Q5. Taking Vengeance

[Krissi]

The Bible does not condemn Gideon for this act so perhaps seeing Gideon as vengeful isn't how we're supposed to understand this. God certainly ordered his military men and leaders to slaughter entire cities and people in other places in the bible, so death, even brutal death, isn't necessarily out of His will.

I'm unsure, but am leaning toward thinking that Gideon's act was a just obligation (though I question his judgment in asking his son to kill two men.)

In the next paragraph, Gideon says that he and his sons will not be king, that only God is king, so he's clearly in line with God's will here.

Yes, Romans says not to avenge ourselves, that He will avenge us, a comforting thought. 

[Irmela]

Q5.  (Judges 8:18-21)

Why does Gideon slay Zebah and Zalmunna?

Is he unjust or fulfilling his just obligation? (Numbers 35:16)

Why does Romans 12:19 prohibit Christians from taking vengeance? 

This answer was written by bjcollin on June 10, 2003.

"Gideon slays Zebah and Zalmunna because they killed his brothers. In one sense Gideon is just in that God had given the whole Midianite camp in to his hand and here were the two Midianite kings finally in Gideon's hand. Also, these two kings had also killed his brothers which was a crime deserving of death. Gideon first orders his oldest son Jether to slay Zebah and Zalmunna, but he can't do it. The two Midianite kings then say 'As is the man, so is his strength.' Which means that as men we are only as strong as what we will do ourselves. Gideon then carries out the killing of Zebah and Zalmunna. In Romans 12:19, Christians are prohibited from taking vengeance because vengeance belongs solely to the Lord and it is not a loving attitude as Christ would have us portrait."

I think this answer is what I stand with to be right.  

 

 

[ShariRose]

Gideon killed Zebah and Zalmunna because they had killed his brothers.  They even threatened Gideon by saying the ones he killed were like him. He was required by law to wreak vengeance for his family.  

Gideon lived in a "post-Christian" world.  It was important to show power; it was a protection from violence. Christianity civilizes the societies that embrace Christ.   I'm so glad that God is now the one who avenges.