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If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you. Proverbs 25:21-22
Will reward – Does this translation make sense to you? Is God promising to give you a reward for acting as He would act toward those who oppose you? Are we supposed to bless our enemies in order that we get something from God? Maybe there’s another way to look at this familiar verse. Maybe the LXX translation (“the Lord will reward you with good things”) misdirects us. Commentators suggest that “reward” is a synonym for reconciliation, but I see nothing here that supports this view. We are to act benevolently, period. There is no promise that this will result in a change of heart in our enemy. God “rewards,” not the enemy. Apparently something else is happening.
The Hebrew verb used here is shalam. You will notice immediately that it is connected to shalom. Shalam means “to be safe, to be completed.” By extension it becomes a description of reconciliation, peace, reward and restoration, but its primary meaning is simply protection. If we used this meaning, then our verse would say, “for you will heap red-hot blessings on his head, and YHWH will protect you.” Doesn’t that make more sense? We are facing our personal enemies. They hate us and the oppose God. They are enemies because they do not wish us shalom. But we are to act with shalom toward them. By doing so, we make ourselves vulnerable. But God will protect! It seems to me that the context of these verses require the primary use of shalam, not the extended metaphorical uses. If I am going to act benevolently toward someone who intends me harm, I need protection. That’s what God promises. Not material gain. Not personal reconciliation. Protection.
I can act benevolently toward those who are my enemies because God is sovereign and He promises that when I act on His behalf, He will watch over me.
What a relief! We can confidently proceed with the fulfillment of Torah obligations toward enemies. We have nothing to fear because He is sovereign. We don’t do it for the money. We don’t do it for the chance of reconciliation. We do it because He loved us when we were enemies. But we bless with His blessing – and that’s what we really need.
Topical Index: enemy, reward, shalam, protect, Proverbs 25:21-22
But G-d (demonstrated and) demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5.8)
“Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins.” (Ephesians 2.1)
Me? dead? Are you talkin’ to me? – Yes. I was once “dead” in my disobedience and many sins. I was “separated” from the life that is found in Christ. One thing separates man (any man) from G-d. That ‘one thing’ (clearly defined) is sin. We (all) by definition, clearly are “sinners” and again the word of G-d clearly elucidates and illuminates- “all have sinned.” We (both Jew and Gentile, rich and poor, male and female) the sons (and daughters) of the first Adam- are (to this very day) are sinners. But (and Hallelujah for this but) Christ died for sinners and in the word of Rabbi Sha’ul- “of whom I am chief.”
Paul was feelin’ it- the guilt, the shame, the defilement of sin. When we come to the realization and recognition of Who He is (holy) and who we are (sinful)- there is an ever-widening gap that seems impossible to close or to bridge.
Enter Christ. The (one) Mediator/Arbitrator between G-d (who alone is holy) and man (who is ever sinful). Can any among claim upon our own merit to be “without sin?” – or blameless? We feel (not to worry- we are in good company!) guilty because we are, in fact, guilty. It is not the amount of sin, it is the fact of sin. (Just the facts, m’am..). We (all) are sinners. No amount of Torah obedience (before salvation) is ever going to purchase our redemption- we cannot ever “save” or deliver ourselves- we need a Savior. We need a Redeemer. We need a Friend. Enter Christ.
“This is love: not that we loved G-d, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” (1 John 4.10) We have the ability to love others (all others) because He first loved us. We may forgive others who trespass against us (‘those’ sinners!) because He has (first) forgiven us.
One last thing. – No one can give what they do not possess. Hallelujah!- I’m forgiven. Hallelujah!- I am loved.
“You have heard that it was said, “You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
So that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?
And you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?
You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5:43-48
If I heard Roy Blizzard correct years ago the idea Yeshua is expressing here in the last verses of Matthew is that we must be in a convenant of Shalom even as our heavenly Father is in a convenant of Shalom with the evil and good and the just and unjust? Neighbor and enemy.
I believe this makes particular sense, as our heavenly Father shows benevolence toward the evil and the good and the just and the unjust. So must be our stance and lived out direction and reflection to the evil and the unjust.
“But we are to act with shalom toward them.”
Hmmm
As Mr Dinero says in the movie, Heat: “that’s the Discipline.”
And on the way to Proverbs 25:21-22 above, I came across Proverbs 21:3:
“To act virtuously and with justice is more pleasing to Yahweh than sacrifice.”
