God's Sovereignty Over Human Retaliation in Scripture
God's Sovereignty Over Human Retaliation in Scripture
The concept of God's sovereignty over human retaliation is rooted in the biblical understanding that vengeance belongs to God alone. This is explicitly stated in Deuteronomy 32:35, where God says, "To me belongeth vengeance and recompense" [8]. The Psalmist echoes this sentiment, declaring, "The Lord is the God to whom revenge belongeth: the God of revenge hath acted freely" [3].
The biblical basis for God's sovereignty over vengeance is closely tied to his nature as a just and righteous judge. The justice of God is a fundamental aspect of his character, exercised in his moral government [4]. As the supreme judge, God has the authority to impose righteous laws on his creatures and execute them righteously. His legislative justice requires conformity to the moral law, while his rectoral or distributive justice deals with accountable creatures according to their actions [4].
In Scripture, God's sovereignty over vengeance is often contrasted with human retaliation. The apostle Paul quotes Deuteronomy 32:35 in Romans 12:19, emphasizing that believers should not take revenge, as vengeance belongs to God [5]. This is reinforced by the Psalmist, who appeals to God as the one "to whom vengeance belongeth" and asks him to "show thyself a man of vengeance" against the wicked [6].
The biblical narrative also highlights God's sovereignty over human actions, including those that may seem driven by a desire for revenge. one tradition notes that even the wrath of man shall praise God, and that he will restrain the remainder of wrath [1]. This is echoed in the New Testament, where the apostle Paul writes that the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men [2].
The sovereignty of God over human retaliation is not limited to the realm of personal vengeance. It also extends to the administration of justice through human authorities. According to the apostle Paul, civil magistrates are "God's viceregents" and are authorized to execute wrath on those who do evil [8]. This understanding is rooted in the biblical concept of God's sovereignty over all human authorities, as expressed in the book of Psalms: "The Lord is King for ever and ever" [1].
The historical development of this doctrine can be seen in the writings of early Christian interpreters. John Gill, a Baptist/Reformed commentator, notes that vengeance belongs to God alone and that human authorities are merely his representatives [5, 6, 8]. Similarly, Matthew Henry, a Nonconformist/Puritan commentator, emphasizes that God's sovereignty over vengeance is a source of comfort for believers, who can appeal to him against their oppressors [7].
Sources
- Psalms “even the God who executes vengeance for me, and subdues peoples under me. -- Psalms 18:47”
- Romans “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, -- Romans 1:18”
- Psalms “Psalms 93:1 (DRC) — The Lord is the God to whom revenge belongeth: the God of revenge hath acted freely.”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Justice of God — That perfection of his nature whereby he is infinitely righteous in himself and in all he does, the righteousness of the divine nature exercised in his moral government. At first God imposes righteous laws on his creatures and executes them righteously. Justice is not an optional product of his will, but an unchangeable principle of his very nature. His legislative justice is his requiring of his rational creatures conformity in all respects to the moral law. His rectoral or distributive justice is his dealing with his accountable creatures according”
- Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 10:28: For we know him that hath said,.... That is, God, whom the apostle and the Hebrews knew; not merely by the works of creation and providence, but by the Scriptures, which they were favoured with, and by which they were distinguished from the Gentiles, and by which they knew his being, nature, and perfections; particularly, that what he said he was able to perform, and that he was true and faithful to every word of his, and to what he has said, Deu 32:35 vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompence, saith the Lord. Vengeance belongs to God, not as to the affection,”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 94:1: O Lord God, to whom vengeance belongeth,.... As it does to God, and to him only; not to Heathen deities, one of which has the name of Vengeance given it, Act 28:4, nor to Satan, the enemy and avenger, and his spiteful principalities and powers; nor to men, who are not to exercise private revenge on their fellow creatures; only to civil magistrates, to whom public revenge belongs, they being God's viceregents, and representing him; otherwise to God only it belongs, against whom sin is committed; and he will, in his own time and way, execute it; he is "the God of reveng”
- Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 94:1: In these verses we have, I. A solemn appeal to God against the cruel oppressors of his people, Psa 94:1, Psa 94:2. This speaks terror enough to them, that they have the prayers of God's people against them, who cry day and night to him to avenge them of their adversaries; and shall he not avenge them speedily? Luk 18:3, Luk 18:7. Observe here, 1. The titles they give to God for the encouraging of their faith in this appeal: O God! to whom vengeance belongeth; and thou Judge of the earth. We may with boldness appeal to him; for, (1.) He is judge, supreme judge, jud”
- Deuteronomy (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Deuteronomy 32:34: To me belongeth vengeance and recompense,.... Or, I will repay, or recompence, as it is quoted in Rom 12:19; and so all the three Targums, the Septuagint and Vulgate Latin versions, here, and so Jarchi interprets it. Vengeance belongs only to a divine Person, not to an Heathen deity called Dice, or vengeance, Act 28:4; nor to Satan and his spiteful angels, nor to any of the sons of men in a private capacity; though magistrates, being in public office, and representing God, are revengers to execute wrath on them that do evil, Rom 13:4; otherwise it is peculiar to”