Good Morning Friends,
“If your enemy is hungry, give him food to
eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap
burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.” (Proverbs 25:21-22)
In the Middle East, the nights can be cool,
even when the days are warm. Starting a fire each evening when you build camp
could be a very difficult thing in the days before matches and lighters. It
became common practice for those who were traveling to take hot coals with them
from the fire the night before. Often they were carried in a container that
rested atop the turban worn on a man’s head.
At times something might happen and the coals
you were carrying went cold. Or there could be some reason you were not
carrying coals with you. In such a situation it would a great kindness to be
given burning coals by someone else.
Solomon is encouraging us to treat our
enemies with kindness when they are in need. A hungry or thirsty enemy is an
enemy in distress. How you treat an enemy in distress could turn them from an
enemy to a friend. What an opportunity would be presented in such a situation
to turn a relationship around.
Relationships are always important to God.
The New Testament instructs, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you,
live at peace with everyone.” (Romans 12:18) God longs to see us do anything we
can to make right relationships that have gone wrong.
Even with those you would call enemies, look
for ways to help them. Perhaps their hearts will be changed … or your heart
will be changed … and they will become friends!
His, by Grace,
Steve
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