INTRODUCTION

A simplistic view of  vengeance involves the retribution of an evil deed. The first (Genesis 4:15And the LORD said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the LORD set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him.
See All...) and last (Jude 7) mention of the word vengeance substantiates this definition. The Bible uses words like recompence (Deuteronomy 32:35To me belongeth vengeance and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.
See All...), reward (Deuteronomy 32:41If I whet my glittering sword, and mine hand take hold on judgment; I will render vengeance to mine enemies, and will reward them that hate me.
See All...), punishments (Psalm 149:7To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people;
See All...), avenge (Jeremiah 46:10For this is the day of the Lord GOD of hosts, a day of vengeance, that he may avenge him of his adversaries: and the sword shall devour, and it shall be satiate and made drunk with their blood: for the Lord GOD of hosts hath a sacrifice in the north country by the river Euphrates.
See All...), revenge (Ezekiel 25:15Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because the Philistines have dealt by revenge, and have taken vengeance with a despiteful heart, to destroy it for the old hatred;
See All...), and repay (Romans 12:19Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
See All...) as descriptive words for vengeance. With this in mind, it is clear that vengeance is the just punishment as a consequence upon those who violate the laws of God. It is not the dispensing of wrath without cause but is specific punishment exacted for specific crimes committed.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): God punishes evil (Isaiah 13:11And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.
  See All...a). In Noah’s time, God saw that the wickedness of man was great and decided to send a flood (Genesis 6:5-7 [5] And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. [6] And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. [7] And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.
  See All...). Yet, He is so loving, He gave the people 120 years to repent while Noah built the ark and preached. Only eight people made it into the ark (Genesis 6:8-10 [8] But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. [9] These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God. [10] And Noah begat three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
  See All...; 1 Peter 3:20Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.
  See All...).
• (For everyone): How is God just in His execution of vengeance? Why is it so important to note that vengeance is punishment for evil doing? Does God ever mete out judgment to the innocent?
• Why is it dangerous for people to reject the concept that God is to be feared? Why should an understanding of vengeance make the wicked fearful?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask the Lord to help you tell others about God’s vengeance.
• Ask the Lord to keep you from His vengeance.

HYMN

Stop, Poor Sinner, Stop and Think

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