Do not say, "I'll do to him as he has done to me; I'll pay that man back for what he did" (Proverbs 24:29).

OK.  I understand the idea that we (i.e. people who follow God) are not supposed to be aggressors.  Proverbs 24:28 simply makes sense when it says, "Do not testify against your neighbor without cause, or use your lips to deceive."  This just feels like the decent thing to do.  Don't be mean.  Play nice.  Unprovoked violence (either physical or verbal) is just not cool.

But it gets harder for me when I can't react to others' abuse of me.  Something in me really struggles with the idea of injustice -- particularly if that injustice is being directed at me in some way.  Truth is:  I like the old Mosaic code, calling for retribution:  "But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise" (Exodus 21:23-25).  That makes sense to me, even if it might create some ugly situations with everyone trading tit for tat.  It feels very logical.  And yet, Proverbs 24:29 says:  "Do not say, 'I'll do to him as he has done to me.'"  It says that a payback system is not always advisable, despite whatever Moses might have said.  The Proverb doesn't exactly make it clear what the alternative might be.  But it is interesting to see that another alternative is considered.

Jesus picks up the conversation in Matthew 5:38-42.  He says, "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.'  But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person.  If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.  And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well.  If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.  Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you."  Of course, Jesus backed this up with his actions, particularly when forced to suffer the humiliation and pain of death on a cross.  He gave us a new standard by which to live:  grace.  And as frustrating as it can be to ignore the natural impulse for retribution sometimes, it can also be remarkably powerful when we find ourselves on the receiving end of grace -- especially Jesus' grace.

Romans chapter 12 reverberates the message of Proverbs 24:29 and Matthew 5:38-42 in a way that really helps to make sense of things for me.  There, it says, "Do not repay anyone evil for evil.  Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.  If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.  Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written:  'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' says the Lord.  On the contrary:  'If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.  In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.'  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" (Romans 12:17-21).  To me, this rounds things out on a lot of levels (too many levels to adequately address in this space) -- but perhaps most significantly, it satisfies me because it allows for active posturing within the situation, and it reassures me that justice will ultimately be done, in one form or another.  It's not just about what I should not say or do; it actually gives me a challenge to actively seek peaceful resolution and combat evil with good.  And with that classic reminder that God is the ever-watchful sheriff who'll see to it that the bad guys get their due, I can also sleep better at night.  It may take conscious effort on my part, but I can entrust the tough stuff to God and live by faith, grace, and goodness.