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Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Ephesians 4:31-21
Reflect
In recent years there has been a lot of interest in the duel between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr, largely because of the popularity of the Broadway musical, “Hamilton.” While the show takes some liberties with history, it does capture the essence of the rivalry between Hamilton and Burr. While these two men hadn’t always been enemies — they had at one point shared a law practice — most of their history had been less than friendly.
Time and again, the two found themselves on opposite sides of the political spectrum, including a Senate election in which Burr defeated Hamilton’s father-in-law. Hamilton was a Federalist, while Burr was a Democratic-Republican (although he tended to change positions on issues as it aided his political fortunes). The feud continued in the Presidential election of 1800, in which Burr and Thomas Jefferson tied in the electoral college. Hamilton was no fan of Jefferson, but he despised Burr and saw him as a danger to the future of the young country. It took 36 ballots, but with Hamilton’s support behind Jefferson, the House of Representatives voted to elect Thomas Jefferson the third President of the United States. Burr was relegated to Vice President.
The rivalry culminated in Burr’s 1804 campaign for governor of New York. Burr was part of a plan to secede the New England states, including New York, from the Union, and Hamilton — who opposed Burr for a lot of reasons — was also against that plan. So Hamilton lent his strong support to Burr’s opponent, and Burr once again lost an election because of his hated rival. This led to the fateful duel about which most of us are at least a little aware.
On July 11, Hamilton and Burr met on the Heights of Weehawken, N.J., to have it out once and for all. While Hamilton despised Burr, there is evidence that strongly suggests that he intended to “throw away his shot” and intentionally not shoot at Burr. Unfortunately, there is also evidence that strongly suggests that Burr had every intention of shooting to kill Hamilton. And as we now know, that’s exactly what happened. While Hamilton shot at a branch above Burr’s head, the Vice President shot Hamilton in the right hip. The bullet fragmented into Hamilton’s vital organs, and he died the following day.
You may know much or all of that story, but what can we learn from it and apply to our lives? The main lesson I see in this historical tragedy is that both men harbored bitterness in their hearts toward one another for years, and that festered into resentment and hatred. Initially, Burr wanted an apology from Hamilton for caustic remarks made about him, but Hamilton refused. It was likely pride that kept him from making amends, and to maintain his so-called honor, he ended up losing his life in a duel. Burr, of course, could have chosen not to become so enraged by Hamilton’s comments, and his so-called pride led him into the same duel — and ultimately into court on charges of murder. While the charges didn’t stick, the duel was the beginning of the end of his political career.
We can also learn a lot about charity and forgiveness from the two men. After the duel and in the hours before he died, Hamilton confessed to a priest that, “I have no ill will against colonel Burr. I met him with a fixed resolution to do him no harm. I forgive all that happened.” As for Burr, after the duel he noted that only the morning mist kept him from shooting Hamilton in the heart, and even years later he confided that he knew he was skilled enough to kill his rival. He never repented from the deed as far as anyone knows. He believed that history would vindicate him — and if “Hamilton” is any indication, history hasn’t even come close to doing that.
Both of these men grew up in a world that had great reverence for God. Hamilton was a devoted Episcopalian, and Burr was the son of a Presbyterian minister. Yet neither allowed the truth of the Gospel to penetrate their hearts. Hamilton believed it was his sacred duty under God to oppose Burr, but what about the Gospel mandates against bitterness and anger and for kindness, love and forgiveness? Both Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr are proof that mere church membership or the ownership of a Bible mean nothing when it comes to a personal relationship with the Lord.
Today, take stock of all of your relationships — including those with people with whom you don’t get along. If you find that any resentment, anger, hatred or bitterness remains toward anyone, pray that the Lord will help you embrace the call of Ephesians 4:31-32. Let today be the day that you begin to shine the light of the Lord’s love to everyone — even those who might be difficult to love.
Reflection copyright © 2022 Doug DeBolt.
Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
