Reflections on Proverbs 25:21-22

 Memory Verse: “If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; For you will heap burning coals on his head, And the Lord will reward you.” —Proverbs 25:21-22

A good relationship maintained with enemies brings rewards from the Lord. Let's dive deeper into Proverbs 25:21-22. This verse starts with “if” and points to that person who hates you, speaks malice about you, or wishes harm upon you (Psalm 41:5). The instruction is to feed that person if they're hungry and give them a drink if they're thirsty. Instead of retaliating with hate, we're called to show kindness, even to those who want us to suffer or die of hunger.

The result of doing good to our enemies is that we “will heap burning coals on his head.” I'd like to illustrate this with a personal testimony. When I, Silas, was in senior two during my high school at Halcyon, I wronged a friend by being arrogant and selfish after he borrowed a pen from me. I uttered hurtful words, saying, ‘You borrow a pen even when the term has just begun? What kind of family do you come from?’ Everyone looked at me, and I felt ashamed.

During holidays, I encountered the same friend in a slum while heading to a football match at Nakatunya Primary School. To my surprise, he gave me 1,000 shillings, telling me to buy something to eat and also get something for myself. As soon as I received it and he moved away, I felt the weight of my past wrongdoing. I was heaped up with burning coals on my head. I realized that I had been his enemy, but he showed me love and kindness without my asking. This act made me remember denying him a pen, and now he was giving me money. It was a lesson for me to do well to my enemies, and I repented of my sin, returning to a true living in Christ Jesus.

Apostle Paul echoes this teaching in Romans 12:20, saying, ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.’ From today on, let's choose to treat our enemies with kindness, trusting that our heavenly Father will reward us and supply all our needs according to His riches in glory. Let's not pay them back with evil but instead show them love, just as we're instructed in Scripture. Enjoy your Day!

In Christ, 

Silas Oriokot