The Source of Vengeance

“And the anger of the LORD was kindled against them, and he departed.”

(Numbers 12:9 ESV)

When people wrong us, when they act against us, our first instinct is to lash out at them. Our first instinct is to get back at them. Our first instinct is to treat them as they have treated us.

In short, we seek vengeance. This, after all, is what they deserve. And this, we believe, is what they have coming to them.

But is this how God would have us respond? The clear teaching of Scripture, when it comes to this question, is no. We see one such piece of evidence in Numbers 12.

We see, in this passage, that Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses. His own brother and sister spoke against him. Two of those, who were influential among the people of Israel, spoke against him.

They spoke against him because he had married a Cushite woman. He had married a woman who was from the area, known today, as Ethiopia. But his marriage, and its validity, was not the true issue.

Their motive in doing so, you see, was self-serving. It was an attempt to elevate themselves. It was an attempt to elevate themselves by bringing Moses down.

They asked if God had spoken only through Moses. They asked if God had not spoken also through them. In this way, they sought to even the playing field.

We’re then told about the character of Moses. We’re told that he was very meek. We’re told that he was very humble. We’re told, in fact, that he was more meek or humble than all the people on the face of the earth.

Considering the circumstances, Moses had every reason to be offended. He had every reason to become angry. And he had every reason, humanly speaking, to retaliate.

Moses, however, had not sought the calling placed upon him. Nor had he sought the authority God had granted him. And, as we can see, he didn’t seek to defend it in any way.

God, however, did so for him. God acted on his behalf. We see this as he called Moses, Miriam, and Aaron before him.

God made clear to them that Moses was, indeed, distinct among the people. He was distinct among the prophets. He pointed out that he had a relationship with Moses that was unique in nature.

God then addressed the sin of Miriam and Aaron, asking why they had not feared to speak against his servant, Moses. As we see in the verse above, his anger was kindled against them. And, as God’s presence departed, Miriam was found to be leprous.

We see from this that, although Moses did nothing to defend his position or his honor, God did so. We find that God acted on his behalf. And we find that he can be trusted to do so.

Consider also the example of Jesus. We read in 1 Peter 2:23 that, when he was reviled, Jesus did not revile in return. When he suffered, he did not threaten. He, rather, continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.

And in Romans 12, starting in verse 19, Paul gives this instruction: “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Just as Moses trusted God to defend his honor, so too can we. Just as he trusted God, as people rose up against him, so too can we. Even if it isn’t evident, as it was in the case of Moses, we can know that he is acting for our blessing.