Leviticus 19:18

The prohibition against revenge and grudges showed their importance about trying to maintain harmony in the community and understand the bigger concept of forgiveness. In ancient Israel, personal vendettas could lead to a disruption in society and lead to cycles of violence. Being able to love your neighbor as yourself encapsulates God’s teaching of empathy and selflessness. It’s God’s command to treat people with the same care and respect that they want to be treated themselves. “Neighbor” is not just the people around you, but it’s more of the community as a whole. The laws given to Israel aren’t just the societal norms, but it’s rooted into how you understand who God is. The Levitical covenant calls the Israelites to obedience, not just out of duty but as an act of worship and reverence for God.

Holding grudges and seeking revenge are contrary to who God is and what God teaches. It’s easy to make sure we get revenge on the ones that hurt us and to hold a grudge in the relationship. Our emotions often want us to dictate how we act, but God tells us no. It’s contrary to God’s teaching. God encourages us to make sure we treat each other as we would want to be treated. God wants us to treat each other, even our enemies and the people who did us wrong, in the way we want to be treated. We are all human. We are all flawed. We are all troubled, but we need to learn, grow and evolve into who God created us to be. Sometimes that requires a ceasing of conversation and ending the relationships, but that doesn’t mean you will mistreat those people. It means you will still respect them with love them as God loved you.

Next slice of manna: Manna for the Mind #232