S2E264-Proverbs 25: Love Your Enemies?

Transcript Today's Bible Translation Bible translation used in today's episode: Ch. 25 NIV Associate Producer Timothy La Fontaine Podcast Introduction It’s  Poetry Thursday, and we’ll read Proverbs 25. I’m calling this episode “Love Your Enemies?“ Design: Jason Paschall | Photo: Midjourney Summary Proverbs 25, along with the following chapters, contains a collection of proverbs attributed to King Solomon. These proverbs were compiled by King Hezekiah of Judah, approximately 270 years after Solomon's death. One of the verses in Proverbs 25, verse 21, encourages kindness towards enemies by providing food and water to those in need. The subsequent verse, verse 22, has been subject to various interpretations. Some suggest that it refers to a burning conviction experienced by the enemy when they receive kindness, while others propose the idea of lending a burning coal to help them start a fire. Regardless of how the enemy perceives this act, the focus of the proverb is on the responsibility of being kind to enemies. This aligns with the teachings of Jesus in Matthew 5:43-47, where he encourages love and prayers for enemies. Although it may not be easy, believers are called to love their enemies and can rely on the Holy Spirit for the ability to do so. Love is not solely based on emotions but is demonstrated through actions. By choosing to act in loving ways, bridges can be built even in difficult relationships. Support This a value for value podcast. There are no advertisers because advertising equals censorship. If you enjoy the Lifespring Family Audio Bible, decide how much value it brings to you. Only you can make that determination. Then put a number on the value and donate here: SUPPORT. The Team Lifespring Family Berean, Sister Denise: Transcript CorrectionMichael Haner: Podcasting 2.0 ChaptersScott Snider: Show ArtJason Paschall: Show ArtLifespring Family Berean, Sister Brittaney: Newsletter Publisher Transcript Download .txt file. Transcript corrected by Sister Denise Steve Webb 0:00Love is an action. Steve Webb 0:09This is the Lifespring! One Year Bible coming to you from Riverside, California, and podcasting since 2004, I'm your OG Godcaster, Steve Webb. It's Poetry Thursday, and we'll read Proverbs chapter 25. The website is lifespringmedia.com, and I'll have contact information for you at the end of the show. And I'm sure you noticed that yesterday's episode was an encore edition from last year. I had told you that I was going to try to get a new episode out for you after my cataract surgery yesterday, but by the time I got home, there just wasn't enough time to get it done. I'll tell you more about my surgery a bit later in the show. Plus I got some information. I've got an ept… I've got an update on Cassie's surgery as well. Before we read, let's pray. Our heavenly Father, we love you and we thank you for your Word. We thank you, Lord, for telling us about yourself in the Word. As we read today, I pray that you would bless us I pray that you would teach us and touch our hearts. I pray this in Jesus' precious name. Amen. All right, are you ready? Let's begin. Steve Webb 1:16Proverbs, chapter 25. These are more proverbs of Solomon, compiled by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah: It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings. As the heavens are high and the earth is deep, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable. Remove the dross from the silver, and a silversmith can produce a vessel; remove wicked officials from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established through righteousness. Do not exalt yourself in the king’s presence, and do not claim a place among his great men; it is better for him to say to you, “Come up here,” than for him to humiliate you before his nobles. What you have seen with your eyes do not bring hastily to court, for what will you do in the end if your neighbor puts you to shame?

Episode Transcript

Steve Webb (00:00):
Love is an action.
This is the Lifespring! One YearBible coming to you from
Riverside, California, andpodcasting since 2004, I'm your
OG Godcaster, Steve Webb. It'sPoetry Thursday, and we'll read

(00:21):
Proverbs chapter 25. The websiteis lifespringmedia.com, and I'll
have contact information for youat the end of the show. And I'm
sure you noticed thatyesterday's episode was an
encore edition from last year. Ihad told you that I was going to
try to get a new episode out foryou after my cataract surgery
yesterday, but by the time I gothome, there just wasn't enough

