I just finished watching the second season of 24 which ended in an interesting way. Someone who was betrayed by many people got back into the position where he was in control and could take revenge, which is also what they expected, but instead of that, he forgave them and gave them a second chance. It was quite unexpected and I at least was hoping he would strike back at them.
I found the following passage which illustrates a similar sentiment:
“If you want to avenge yourself of your foe, add to your virtues and walk in the ways of the just. This will give you vengeance over your foe, for he will be grieved by your good trait and your good name and he will mourn when he hears a good report of you. But if you do ugly deeds, your foe will rejoice in your dishonor and shame, and he will be taking revenge on you.” The Ways of the Righteous, p. 161
Its beautiful and certainly something I hope I would learn to keep in mind when feelings of revenge enter but I wonder whether this type of approach is suitable for all cases. What exceptions would be… perhaps there are cases where its naive to think that the person will be tormented because his victim is offering the other cheek and will just hit him again.
Thoughts?
Thoughts? The story of Joseph while in control of all the power of Egypt, second only to Pharaoh, could have taken revenge on his brothers who, years before, originally sought to kill him, and who sold him into slavery. Instead, he forgave them.
Also Proverbs 25:22 and Romans 12:20 come to mind.
But even if you are in a position to take revenge against people who would certainly hammer you again if given half the chance, isn’t there a way to protect yourself without doing to them exactly what they did to you?
Joseph wasn’t vulnerable to his brothers as an Egyptian victory. If a battered woman finally escapes her abuser, should she respond by hiring someone to beat him up? If justice truly belongs to God, what is our response. I think, in the case of a battered woman, she should testify against her abuser in court and let the state be the instrument of justice (though too often it isn’t in these cases).
I think a person should not allow themselves to be victimized twice and sometimes, that might mean taking action that will harm the abuser, but there’s a difference between self-defense and revenge.