Which led me to Hosea 6:5-6:
“this is why I have torn them to pieces by the prophets,
why I slaughtered them with the words from my mouth,
since what I want is LOVE not sacrifice;
knowledge of God, not holocausts.
Which led me to a reference from one of my favorite songs:
Hosea 6:4:
“This love of yours is like a morning cloud,
like the dew that quickly disappears”
Morning Dew – Truth (8/68)
Jeff Beck Group with Rod Stewart, Ron Wood, and Nicky Hopkins
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zb6WRqZRG-E
Great stuff, Michael. Had not hear it in a long while. It is hard to believe it has been 40+ years now. WOW!
“Reason to Believe” Tim Hardin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bW6VZi0ICs&feature=related
“hard to believe it has been 40+ years now”
Hi Mary,
Yep, that is great stuff!
And it was about 40 year ago that my first wife left me to hang out with Rod Stewart and his “high rolling” friends.
And it took me about 40 years to get over that one with a lot of Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen.
Speaking of Rod Stewart, he didn’t actually write Reason to Believe.
But it too is a great song and I always thing of him and Maggie May when I hear it 🙂
Sorry to hear about what your first wife did and although I like Rod Stewart’s voice, I was never the fan of his that so many were (I did like his hair, tho!!)
Much of so-called secular music is ostensibly raw and real as they enter a venue where they are free to express their questions and observations about life. The danger in having these questions and not finding the truth, lies in the drug of choice used to calm the soul when these questions and observations cause distress and confusion. Those who follow Messiah chose the Way of the Master through Torah, those who do not follow Him use whatever devices they can. Sex, drugs, and rock and roll. I do not find anything wrong with the music, per se, however, the messages if some of the lyrics (the message) and the lifestyles of many of those musicians push the boundaries of YHWH to the side. Many of them offer their gifts as sacrifices to the gods/goddesses of humanism.
I rather love and appreciate the giftings of musicians and their ability to make an inanimate object come to life. Beck’s guitar skills are somewhat other worldly. The young woman playing the bass like she owns it is awesome as well! Thanks again!
Hi Mary,
Well my first wife was a great gift to me and she did many wonderful things for me both before and after she hurt my feelings 🙂
And I was never a big fan of Rod Stewart either, but I did like his Maggie May and Reason to Believe.
I agree with your characterization of the musician’s world to an extent, but at the same time think that musicians are often much more in touch with the spiritual world than most non musical folks like myself.
For me their world was always a bit too scary, but my first wife was consumed by it.
One of the most extraordinary experiences I ever had was listening to Pharaoh Sanders play his tenor sax and sing The Creator has a Master Plan, peace and love for every man.
And Miles Davis tended to open the same Doors for me; as did Jim Morrison 🙂
Bonnie Dobson – Morning Dew
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aawu-kPl5p8
Hello again Mary,
You know the more I listen to the original Morning Dew by Bonnie Dobson, the more I like it
Maybe even better than the Jeff Beck Group, with Rod Stewart
“If I am going to act benevolently toward someone who intends me harm, I need protection. That’s what God promises. Not material gain. Not personal reconciliation. Protection.”
This is what YHWH revealed to Ezekiel and attempted to reach the hearts of His people through the prophet’s words, but as history revealed many did not heed the warnings. In Ezekiel 33:30-32, YHWH speaks loudly that men can attend the meetings and even compliment the preacher on what should otherwise be a soul rending message. That message, spurring them on to good works, deeds of righteousness with pure hearts, should have driven them to seek the shelter of YHWH. But, the hearts of those in attendance, were far from YWHW and centered on themselves and what benefit they could derive from only having the FORM of godliness rather than obedience. Is it any different today?
It has been my experience with many Christians in Pentecostalism, that the Word is viewed as a formula that works and becomes evident through acquisition of money, position, authority, gold, silver, houses…the list of the world continues on…and these things will often make an individual more attractive to others. It’s somewhat like a spiritual mind game with material results. That sounds somewhat scary to me now. I don’t really want to call it what it sounds like because those that practice such will not inherit the Kingdom. Sounds as though we need to guard our hearts from this trap and to do good to all for the right reason. My prayer is for my heart to be right with Him and not just go through the motions.
Shabbat Shalom to all.
