Posts Tagged: Proverbs 21:7

“Violence Instead of Justice”

On February 28, 2020 by Dteb With 0 Comments - down to earth believer

          “The violence of the wicked will sweep them away,

                        because they refuse to do what is just.”

(Proverbs 21:7 The Holy Bible, English Standard Version,

https://accordance.bible/link/read/ESVS#Jer._10:19)

I was struck by the fact that the violence of the wicked destroys the wicked, rather than their victims.  This is not to say that the wicked do not often destroy (or at least harm) the innocent.  Rather, it is to say that, ultimately, wicked violence destroys the perpetrator of such wicked violence.

Jesus was driving at something very similar when he said, “Those who live by the sword shall die by the sword.” (Matthew 26:52)  Jesus said this when Peter tried to deal with Jesus’ imminent arrest by drawing his sword.  If ever there was a time to draw the sword, surely this was it.  But apparently, Jesus didn’t think so.

This should make us a lot more careful about being violent or unjust ourselves.  Do we really want to be swept away by our own violence and injustice?

It should also make us reluctant to be too harsh with those who are violent and unfair.  I am not suggesting that such violent and unjust people ought not to be confronted and opposed.  They most definitely should be!  However, we need to set aside our judgmental and superior attitude.  The violent and the unjust are ultimately are ultimately destroying themselves, even as they are destroying others.  They have to live with themselves 24/7.  And who wants to live with a violent and unjust person?  We need to remember this, even as we confront and oppose.

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