And he that killeth any man shall surely be put to death. And he that killeth a beast shall make it good; beast for beast. And if a man cause a blemish in his neighbour; as he hath done, so shall it be done to him; Breach for breach, eye for eye, tooth for tooth: as he hath caused a blemish in a man, so shall it be done to him again. And he that killeth a beast, he shall restore it: and he that killeth a man, he shall be put to death. Ye shall have one manner of Law, as well for the stranger, as for one of your own country: for I AM the LORD your God. (Lev. 24:17-22)
This command was not given that anyone should take revenge or seek vengeance upon another, but that the Law be administered justly and evenly. Once the case was decided and not before, the payment could be exacted by those in authority. The payment was to be even and in like manner, not excessive or vengeful, but in response to the offense. This was to be an everlasting statute among the Israelites which would also apply to the lawful strangers among them even as they sought justice, loved mercy, and walked humbly with God.
God has never allowed vengeance, in fact, He declared that vengeance was His alone, but does authorize like payment. He established a system of justice for Israel which mirrored His own. Even today, we do not exact vengeance, but when reconciling we pay evenly and justly for the loss incurred. God still demands payment for sin and declared us all guilty and worthy of death. Whatever our sin might be it has to be paid for and Jesus took our sin and the wrath of God upon Himself on the Cross of Calvary. The Law demanded life for life, eye for eye, stripe for stripe, and Jesus took ours upon Himself when He endured the beatings, the thorns, and finally that cruel Roman cross because of His love for us. Today, though the evenness of the Law still applies for justice, God has granted grace to whosoever will, not to sin more or trample on His grace, but that all who trust in Him and His finished payment for sin might live in and through Him a life which is truly life and is eternal and abundant.
God has sent those of us that know Him out into this world to reach the lost that they might be saved from sin. He desires that His people strive to be holy and obedient unto Him that we might minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides. We serve others, equipped with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our GOD has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of GOD so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of GOD might have life in His Name.
GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD, forgiveness from GOD, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet