Thoughts

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Proverbs chapters 25-29 were proverbs of Solomon that were collected under the supervision of King Hezekiah of Judah, about 270 years after Solomon died.

21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat;if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.22 In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head,and the Lord will reward you.Proverbs 25:21-22 NIV

Good? Bad?

Verse 21 is self-explanitory. But what does verse 22 mean?

Commentators over the years do not agree whether heaping coals on the head is a good thing or a bad thing, from the viewpoint of the enemy. It could be referring to a burning conviction that happens when we do something good for the enemy. Or perhaps the thought is of lending a burning coal to him to help light a fire for himself. The motivation, nonetheless is that we make a friend of an enemy, and we will receive a reward from the Lord.

Adam Clarke wrote in one of his commentaries, “Not to consume, but to melt him into kindness..."

Bruce Walke, a respected Old Testament scholar who has written an excellent two volume set of commentaries on the book of Proverbs, said, “Most commentators agree with Augustine and Jerome that the ‘coals of fire’ refers to ‘burning pangs of shame’ which a man will feel when good is returned for evil, his shame producing remorse and contrition.”

Book of Proverbs, Chapters 15-31: New International Commentary on the Old Testament (NICOT)By Bruce K. Waltke / Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.

Be Kind

Whether the coals on his head is positive or negative, from the point of view of your enemy, is not the point. His attitude is not your concern; it does not change your responsibility. In this proverb God is telling us that we should be kind to our enemy. And isn't that what Jesus said in Matthew 5:43-47?

43“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. 44But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! 45In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. 46If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. 47If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. Matthew 5:43-47 NIV

This is, of course, not an easy thing to do. At least it isn't easy for me. But it is what we are called to do. And that is why we have the Holy Spirit. Through Him, we have the ability to do it. The question is, will we?

Today's Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today's episode: Ch. 25 NIV

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