ODJ: a song to come
May 14, 2011
Even if that person wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, you must forgive (Luke 17:4).
READ: Genesis 4:17-24
Avenged Sevenfold lead singer M. Shadows claims his band doesn’t “take sides” in religion—an interesting approach to addressing the pressing questions that scream relevance for all of us: Is there a God? And if so, what is our response to His reality?
Despite the disavowal of things religious by Avenged Sevenfold, their name is overtly biblical. It’s derived from the Genesis account of the first murder. Cain, firstborn on the planet, killed his brother (Genesis 4:1-8). God confronted him but graciously promised Cain protection. “I will give a sevenfold punishment to anyone who kills you,” God told him (v.15).
Six generations after Cain, we find a strange juxtaposition. Lamech became the father of the first known musician, Jubal (Genesis 4:21). Lamech also recites the first poem recorded in the Bible—a poem that celebrates murder. In a boastful defense of his actions, Lamech alludes to God’s protection of Cain. “If someone who kills Cain is punished seven times, then the one who kills me will be punished seventy-seven times” (v.24).
How ironic, then, that when Peter asked Jesus how many times he should forgive someone, Jesus replied, “Seventy times seven” (Matthew 18:22). And Paul wrote, “Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God” (Romans 12:19).
Vengeance is the way of the world. It arises out of our innate sense that our world isn’t right. But that natural emotion fuels wars and keeps them going. We can never fully right any wrong ourselves. Our efforts are always inadequate, always doomed to futility. We need divine intervention. Thankfully, God offers it.
“How long to sing this song?” sings Bono in U2’s song “40.” And then he sings the promising answer, “I will sing a new song” (Psalm 40:3). The last song is nothing like the first poem. There is a far better song to come. —Tim Gustafson
What is your reaction when you’re wronged? Is there anything you’re unwilling to forgive?
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