NOTES for Pro 24:1-34

Many counsels in the proverbs are repeated more than once, such as the recommendations not to do evil, not to associate with evildoers, to be diligent, and to value wisdom. Yet one can hardly call an additional reminder here unnecessary. But then we see advice that does not fit conventional notions of Old Testament wisdom if, as often happens, one limits oneself to a fragmentary and superficial perception of Scripture: one should not rejoice maliciously at an enemy’s fall, for this displeases the Lord. An enemy is a human being just like you; he too was created by the Creator and endowed with an immortal soul and human dignity, and therefore not every action against an enemy is permissible. It is not only that we are all descendants of Adam, although we should not close our eyes to the fact that all enmity is fratricidal. No less important is the fact that the end does not always justify the means; if we forget this, then even in the struggle for justice we can imperceptibly become bearers of evil ourselves.

If we read Scripture attentively, the Gospel words “love your enemies” (Matt 5:44; Luke 6:27, 35) will seem neither entirely unexpected nor contrary to the moral standards of the Old Testament.