(00:42):
time to get it done. I'll tellyou more about my surgery a bit
later in the show. Plus I gotsome information. I've got an
ept... I've got an update onCassie's surgery as well. Before
we read, let's pray. Ourheavenly Father, we love you and
we thank you for your Word. Wethank you, Lord, for telling us
about yourself in the Word. Aswe read today, I pray that you

(01:05):
would bless us I pray that youwould teach us and touch our
hearts. I pray this in Jesus'precious name. Amen. All right,
are you ready? Let's begin.
Proverbs, chapter 25. These aremore proverbs of Solomon,
compiled by the men of Hezekiahking of Judah: It is the glory

(01:26):
of God to conceal a matter; tosearch out a matter is the glory
of kings. As the heavens arehigh and the earth is deep, so
the hearts of kings areunsearchable. Remove the dross
from the silver, and asilversmith can produce a
vessel; remove wicked officialsfrom the king’s presence, and
his throne will be establishedthrough righteousness. Do not

(01:50):
exalt yourself in the king’spresence, and do not claim a
place among his great men; it isbetter for him to say to you,
“Come up here,” than for him tohumiliate you before his nobles.
What you have seen with youreyes do not bring hastily to
court, for what will you do inthe end if your neighbor puts
you to shame? If you take yourneighbor to court, do not betray

(02:14):
another’s confidence, or the onewho hears it may shame you and
the charge against you willstand. Like apples of gold in
settings of silver is a rulingrightly given. Like an earring
of gold or an ornament of finegold is the rebuke of a wise
judge to a listening ear. Like asnow-cooled drink at harvest

(02:35):
time is a trustworthy messengerto the one who sends him; he
refreshes the spirit of hismaster. Like clouds and wind
without rain is one who boastsof gifts never given. Through
patience a ruler can bepersuaded, and a gentle tongue
can break a bone. If you findhoney, eat just enough— too much

(02:57):
of it, and you will vomit.Seldom set foot in your
neighbor’s house— too much ofyou, and they will hate you.
Like a club or a sword or asharp arrow is one who gives
false testimony against aneighbor. Like a broken tooth or
a lame foot is reliance on theunfaithful in a time of trouble.

(03:17):
Like one who takes away agarment on a cold day, or like
vinegar poured on a wound, isone who sings songs to a heavy
heart. If your enemy is hungry,give him food to eat; if he is
thirsty, give him water todrink. In doing this, you will
heap burning coals on his head,and the Lord will reward you.

(03:39):
Like a north wind that bringsunexpected rain is a sly
tongue—which provokes ahorrified look. Better to live
on a corner of the roof thanshare a house with a quarrelsome
wife. Like cold water to a wearysoul is good news from a distant
land. Like a muddied spring or apolluted well are the righteous

(04:01):
who give way to the wicked. Itis not good to eat too much
honey, nor is it honorable tosearch out matters that are too
deep. Like a city whose wallsare broken through is a person
who lacks self-control.
Proverbs 25 is a set of proverbsfrom 25 to 29 that were

(04:22):
collected under the supervisionof King Hezekiah of Judah about
270 years after Solomon died.Let me read for you verses 21
and 22 again. "If your enemy ishungry, give him food to eat; if
he is thirsty, give him water todrink. In doing this, you will
heap burning coals on his head,and the Lord will reward you."

(04:44):
The first part of that verse 21is self-explanatory. Give your
enemy food and give him water.But 22, what does that mean? "In
doing this, you'll heap burningcoals on his head and the Lord
will reward you." Well,commentators over the years have
not agreed whether heaping coalson the head is a good thing or a
bad thing from the viewpoint ofthe enemy. And it could be

(05:05):
referring to a burningconviction that happens in the
heart of the enemy when we dosomething good for them. Or
maybe the thought is of lendinga burning coal to him to help
him light a fire for himself.The motivation nonetheless is
that we make a friend of anenemy and we will receive a
reward from the Lord. AdamClarke wrote in one of his

