orchestrates events so justice is unmistakably His work (Isaiah 46:10-11). • Mercy Interwoven with Judgment – The same God who avenges blood also offers redemption through the blood of His Son (Ephesians 1:7). – At the cross, justice and mercy meet, proving that vengeance does not contradict love; it protects and vindicates it (Romans 3:25-26). Living in Light of God’s Avenging Justice • Rest in His Character – Personal wrongs need not fester into bitterness; Romans 12:19 urges, “Never take revenge… ‘Vengeance is Mine; I will repay,’ says the Lord.” • Stand for Life and Righteousness – Because God values every drop of innocent blood, His people cherish life from womb to grave and oppose violence and exploitation. • Proclaim the Gospel Urgently – Judgment is certain; forgiveness is available now through Christ’s blood (Colossians 1:20). Echoes Throughout Scripture • Genesis 9:5-6—Divine demand for reckoning of human blood • Psalm 75:7—“It is God who executes judgment.” • Nahum 1:2—“The LORD is a jealous and avenging God.” • 2 Thessalonians 1:6—“God is just: He will repay affliction to those who afflict you.” • Revelation 19:2—“He has avenged the blood of His servants.” Joel’s simple line, “I will avenge their blood,” pulls back the curtain on a God who is perfectly just, unswervingly holy, steadfastly faithful, and astonishingly patient—yet certain to act. Until that day, His people walk in hope, assurance, and holy awe. |
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