Devotionals

Bitter Retaliation

by Anne Adams
08/14/24
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Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression
    of the remnant of his inheritance?  You do not stay angry forever
    but delight to show mercy.  Micah 7:18 (NIV)

According to an ancient Greek myth, a young hunter named Actaeon set out with his dogs for the deep woods to hunt deer. Then as he followed a promising trail he stepped abruptly into a clearing to find a hidden forest pool – and was surprised to hear feminine voices, laughter and splashing. He pushed forward to find a crowd of young beauties - surrounding a tall stately woman who glanced up to fix her gaze on the young man.

To his shock Actaeon somehow realized that the woman’s ethereal dignity meant that she was a deity, and it could only be Artemis, goddess of the moon – who was bathing with her attendants.   Then as her rage became more intense Artemis suddenly waved her arm at him – and screamed the penalty to his innocent offense. 

Suddenly, the young man was transformed into a stag – and as he reared up in terror his new scent wafted to the nearby dogs – and the chase was on!  Within a few moments with a snarling passion the hounds seized their master and tore him apart.

Sound cruel? Of course it does –but actually it was standard procedure for pagan deities in their interactions with mortals. After all, Artemis was offended and wanted revenge.   

But why would they act so .. so ...human?  They did so because they were created by human minds and thus had human traits.

What a contrast from Micah’s description the God of Israel and  asks “Who is a God like you – who pardons the sin and forgives the transgression?” Who indeed? This deity was certainly not human – nor human created – and definitely not displaying human traits that made bitter retaliation standard procedure.

No, not human – but the eternal omnipresent, omnipotent and holy God – who not only forgives but “...delights to show mercy” – and to restore.