Psalm 72:14

Psalm 72:14

The avenger of blood

You will, no doubt, remember the scene in Genesis 4 after Cain has murdered his brother Abel. The Lord says to Cain, “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground. Now you are under a curse and driven from the ground, which opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. When you work the ground, it will no longer yield its crops for you. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth.” 

This is a chilling statement by the Lord, it suggests that He hears the cries of all those who have been murdered, their voices calls out to Him from the ground. It also tells us that those who have committed murder are under a curse.

In Numbers 35 we read about Cities of Refuge prepared for those who have unintentionally killed someone, so that they might hide from the family member who takes the role of the “avenger of blood.” In other words, they might forfeit their own lives even though the death they caused was an accident!

In Psalm 9:12 we read, “For He who avenges blood remembers; He does not ignore the cries of the afflicted.” 

In the context of the above, this verse is full of powerful truth. In the coming kingdom, Messiah will rescue those who have been oppressed and the victims of violence. The blood of victims is precious in His sight, and they are never forgotten. The Lord God will avenge them!

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