—Sounds as though we need to guard our hearts from this trap and to do good to all for the right reason. My prayer is for my heart to be right with Him and not just go through the motions.–
Skip has been through this in his excellent exposition of the Beattitudes- (or attitudes that ought to be). We have learned (hopefully, by now) “blessing” is not in “having” but in “being.” And our “being” is found in “being” in right-relationship with our Abba Father- a very present Help in time of need. Have we reach the point of recognition and realization our hearts beat because of Yah, our next breath is because of the mercies of Elohim- in Him- we live and move and have our being. Where (tell me) can we possibly go to “escape” His ever watchful eye when both our downsitting and our uprising, our very thoughts are open and naked in the eyes of Him with whom we have to do?
Our “enemies” are really not our enemies, but rather potential brothers and sisters of G-d’s extended forever family. All that is necessary is for us is to cross that line, the place where G-d declares us “not guilty”- “forgiven, forever.” “This one is Mine.” And what a blessed place that is! To come to the place of knowing- “I am His- and He is mine”- joined together in intimate, blood-covenant union. The union of two houses- the human and the divine. “I am My Beloved’s and He is mine!”
“Dear friends, now we are children of G-d, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when He appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as he is.” (1 John 3.2)
“‘. . . YHWH will protect you.’ Doesn’t that make more sense?”
The conclusion appears dependent upon whether or not we think of “protection” as a reward. In which case, the question becomes: is protection the only reward intended here?
I don’t think this follows. The question is not whether protection is a reward but rather if protection should be the proper translation. If protection is the right translation, then the question of reward is beside the point. No reward is implied if shalam is about safety.
“‘. . . YHWH will protect you.’”
Hi Ian,
I don’t think it is a reward, maybe what is important is that we “feel” protected.
As Carl says, our [well] “being is found in “being” in right-relationship with our Abba Father.”
oops I didn’t see Skip’s reply
As I digested Todays meal offering this Shabbat I recalled the passage in Exodus 34: 23Thrice in the year shall all your men children appear before the Master YHWH, the Elohim of Israel. 24For I will cast out the nations before thee, and enlarge thy borders: neither shall any man desire thy land, when thou shalt go up to appear before YHWH thy Elohim thrice in the year.
While these verses may not at first appear to deal with “heaping coals of fires on the heads of your enemies” they were certainly promises of Divine protection for following Yah’s command for all the men to leave their homes, land and perhaps, in some cases, even their wives and children for what for some, at the furthest point from Jerusalem , may have been several weeks. Since these 3 particular feasts were agricultural in nature it wouldn’t be difficult for the enemy to watch and wait for the communities to be defenseless. While not heaping burning coals on their enemies head it was, as the old radio commercial for Motel 6 proclaimed: “We’ll leave the light on for you”! This was almost tantamount to an invitation to their many enemies or opportunists to steal, kill and destroy. But Yah promises Divine protection and He delivered! Imagine the joyful shouts of the returning feast goers as they crested the final hill to see their homestead just as they left it! They would have boasted of YHWH in delivering their lands, houses and crops from the hands of their enemies. Sabras indeed.
Imagine how their faith was fortified each time they kept the festivals of YHWH. He was their strong tower and defense and He is ours too! Hallelujah!!! Shalom and Shalam!
Michael,
The imagery you have conveyed is powerful, and accurately describes one of the ways I perceive His protection to be evidenced in our lives. Thanks.
YHWH offers us, according to our free will and of our choosing, the privilege to be in blood covenant with Him. This is the covenant (testament) provided by and paid for in full by Yeshua HaMashiach, through the atoning, propitiating, holy blood of the perfect Passover Lamb, shed by our Sovereign Savior, our suffering Shepherd/King on the execution stake, the tslav.
It is through tHis blood, we receive pardon. It is through tHis blood we receive protection. It is through tHis blood we receive provision. It is through tHis blood we receive peace. It is through this blood we receive “all things that pertain unto life, both “now” and “then.”
is “eternal life” a quantity or a quality? Yes, it is.
Such a great insite to this verse. When using the word reward in this scripture, it made it one of those verses that made the Bible seem that God relied on Karma. For example, if I go into the face of danger to serve God he is going to give me what I want. However, when you change it to, when I go into the face of danger to serve God, he is going to protect me. This to me is such a better way to phrase this verse. It fits God’s persona and how the rest of scripture describe our God’s actions.