Reparations & Vengeance
Good Morning,
When the bombs were dropped on Pearl Harbor, America retaliated against the nation and leaders who did the wrong. Today, two generations later, we are not angry at the Japanese neighbor or nation; they did us no wrong.
When men were charged with war crimes decades after the fact, for the evil in WWII society did not drag random Germans into court, they brought the men who had done the evil deeds.
Deuteronomy 24:16 “The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers: every man shall be put to death for his own sin.”
Ezekiel 18:20 “The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.”
The Japanese people of today did not hurt me or my family during WWII. The German citizens of today did not commit war crimes a generation ago. God forbids the punishment of a son because of the sins of the father. A child or parent that did wrong should have no bearing on the treatment of the relatives. We are commanded to be just and to love our neighbor as ourselves.
Here is the issue of the hour, I should not have to pay my son’s speeding ticket, nor should you be responsibility for the evil deeds of another. You may be sure that, as with Joseph and his brothers, God has found out the evil deeds done and will repay the right person. This righteous God will also judge the one who unjustly punishes the innocent.
Genesis 44:16 “And Judah said, What shall we say unto my lord? what shall we speak? or how shall we clear ourselves? God hath found out the iniquity of thy servants…”
We have seen someone shoot an office because the boss mistreated him. It was not the common people at work who hurt him, why punish them? Someone who walks into a school shooting randomly because he had a hard time in school a decade before is wholly unjust (and probably demonic). None of the people who suffer the consequences of his evil act did any wrong. That evil, hatred, and wrath, is not just, no matter how much one tries to explain it. Those action are evil, greedy, satanic, and godless. One can be sure that God has already seen the injustice, and those who seek unjust revenge will likewise be judged.
James 2:13 “For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.”
If someone hurt me terribly and their family member lives next door to me, I do not take revenge on those who did me no wrong – that act is evil beyond words.
Salvation is available to all who will place their faith in the sacrificial death of Christ. I am glad the Lord does not send one of us to Hell because another would not place their faith in Christ.
We are living in a world of such morbid selfishness and godless vengeance! Do not allow the common shameful response to wrong to lead you into the same vile behavior.
Ezekiel 18:20 “The soul that sinneth, it shall die,” not the friend, neighbor, or co worker.
In case you wish to enter the world of true godliness, you can read on in the story of Joseph and discover the forgiveness Joseph offered directly to the ones who hurt him.
Genesis 50:19 “And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God?”
vs. 20 “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.”
vs. 21 “Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.”
It would be wise for us to remember the archaic, old, golden rules: “Do unto others…,” “Love your neighbor as yourself,” and the other out-of-date idea to “forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” (Matthew 6:12)
But really, who lives like that anymore? (We should!)
Pastor