Proverbs 25:21-22 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.
I am sure that you have noticed how extensively Proverbs is used in the New Testament. Here is another. Jesus referred to it, Paul quotes it {Romans 12:20}. Both James and John refer to the intent of this proverb. The main point being that serving God, following Christ, demands real action in real time. The application is variously – the poor, the needy, strangers, enemies.
I read somewhere that a man might call on a neighbour to collect some burning coals and carry them home in order to relight his own fire. Sometimes a BBQ is lit from a can of burning charcoal. Maybe the idea is sincere love will help people come to faith in Christ?
“Love your enemies, do good to them that hate you.”
Enemies? Should I have any? Maybe it includes people who see me as their enemy and treat me badly – “hate” me?
It is tough, very tough. Obeying this command ought to lead to love, popularity, success but, instead, seems to lead to scorn, derision and the Cross on a worldly level. Remember, though, God blesses (rewards) the peacemaker and the merciful.
