“Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles.” 
(Proverbs 24:17)

How do you respond when you hear of bad things happening to your enemies?  Personally, I’m not quite sure.  First of all, it’s hard for me to consider anyone an enemy.  The term seems so extreme.  There are people I dislike, and certainly people who have done wrong to me, but I’m not sure if I would consider them enemies.  So, replace “enemy” with someone who has wronged you…now ask yourself the question: “how do you respond?” 

This verse reminded me of a response I had this past summer when I learned the outcome of a situation that involved a person who wronged me in a big way.  I had been following this situation and anticipating the outcome and its closure for nearly 3 years when news finally came this summer.  For me, the outcome represented a lot:  the validity of right and wrong and a personal confirmation of God’s justice and protection.  Needless to say I was relieved and excited.  Part of me felt compassion on the person involved, but far more than that I rejoiced.  I told friends who were with me on vacation.  I went outside to praise God.  I was elated.  Tonight, months later, I can’t help but think over my response…especially in light of this verse.  Was it wrong of me?  Could I have responded differently?  I’m still trying to figure it out with this specific situation, but I know there are other instances when I could have and should have responded very differently.  The most prominent example of a right response lies with a story of Jesus himself. 

Jesus – He hung on a cross, placed there for reasons that are rooted in lies, personal vendettas and injustice.  There was no good reason for him to hang on that cross…But he was crucified.  It’s hard to say that Jesus would consider those that hung him enemies, but I’ll revert back to my alternate understanding…they were definitely people who had done wrong to him.    Luke 23 describes the scene well:

“As they led [Jesus] away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus…. Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified [Jesus], along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”  And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.  The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.”   The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.” (verse 26 – 37)

In Isaiah 52:14 we are told that Jesus would be beaten beyond recognition, disfigured and marred from human likeness.  He was beaten and then taken to die on a cross – ridiculed and shouted at…His response to those who did him wrong = prayer.  He asked God to forgive them.  My understanding of the eternal implications of God’s forgiveness is that they would be welcomed into Heaven.  So, if that’s correct, I will also suggest that Jesus was praying for God to forgive those who were killing him – asking that they would join him in Heaven. 

I can’t get my mind around that.  It’s profound and so easily read…yet so difficult to translate into my life and my actions.  Share a heavenly inheritance and spend eternity with a person who has done wrong to me or someone else?  Really, God?  Yes…Really! 

I guess the reality is that we are no more or less deserving of God’s forgiveness…and we are just as susceptible to sin as the next person regardless of whether they are friend or foe.  I can only hope that I would be mature enough to pray for God’s love to embrace and welcome in those whom I, personally, have the most trouble loving. 

Lord, I don’t know how to interpret my responses to those who have done wrong to me or others that I know.  God help me to understand this verse in light of praising and recognizing your justice.  I have a hard time reconciling the two.  And, please God, help me to love those who disappoint me, help me to not rejoice when a foe falls.  If only I could apply the wisdom of this Proverb AND respond in a prayer like Jesus.  Only by your Grace, Father.  Amen.