Revenge, a concept deeply rooted in human nature, is often depicted in the Bible as a pursuit of the wicked. The Scriptures provide numerous accounts and teachings that highlight the earnestness with which the wicked seek vengeance, contrasting it with the righteous path of forgiveness and trust in divine justice.

Biblical Instances of Revenge by the Wicked

1. Cain and Abel: The first act of revenge recorded in the Bible is the murder of Abel by his brother Cain. Driven by jealousy and anger, Cain's act of vengeance against Abel for being favored by God exemplifies the destructive nature of revenge (Genesis 4:3-8).

2. Esau's Grudge Against Jacob: Esau's desire for revenge against his brother Jacob for stealing his birthright and blessing is another example. Esau's anger led him to plan to kill Jacob, demonstrating how revenge can consume one's thoughts and actions (Genesis 27:41).

3. Saul's Pursuit of David: King Saul's relentless pursuit of David is a vivid illustration of revenge. Saul, feeling threatened by David's rising popularity and God's favor upon him, sought to kill David out of jealousy and fear (1 Samuel 18:8-9, 1 Samuel 19:1).

4. Haman's Plot Against the Jews: In the Book of Esther, Haman's plot to annihilate the Jewish people was driven by his personal vendetta against Mordecai, who refused to bow to him. Haman's wickedness and desire for revenge nearly led to the destruction of an entire people (Esther 3:5-6).

Teachings on Revenge

The Bible consistently warns against the pursuit of revenge, urging believers to leave vengeance to God. The wicked's earnestness in seeking revenge is contrasted with the call to righteousness and forgiveness.

· Proverbs 24:29: "Do not say, 'I will do to him as he has done to me; I will repay the man for his work.'" This proverb advises against repaying evil with evil, highlighting the futility and moral danger of revenge.

· 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.'" This passage from the New Testament reinforces the idea that vengeance belongs to God alone, and believers are to trust in His justice.

· Matthew 5:38-39: Jesus teaches, "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also." This radical teaching calls for a response of non-retaliation and love, even towards one's enemies.

Consequences of Revenge

The Bible illustrates that the pursuit of revenge often leads to one's downfall. The wicked, in their earnestness to exact vengeance, frequently find themselves ensnared by their own schemes.

· Proverbs 26:27: "He who digs a pit will fall into it, and he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him." This proverb warns that those who seek to harm others through revenge may ultimately bring harm upon themselves.

· Psalm 7:14-16: "Behold, the wicked man travails with evil; he conceives trouble and births falsehood. He has dug a hole and hollowed it out; he has fallen into a pit of his own making. His trouble recoils on himself, and his violence falls on his own head." This passage poetically describes the self-destructive nature of wickedness and revenge.

In summary, the Bible portrays revenge as a pursuit of the wicked, fraught with moral peril and divine disapproval. Believers are called to a higher standard, one that trusts in God's justice and embraces forgiveness over retaliation.Jeremiah 20:10
For I heard the defaming of many, fear on every side. Report, say they, and we will report it. All my familiars watched for my halting, saying, Peradventure he will be enticed, and we shall prevail against him, and we shall take our revenge on him.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

An Earnest Invitation
... had dwelt in the breast of one, and revenge had kindled ... They do not go downhill,
as the wicked do, from ... of endeavoring to reach you by earnest entreaty, while ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/an earnest invitation.htm

"Who Walk not after the Flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that ...
... sinneth not,"he keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth ... enemy, and esteems
it the noblest revenge, not to ... men; I say, the serious and earnest view of ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xvi who walk not.htm

Of the State Wherein Man was Created, and How the Image of God is ...
... things, but in a serious and earnest way, as ... A desperate wicked heart imagineth evil
continually, evil ... as ambition, pride, avarice, passion, revenge, and such ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/lecture xxiii of the state.htm

Concerning the Signal Chastity of Joseph.
... of reason; but she grew more ungovernable and earnest in the ... to Potiphar, and by
that means to revenge herself on ... if thou dost not punish the wicked slave who ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 4 concerning the signal.htm

Confession
... "If the wicked restore the pledge ... yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea,
what zeal, yea, what revenge! ... His confessions are not sincere and in earnest. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/steps to christ/chapter 4 confession.htm

Hebrews xiii. 17
... is not manifest to all, and the wicked [ruler] will ... himself on thee, for lamenting
is worse than any revenge. ... The earnest desire to come to them is [the mark ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xxxiv hebrews xiii 17.htm

Christ the Support of the Tempted
... nature full of pride, subtlety, malice, envy, revenge, and all ... so prevented all the
attempts of wicked and designing ... I come to show you, how earnest you ought ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/christ the support of the.htm

Matt. vi. 1
... with these, but meaning to signify how earnest He is ... darting out against thyself
those shafts of the wicked one ... enough for thee in the way of revenge, that thou ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xix matt vi 1.htm

Ephesians vi. 8-May
... our own people, so much the more earnest will it ... Apostle here by the world means
wicked men, and ... thing, here anger is profitable, here revenge is praiseworthy ...
/.../homily xxii ephesians vi 8-may.htm

Genesis
... in the Old Testament is a song of revenge, iv.23 ... Then follows the story of Abraham's
earnest but ineffectual intercession for the wicked cities of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/genesis.htm

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