![]() ![]() What these verses show in metaphorical language is that if we speak gently it can be powerful and if we rebuke wisely it can be valuable. We would not say that we should speak gently so that we can break someone’s bones or that we’ll get a gold earring if we rebuke someone. 25:15 Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, ![]() Is the rebuke of a wise judge to a listening ear. ![]() 25:12 Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold For example in the same chapter-you find these verses: In many of the Proverbs, the outcome is what most likely will happen in a metaphorical sense, but they are not absolute, literal promises. It is important to keep in mind, when looking at Proverbs that they are in poetic, figurative, metaphorical language. If he is thirsty, give him water to drink.Ģ2 In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, 25:21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat Because of that, Proverbs tells us how to act in this passage: He is merciful far beyond our comprehension, but He is also just. ![]() This passage clearly tells us who is in charge of revenge and punishment-that is God’s prerogative. 32: 35 It is mine to avenge I will repay. Here Paul is quoting two Old Testament passages, first:ĭeut. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Ģ1 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. If he is thirsty, give him something to drink. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge I will repay,” says the Lord. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. Romans 12:17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. To love and pray for enemies is a mark of a mature Christian because without Christ’s life and power in us, few of us can see past the pain and hurt others have caused to love and pray for them. One note on that passage is a reminder that “perfect” means to be a complete, mature Christian. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 5: 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. We were talking about a number of things at the end of class, and it is important to clarify that Jesus did say a similar thing about being kind to enemies, but He didn’t have the “burning coals” comment in the Sermon on the Mount where he said: There are quite a few of them, but take time to read them through to deeply understand the passage. After that I’ll make a few comments on the Proverbs source and following that, I’ll quote a number of interesting commentaries on the passage. Below is the passage and then following are the sources for Paul’s quote in the Old Testament. This is part of the overall section in Romans 12 where Paul is detailing how a Christian should live. Passage under discussion, Romans 12:17-21, what we’ll look at Following are some of the results I found. Though that is an understandable and possible conclusion, at the time I remarked that it seemed like a proverbial statement-that though that might happen, there is a difference between saying something might happen and that we should do something a certain way because of a possible outcome.Īs always I try to do additional homework on questions. We have some great discussions in our Live Life by the Book Class and this week, after we were looking at the lesson on how we should treat those who are unkind to us, one of the class members asked if God was telling us to be kind so people would feel badly. ![]()
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