(05:26):
commentaries, quote, "Not toconsume, but to melt him into
kindness," unquote. BruceWaltke, a respected Old
Testament scholar who's writtenan excellent two-volume set of
commentaries on the book ofProverbs said, quote, “Most
commentators agree withAugustine and Jerome that the
‘coals of fire’ refers to‘burning pangs of shame’ which a

(05:49):
man will feel when good isreturned for evil, his shame
producing remorse andcontrition.” Well, I don't know,
but whether the coals on hishead is positive or negative,
from the viewpoint of yourenemy, really isn't the point.
His attitude is not yourconcern. It doesn't change your
responsibility. In this proverb,God is telling us that we should

(06:12):
be kind to our enemy. And isn'tthat really what Jesus said in

Matthew 5:43-47? Here it is: “You have heard the law that (06:16):
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says, ‘Love your neighbor’ andhate your enemy. But I say, love
your enemies! Pray for those whopersecute you! In that way, you
will be acting as true childrenof your Father in heaven. For he
gives his sunlight to both theevil and the good, and he sends

(06:36):
rain on the just and the unjustalike. If you love only those
who love you, what reward isthere for that? Even corrupt tax
collectors do that much. If youare kind only to your friends,
how are you different fromanyone else? Even pagans do
that." Well, this is, of course,not an easy thing to do. At

(06:58):
least not for me. Maybe you'redifferent. But it is what we are
called to do. And that's why wehave the Holy Spirit. Because
through him, we have the abilityto love our enemies. The
question is, will we? Do youremember yesterday's episode, "I
Will"? Loving our enemies is anact of will. It isn't based on

(07:19):
our emotions. It certainly isnot as easy as deciding to
praise the Lord as yesterday'sepisode was about, but it can be
done. Remember, love is anaction. It's things that we do.
Obviously, it helps if we feelgood about the person, but even
when we don't, we can do lovingactions. And who knows when we

(07:41):
do those things, maybe we'llbuild some bridges. What are
your thoughts? Do you havecomments or questions? Contact
information is at the end oftoday's show. I do read every
comment and I just might playyour audio comment or read your
comment on the show. So pleasedon't be shy. Let me hear from
you. Tomorrow will be ProphecyFriday and we'll complete the

(08:04):
book of Amos by reading chapters5 through 9.
Timothy LaFontaine came in withhis monthly $20 donation making
him today's Associate Producer.Timothy thank you so very much
and God bless you. Boost. And wegot a couple of boostagrams.
@smarroquin sent in 1000 sats onthe Philemon: Slavery in

(08:28):
Biblical Times. He didn't leavea message he just sent the
boost. So thank you so much@smarroquin3. God bless you. And
Fountain user number 9190 - Ithink that's Brother Howie in
Phoenix - and he sent in 500sats. If you'd like to donate
time, talent, or treasure orfind out more about what that's

all about, go here: lifespringmedia.com/support. I (08:46):
undefined
will thank you and I believethat God'll bless you.
I'd usually save this for ournext prayer request and praises
day which will be this comingSunday, by the way, but in case

(09:07):
you were wondering aboutyesterday's cataract surgery, I
wanted to tell you a little bitabout it. Very quickly, let me
thank you for your prayers,first of all. The surgery went
well with no complications and Iwas sent home with a clear
plastic shield taped over theeye, which stayed on until
today's post-op checkup with thesurgeon. The checkup was fast
and easy. And the doctor said,and I quote, "You're perfect!"

(09:32):
Who knew that a simple cataractsurgery would remove all my
defects? I am perfect. TheLovely Lady LeeAnn was there
when the doctor said it so nowwhen she says that I've made
some sort of mistake at any timein the future, I'll just tell
her, "That's impossible! I'mperfect." Please leave a
message. And speaking of theLovely Lady LeeAnn. She called
the Lifespring Family Hotlineand left this message.

LeeAnn Webb (09:54):
Hello, my love. I just wanted to say hi to all the
Lifespring family and thank themso much for their prayers during
your surgery. And that helped tocalm the nerves a bit for you.
And it also helped the doctorsto do well in the surgery. So
we're just really grateful fortheir love and their
participation in our life. Wewould love to hear from you
guys. Tell us maybe what you'redoing for summer, and how God's

(10:16):
blessing. Take care, andhopefully, you'll give us a
call. Bye-bye.

