To take on retribution is to take on God’s role of judge. Paul spoke about this in Romans (12:19). There we’re told to love our enemies, feed them, and give drink to the thirsty. (Rom.12:20-21) Our temptation is to repay in kind. It is the role of wisdom to call us to restraint. Once we restrain our natural instincts we open the way for a redemptive response and leave judgment to the One who judges righteously.
Read More evil, retribution, restraint, the "Righteous One"
Given the perversity of Persian law-making, once a law is enacted, it cannot be revoked. The first law enacted for the thirteenth day of Adar authorized the enemies of the Jews to kill and wipe them out. To countermand this first law, the second law enacted for the thirteenth day of Adar authorized the Jews to come together and to attack and kill their enemies – in defense of their lives.
Read More restraint, God’s deliverance, defending lives