What other scriptures emphasize God's role as a divine judge and avenger? The God Who Repays: Jeremiah 51:56 “For a destroyer comes against her—against Babylon; her warriors are captured, their bows shattered. For the LORD is a God of retribution; He will repay in full.” Divine Retribution Declared in the Law • Deuteronomy 32:35 – “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; for the day of their calamity is at hand, and their doom rushes upon them.” • Deuteronomy 32:41–42 – The Lord “will take vengeance on My adversaries and repay those who hate Me.” • Numbers 35:19 – The concept of the “avenger of blood” foreshadows God’s own perfect justice. The Psalms: Songs of the Avenger • Psalm 94:1–2 – “O LORD, God of vengeance… Rise up, O Judge of the earth; repay the proud what they deserve.” • Psalm 50:3–6 – God arrives in fire and tempest “that He may judge His people… for God Himself is Judge.” • Psalm 75:7 – “It is God who judges; He brings down one and exalts another.” Prophetic Warnings of Judgment • Isaiah 34:8 – “For the LORD has a day of vengeance, a year of recompense for the cause of Zion.” • Isaiah 59:17–18 – He puts on “garments of vengeance… so He will repay according to their deeds.” • Isaiah 63:4–6 – The “day of vengeance” leads to nations trampled in His wrath. • Nahum 1:2–3 – “The LORD is a jealous and avenging God… the LORD will by no means leave the guilty unpunished.” • Micah 5:15 – “I will take vengeance in anger and wrath upon the nations that have not obeyed Me.” • Zephaniah 3:8 – God gathers the nations “to pour out upon them My indignation… the whole earth will be consumed by the fire of My jealousy.” • Jeremiah 11:20 – “O LORD of Hosts, who judges righteously… let me see Your vengeance upon them.” Wisdom Literature Echoes • Proverbs 11:21 – “Be assured, the wicked will not go unpunished.” • Proverbs 24:12 – “Will He not repay a man according to his deeds?” New Testament Echoes of God’s Vengeance • Romans 12:19 – “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.’” • Hebrews 10:30 – Reaffirms Deuteronomy: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay.” • 2 Thessalonians 1:6–8 – God “repays with affliction those who afflict you… inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God.” Heaven’s Cry for Justice in Revelation • Revelation 6:10 – Martyrs cry, “How long… until You judge and avenge our blood?” • Revelation 11:18 – “The time has come… to destroy those who destroy the earth.” • Revelation 19:1–2 – “His judgments are true and just… He has avenged the blood of His servants.” • Revelation 20:11–15 – The great white throne scene shows final, irreversible judgment on the wicked. Key Takeaways • From Moses to Revelation, Scripture consistently presents the LORD as Judge and Avenger. • His retribution is righteous, timely, and certain; no injustice escapes His notice. • Believers rest in His promise to repay evil, freeing them from personal vengeance and fueling steadfast hope. |
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