In the book of Proverbs Solomon said, “As he that takes away a garment in cold weather, as vinegar upon niter, so is he that sings songs to an heavy heart”, and in chapter twenty-five and verse twenty-one of Proverbs Solomon said, “if your enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat” where we read,
If your enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat;
and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink.
The verse begins, “If your enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat;” Solomon began with the words, “if your enemy be hungry” or “whether and in case your, Solomon's readers and listeners', hating adversaries and foes exist as famished and starved”, “give him bread to eat” which means “grant, provide and supply him, your enemy, with food, grain or meat to consume and devour”. Solomon instructed his readers and listeners to feed their hating foes and adversaries if they are famished and starved.
The verse goes on to say, “and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink.” Solomon continued with the words, “and if he be thirsty” or “and whether and in case he, Solomon's readers and listeners' enemy, exist as athirst and desirous of liquid refreshment”, “give him water” which means “grant, provide and supply him, Solomon's readers and listeners' enemies, water-springs of refreshment” “to drink” or “to imbibe or moisten their throats and bodies”. Solomon said whether and in case his readers and listeners' enemies are athirst, provide them with liquid refreshment to imbibe.
When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Solomon what to do with people who are our hating foes and adversaries. Even when they are “hungry or thirsty” we are to provide for them. Solomon will give us a reason for this in our next verse, but for now let us think through the idea of ministering to people who hate us. Jesus said, “I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you” (See Matthew 5:44), and this is only possible through the help of Jehovah God who sent Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind. When we believe and trust in Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us the ability through His Holy Spirit to minister to our “enemies” even when they are hateful to us.
Next time Solomon says, “for you shall heap coals of fire upon his head”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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