GLEANINGS FROM THE SCRIPTURESThe Principle Of RetaliationBy Keith L. EstesThe feud between Israel and the Palestinians continues to rage. Palestinian martyrs are committing suicide and taking with them innocent lives, only to have Israel retaliate, and also take innocent lives. What is the Biblical answer to this problem and how do these parties justify such action? The principle of retaliation is common in both Hebrew and other law codes. The judicial penalty of an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth is stated in Exodus 21:24 as a means of ending feuds. Jesus gives a radical answer to this problem that few of us advocate. Let’s read His words as found in the fifth chapter of the Gospel of Matthew. “Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth. But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. Ye have heard that it hath been said, THOU SHALT LOVE THY NEIGHBOR, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? Do not even the publicans the same?” Jesus is clearly saying that an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth is not a license for vengeance. The Savior’s point is that we should resist not evil. Evil is seen here, not as a state, but rather as the action of the evil ones or the malicious ones. It represents the evil and sinful element in man that provokes him to an evil act. Jesus shows how the believer should respond to personal injury. He is not discussing the act. Jesus shows how the believer should respond to personal injury. He is not discussing the government’s obligation to maintain law and order. These passages do not mean that a man should not defend his family or his country, but rather that he should not attempt personal vengeance, even through the means of the law, to compensate for a personal injury. Jesus gives examples of how the believer should react to unfair or unreasonable treatment. In retaliation to physical violence, he is to turn to him the other cheek also. Man’s natural impulse is to strike back, but the disciple is not to be a natural man. He is to “overcome evil with good” There is no greater example of this ethical truth than the life and death of Jesus Himself. Here are some of the hard and difficult things that Jesus advocates. “But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other side also.” “And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.” Jesus taught us to have confidence in an almighty God who is completely aware of the injustices done to man and totally capable of evoking ultimate and eternal justice. “And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.” The believer is to be willing to “go the extra mile.” Doing double our duty not only proves our loyalty to human authority, but likewise proves the spiritual intention of our heart. “Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.” Jesus clearly taught that a loan should be looked upon as a potential gift. There are many statements in Proverbs against borrowing, lending, and surety. While we are warned of the dangers of borrowing and lending, Jesus clearly emphasizes that the believer ought to be willing to lend to those in need. Even the beggar is to be ministered to through the provision of giving. “Ye have heard that it hath been said, THOU SHALT LOVE THY NEIGHBOR, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” An initial reading of this text out of its context might seem to imply that loving one’s neighbor automatically makes one a child of God. However, the New Testament is clear that love is the evidence that one is already saved by the grace of God. Reference: Matt. 5: 38-45, Rom. 12:21, Prov. 6:1, 11:15, 22:7, 27:13, Lev. 19:18-34, 1 John 3:14, The Liberty Annotated Bible, King James Version. |