Blinded by Revenge
Joab Murders Abner
26 When Joab came out from David's presence, he sent messengers after Abner, and they brought him back from the cistern of Sirah. But David did not know about it. 27 And when Abner returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside into the midst of the gate to speak with him privately, and there he struck him in the stomach, so that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother. 28 Afterward, when David heard of it, he said, “I and my kingdom are forever guiltless before the LORD for the blood of Abner the son of Ner. 29 May it fall upon the head of Joab and upon all his father's house, and may the house of Joab never be without one who has a discharge or who is leprous or who holds a spindle or who falls by the sword or who lacks bread!” 30 So Joab and Abishai his brother killed Abner, because he had put their brother Asahel to death in the battle at Gibeon.
There is something about the revenge factor. Mankind seems to always want to “pay-back” those who do us wrong. We want to rejoice in their downfall. In the above text we read about Joan getting revenge over his enemy, Abner, for the fact that Abner killed his brother, Abishai. Now to be fair, Abishai was trying to kill Abner. Abner warned him to turn away and not attempt to kill him. In most courts of law, Abner would have been set free because he was simply defending himself. But, Abishai would not turn around. Of course, these facts would not convince Joan to back down on his revenge. He would not listen to the facts. He only wanted revenge. Revenge in the heart causes us to forget things. Revenge causes us to go blind to the truth. Notice what Paul tells us about revenge:
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 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.” 20 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.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
We are not to seek revenge. God is the only one who can, with complete justice, sort out the right form the wrong. We are to allow Him the power of others who have done us wrong. The only way to obey the text from Romans is to live by faith. God wants us to obey Him and trust Him, even with our pain of revenge in our hearts. Joab sought revenge himself. David will actually bring a curse on Joab and his family as a result. David will distance himself from Joab. This will become Josh’s legacy for him and has family. We would be best to allow God to fight out battles and bring revenge. He is holy and just. We are selfish and sinful. Only God can get revenge in perfect righteousness. If Joab would have listened to the truth he would not have killed Abner. But, he was blinded by revenge.
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