Handling Justice & Revenge | Judges 8:14–21

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Our text today is Judges 8:14-21.

And he captured a young man of Succoth and questioned him, and he wrote down for him the officials and elders of Succoth, seventy-seven men. And he came to the men of Succoth and said, “Behold Zebah and Zalmunna, about whom you taunted me, saying, ‘Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna already in your hand, that we should give bread to your men who are exhausted?’” And he took the elders of the city, and he took thorns of the wilderness and briers and with them taught the men of Succoth a lesson. And he broke down the tower of Penuel and killed the men of the city.

Then he said to Zebah and Zalmunna, “Where are the men whom you killed at Tabor?” They answered, “As you are, so were they. Every one of them resembled the son of a king.” And he said, “They were my brothers, the sons of my mother. As the LORD lives, if you had saved them alive, I would not kill you.” So he said to Jether his firstborn, “Rise and kill them.” But the young man did not draw his sword, for he was afraid, because he was still a young man. Then Zebah and Zalmunna said, “Rise yourself and fall upon us, for as the man is, so is his strength.” And Gideon arose and killed Zebah and Zalmunna, and he took the crescent ornaments that were on the necks of their camels. — Judges 8:14-21

Gideon has captured the kings of Midian—Zebah and Zalmunna. On the way back, he confronts the leaders of Succoth and Penuel, who mocked him and refused to help. His “justice” is brutal—whips with thorns, tearing down towers, killing men. Then his motives become personal. The Midianite kings had killed his own brothers at Tabor. What began as God’s deliverance now slides into personal vengeance.

Sometimes justice and vengeance can look similar. One springs from God's work. The other springs from our own wounds. And it’s often hard to tell the difference, at least at first.

This is where leadership is dangerous. Gideon started as God’s instrument of deliverance, but his judgment now carries the marks of pride, anger, and personal pain.

We face the same temptation. As parents, bosses, or friends, we sometimes say we’re “teaching a lesson,” but often we’re just venting frustration. We claim it’s about “principle,” but sometimes it’s about ego. And when old wounds or grudges slip into our leadership, we’re not carrying out God’s justice—we’re feeding our own vengeance.

Here’s how to know the difference: Justice restores; vengeance consumes. Justice honors God; vengeance honors self. Justice disciplines with love; vengeance punishes with anger.

The difference is motive—and only a heart surrendered to God can keep that line clear. Don't act in vengeance; be just in all you do, otherwise you might end up hurting others forever and hurting your leadership all the same.

ASK THIS:

1. Where have I blurred the line between justice and vengeance?
2. Do I discipline others out of love, or out of frustration?
3. How do my past wounds influence the way I treat people today?
4. Am I willing to let God heal my pain so my leadership stays pure?

DO THIS:

Before reacting to someone’s failure or offense, stop and ask: Am I correcting to restore—or punishing to get even? Then invite God to purify your motives before you move forward.

PRAY THIS:

Lord, expose my hidden motives. Heal the wounds that fuel vengeance in me. Help me to lead with Your justice—pure, humble, and full of love. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

"Refiner."