Jesus the Avenger

For he will avenge the blood of his children; he will take revenge against his enemies. He will repay those who hate him and cleanse his people’s land. (Deuteronomy 32.43b)

The great stories across time all share a similar structure. A growing evil that must be defeated at all costs has begun to oppress the world. A hero or band of valiant souls set themselves against the encroaching darkness. In the journey evil appears to prevail, you can feel the music swell with weeping violins as the heroes weep for the fallen. This is the part of the movie where kids start looking at their parents to make sense of the injustice.

Long before the scattered disciples wept at the sight of Jesus dying on the cross, before the people of Israel were led into exile, Moses delivered a final song. His lyrics were cinematic in scope as he marveled at the majesty of God. His song was filled with the future failure of his people to keep the law as they embraced false gods; echoing with divine grief as the Lord’s judgment was leading them to exile. His song is a wake, grieving the future judgment.

But cue the orchestra because this is not the end. No, God will redeem his wayward people. He will reconcile them and invite the nations to rejoice as well. The Lord will triumph over evil and the corrupting forces at work within His creation. He will create new possibilities through His enduring faithfulness and cleanse us. He will avenge His people. Into our exile He is sending our avenger, Jesus.

How wonderful to know during the dark night of the soul that God will avenge his people. We need not take revenge on those who would threaten our reputations or assassinate our character. The Apostle Paul, like Moses before him—both with their share of personal attacks and insurrections—knew the Lord who said, “Vengeance is mine. I will repay.” Rejoicing is our best response then in the midst of our disillusion as we celebrate our Lord Jesus who will avenge His people and bring restoration to His creation.

Jesus, in the pain of hard times, in the chaos of this broken world,

I relinquish my hunger for justice that would raise up a spirit of revenge.

I trust in you to avenge the orphan, widow and stranger. I trust you will avenge me.

Jesus the Angels' Rejoicing

Rejoice with him, you heavens, and let all of God’s angels worship him. Rejoice with his people, you Gentiles, and let all the angels be strengthened in him. (Deuteronomy 32.43a LXX)

As the author of Hebrews is deep in compositional worship the words of the Septuagint flow from the quill of angelic praise. Words that the Holy Spirit had inspired in the heart of Moses find a renewed depth when the presence of Jesus is recognized. For Moses, he is writing his song, led by the Spirit, to guide His people from falling away from their loving Father and Creator. The words lift up the glory of God, the solid Rock, the overshadowing Sovereign who hovers over them like an eagle. For the author of Hebrews, raptured in the beauty of Christ, these words are extended to the glory of the Godhead. Jesus is our rock. He is our Creator, by whom, through whom and for whom we were created.

Jesus is the angels’ rejoicing. It transcends the mind to imagine endless scores of angelic beings lifting up their praise before the throne of God. Our Father God has commanded His angels to worship Him and to worship the Father is to worship the Son. There is no division between them. No faltering focus. They are one, triune with the Spirit. All of the heavens, cherubim and seraphim, heavenly beings and the saints that have gone before us, surrounding the cloud of His throne, are raptured in this eternal praise. And we are invited to join! O glory of the most High! We are grafted into the vine to sing His great name! Jesus, the angels’ rejoicing.

Jesus, I lift my voice with all the angels of heaven as I bow at Your throne. You are glorious!