Historical Enmity

The concept of enmity is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, often reflecting the ongoing struggle between good and evil, as well as the conflicts between nations, peoples, and individuals. The origin of enmity is first introduced in Genesis 3:15, where God declares to the serpent, "And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; He will crush your head, and you will strike His heel." This passage is traditionally understood as the protoevangelium, or the first gospel, foretelling the ultimate victory of Christ over Satan.

Throughout the Old Testament, enmity is seen in the relationships between various nations and peoples. The Israelites, as God's chosen people, often found themselves in conflict with surrounding nations such as the Philistines, Amalekites, and Canaanites. These conflicts were not merely political but were seen as spiritual battles, with Israel's enemies often representing opposition to God's divine plan. For instance, in 1 Samuel 15:2-3, God commands Saul to destroy the Amalekites, stating, "This is what the LORD of Hosts says: 'I witnessed what the Amalekites did to the Israelites when they ambushed them on their way up from Egypt. Now go and attack the Amalekites and devote to destruction all that belongs to them.'"

Enmity also manifests in personal relationships, as seen in the account of Cain and Abel (Genesis 4:1-16), where jealousy and sin lead to the first murder. This personal enmity is a microcosm of the larger spiritual battle that pervades human history.

Divine Justice

Divine justice is a central theme in the Bible, reflecting God's righteous nature and His commitment to uphold moral order. The Bible portrays God as the ultimate judge who administers justice with perfect wisdom and fairness. In Deuteronomy 32:4, God is described as "The Rock, His work is perfect, for all His ways are just. A God of faithfulness without injustice, righteous and upright is He."

The Old Testament law, given to the Israelites, is a reflection of divine justice, providing guidelines for righteous living and the administration of justice within the community. The principle of "an eye for an eye" (Exodus 21:24) is often cited as an example of retributive justice, ensuring that punishment is proportionate to the offense.

Divine justice is also evident in God's dealings with nations. The prophets frequently warned Israel and other nations of impending judgment due to their sins. For example, the prophet Amos declares God's judgment on Israel for their social injustices and idolatry (Amos 2:6-16). Similarly, the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19) serves as a stark reminder of God's judgment against wickedness.

In the New Testament, divine justice is fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Through His sacrificial death and resurrection, Jesus satisfies the demands of divine justice, offering redemption and forgiveness to humanity. Romans 3:25-26 states, "God presented Him as the atoning sacrifice through faith in His blood, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance He had passed over the sins committed beforehand. He did this to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and to justify the one who has faith in Jesus."

The final expression of divine justice is seen in the eschatological judgment, where Christ will return to judge the living and the dead. Revelation 20:12-13 describes this event: "And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. The dead were judged according to their deeds, as recorded in the books." This ultimate judgment underscores the biblical assurance that God's justice will prevail, bringing an end to all enmity and establishing His eternal kingdom of peace and righteousness.