Proverbs 24:19-22, 29
19 Do not fret because of evildoers,
Nor be envious of the wicked;
20 For there will be no prospect for the evil man;
The lamp of the wicked will be put out.
21 My son, fear the LORD and the king;
Do not associate with those given to change;
22 For their calamity will rise suddenly,
And who knows the ruin those two can bring?
29 Do not say, “I will do to him just as he has done to me;
I will render to the man according to his work.”
In Proverbs there are two levels of human responsibility.
A. Individual: Which includes all personal interaction such as child-rearing and the social concerns of neighbors.
B. Government: All matters to do with tax, legal differences, criminal prosecution, and punishment. There is no place for personal revenge, retaliation, or vigilantism.
Proverbs assumes a society with a functioning civil government. The period of "Lex Talonis" is not it's subject. But ultimately, justice belongs to God. He will judge righteously.
Thank you Bill. A timely selection for me. I do look forward to receiving more from your blog. Blessings!
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