THE MINOR PROPHETS SPEAK TO TODAY
With the Naming of Gomer's First Child
Hosea 1:3-5
With the Naming of Gomer's First Child
Hosea 1:3-5
God Announces He Is The
AVENGER!
And he has not forgotten his promise to avenge:
“Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.
Romans 12:19
quoting Deuteronomy 32:35
____________________________________________________________________________________
Vengeance Is Out of Date In The Churches!
Or so it seems in some churches. In others, the vengeance of the far right agenda is so strident that many people around the world believe, "Vengeance is Mine!" says the American churches.
A VENGEFUL GOD IS CERTAINLY REJECTED BY THE POPULAR CULTURE. I've been hearing that mantra for 50 years now and from my studies its voice echoes back from many years before that.
"I just can't believe in a vengeful God." "All I was ever taught was God was looking to punish me if I didn't be good." "God will get you!" (and that phrase did not refer to grace.)
Vengeance, it seems has no place in love -- in a loving God.
And yet many of these same people raise a rabid cry for justice - even a violent, endless, painful justice, depending on the crime and the relationship of the victim to me.
In fact it can be argued that the American justice system is primarily and foremost about vengeance.
And on this point there is concourse with nearly 100% the churches -- the so called people of grace and mercy.
___________________________________________________________________________________
But Vengeance Is Not Out of Date With God!
It is still part of his person, his rulership, and his character. It did not pass away with the grace that came through Christ Jesus.
sealing them away in my treasury?
I will take revenge; I will pay them back.
In due time their feet will slip.
Their day of disaster will arrive,
and their destiny will overtake them.’
I will take revenge; I will pay them back.
In due time their feet will slip.
Their day of disaster will arrive,
and their destiny will overtake them.’
“Indeed, the Lord will give justice to his people,
and he will change his mind about his servants,
when he sees their strength is gone
and no one is left, slave or free.
Then he will ask, ‘Where are their gods,
the rocks they fled to for refuge?
Where now are those gods,
who ate the fat of their sacrifices
and drank the wine of their offerings?
Let those gods arise and help you!
Let them provide you with shelter!
Look now; I myself am he!
There is no other god but me!
I am the one who kills and gives life;
I am the one who wounds and heals;
no one can be rescued from my powerful hand!
Now I raise my hand to heaven
and declare, “As surely as I live,
when I sharpen my flashing sword
and begin to carry out justice,
I will take revenge on my enemies
and repay those who reject me.
I will make my arrows drunk with blood,
and my sword will devour flesh—
the blood of the slaughtered and the captives,
and the heads of the enemy leaders.”’
and he will change his mind about his servants,
when he sees their strength is gone
and no one is left, slave or free.
Then he will ask, ‘Where are their gods,
the rocks they fled to for refuge?
Where now are those gods,
who ate the fat of their sacrifices
and drank the wine of their offerings?
Let those gods arise and help you!
Let them provide you with shelter!
Look now; I myself am he!
There is no other god but me!
I am the one who kills and gives life;
I am the one who wounds and heals;
no one can be rescued from my powerful hand!
Now I raise my hand to heaven
and declare, “As surely as I live,
when I sharpen my flashing sword
and begin to carry out justice,
I will take revenge on my enemies
and repay those who reject me.
I will make my arrows drunk with blood,
and my sword will devour flesh—
the blood of the slaughtered and the captives,
and the heads of the enemy leaders.”’
43 “Rejoice with him, you heavens,
and let all of God’s angels worship him.
Rejoice with his people, you nations,
and let all the angels be strengthened in him.
For he will avenge the blood of his servants;
he will take revenge against his enemies.
He will repay those who hate him
and cleanse the land for his people.”
and let all of God’s angels worship him.
Rejoice with his people, you nations,
and let all the angels be strengthened in him.
For he will avenge the blood of his servants;
he will take revenge against his enemies.
He will repay those who hate him
and cleanse the land for his people.”
Deuteronomy 32:34-43
New Living Translation (NLT)
And it is his message in the book of Revelation as well.
“Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.
Photo Credits:
My Vengeance Symbol Photo by Nailor29 @ photobucket
No comments:
Post a Comment