Friday, 14 August 2026

Romans part 194 - Life in the Body 19

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Romans 12:20 Rather, "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For by doing so you will heap coals of fire upon his head."

What's this? ... First it was, "Never take vengeance." Now it's, "Feed your hungry enemy." Consider how this might apply to the current war situation in Israel. Without making a political statement, we should treat the words of the Bible with gravity. Now I AM going to make a political statement in the following RT.

Rabbi Trail: The news media is fond of characterizing Israel's attacks on the Hamas terror organization as revenge. Israel is neither being vengeful nor retaliatory, it is being strategic. Every action is designed to prevent a future attack by incapacitating the enemy. This is an enemy that Israel must weaken until it no longer has the capability of harming Israel and its citizens. The object is not to match "slaps," but to permanently "KO" the adversary. Now, what was that about loving your enemy? End RT.

You know, I'm starting to think Paul didn't write a single original thought in his letters. Here he is quoting Proverbs 25:21-22 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, for you will heap coals of fire on his head and Adonai will reward you.

"Heaps of coals" is figurative for guilt and shame. Acts of kindness bring conviction. Giving the enemy food and water is euphemistic for acts of kindness. How might performing acts of kindness bring victory? Maybe that's a question we cannot answer, but God can. Our assignment is to walk in faith with acts of kindness and watch the blessings of God be made manifest. Yeshua, Himself, gave us these instructions, are we listening? ...

Luke 6:27-31 But I say to you who are listening: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for the ones who mistreat you. To the one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also. And from the one who takes your cloak, do not hold back your shirt. Give to every one who asks you; and whoever takes something of yours, make no demands upon him.

Do to others as you would have them do to you.

Shalom shalom.