https://odb.org/MY/2023/06/27/heaping-coals-on-enemies
I think that it’s pretty special that this principle taught by Jesus to love your enemies was already recorded and taught during ancient times in the book of Proverbs. The book of Proverbs was believed to have been written by King Solomon and contained ancient wisdom that has proven to transverse time as thousands of years later, it is still relevant whether during Jesus’s time or present times and I believe will still be relevant until the day of Jesus Christ.
But note that the expression “heaping burning coals on one’s head” in Proverbs 25: 21-22 is not a revenge action meant to cause suffering, and neither is it a form of mental torture. The expression actually came from an Egyptian ritual where a guilty person carried hot coals in a bowl on his head to show his repentance. Thus, when we repay evil with kindness, we are hoping to induce repentance on the part of the wrongdoer that he will cease to do evil.
I think when we repay evil with kindness or good deeds, we are also displaying our love for the evil wrongdoer. There could be cogent consequences if anyone were to maliciously harm a servant and child of God. In the sense that our LORD God will likely not forget the evil deed or deeds done to His servant, and thus there might be divine retribution. But if that evil person repents from his evil doing, God in His gracious love and compassion may forgive him and withhold His divine punishment. I don’t believe that evil is unnoticed by God, especially malicious evil against God’s own people, and thus, if our kindness results in a change of heart and repentance by that evil person, then hopefully he will not have to face the wrath of God.
It is astounding that this principle stressed so much by Jesus during His time on earth was already in existence in the ancient book of Proverbs! We all know that in the Old Testament, it is very much “an eye for an eye” rule of life so much so that till today, modern-day Israel who based their Judaism faith on the Old Testament still practices the same. In fact, Israel practices outright earthly retribution of equal if not of higher proportion!
As believers, we can not excuse ourselves in any way to not forgive our enemies and not return evil with kindness. Even if someone were to intentionally harm us (poison pill, fiery darts, or outright backstabbing us) because of his or her jealousy or envy against us, our response must still be kindness. Remember, God loves everyone, no matter how evil they might have been. He loves even the 98-year-old selfish stirer of hate – what more the minnows at our office or at our neighbourhood or even at our church. Repay evil with good and kindness. That’s the way to go as taught by Jesus! Hallelujah!
Ronnie's Thoughts 