Steve Webb (10:20):
Thank you, Sweetheart, for that message,
and I echo what she said. Soanyway, praise the Lord that the
surgery did go well. It'll beseveral days before the vision
clears up because things arestill a bit fuzzy looking, but
I'm not worried about that. Andalso a praise is due for
Cassie's surgery. They took herinto the operating room at about
11 am and in the recovery roomat about 1:30 pm. And then at

(10:44):
about 3:45, Brian said this, hesaid, "Cass is awake and crying
tears of joy. She said 'I'mgonna get my life back.'" And
then today, Wednesday, while Iwas putting this episode
together, it occurred to me thatit would be great to play for
you a song that Brian wrote justa few days ago. It's called
"Wonderful Things." I think itgoes very well with his great
news about Cassie. So I textedhim to see if it'd be okay with

(11:07):
him if I would share it with youand also how Cassie's doing and
he sent this.

Bryan Duncan (11:12):
Yeah, sure. You know what, there's never a
problem with you using anythingfrom my podcast. I wouldn't have
a podcast if it wasn't for you.Cassie, they're gonna move her
out of ICU later today. They'refilling out the paperwork now
because she's doing that well.They had her out walking up and
down the halls, you know, 'causethat's the first thing they do
is try to get you to starteating and swallowing and, you

(11:35):
know, walking. And then they hadher doing exercises from her
lounge chair. You know, liftyour legs, bend your feet.
Occupational therapist came byto test her reflexes and stuff
'cause they're watching herbrain basically, just make sure
that nothing got tweaked. Theonly thing is, man, when she
stands up, she... They had herwalk over to the sink to brush

(11:58):
her teeth this morning. Man,she... That's as shaky as I've
ever seen her. She just... justtremors almost. But they said
it's common because, you know,you've just got a hole in your
head and the anesthesia hasn'tcompletely worn off and they
don't really know why anesthesiadoesn't wear off the same for
everybody. But it may be acouple of days before she's not

(12:20):
loopy. And of course, I'll blamethat on how... I'll blame that
on everything she does from hereon out. But they're gonna move
her sometime this afternoon.Right now she's taking a nap
because they were waking her upevery... now it's only every
four hours. And now they're...they've cut her medication, the
oxycarbamazepine. At least fornow, they've cut it in half. She

(12:44):
went from 600 milligram to 300milligrams in just literally
overnight. So, you know, we'rewell on the road, but they said
four to eight weeks for her headto heal. And that's what she
says hurts the most right now,is right at the incision.

Steve Webb (13:00):
Now before I play this, for those of you that
might not know Brian was withthe Sweet Comfort Band back in
the 70s. And during his solocareer, he won a couple of Dove
Awards which is like theChristian Grammys. And instead
of just playing the track, I'mgoing to play his podcast
episode in which he introducedand played the song. His podcast
is called "Nutshell Sermons,"and most of the episodes are
about two minutes long. This oneis just under four minutes.

Bryan Duncan (13:22):
Bryan, your lunatic friend here. I was
filling in for a worship serviceat Tim Storey's church in Los
Angeles. Turns out some of theplayers on his worship team were
guys that used to back up R&Bsingers back in the day of
Smokey Robinson and theSupremes. And after the service,
I told him worship music wouldbe a lot funner if it sounded
like Motown. So the next daythey sent me some standard
Motown tracks. And just for fun,I decided I would write songs to

(13:46):
'em, at least a couple of 'em.We played the songs live next
time I came down and they got astanding ovation. This is the
live recording. I took that andadded my own voices to fatten
the background vocals. So here'sa rough idea of what I would do
if I was in charge of theworship service.
There wouldn't be a heavenwithout you. Wouldn't be a place

(14:07):
to belong. No answer to prayer,no chance to be there. Be no
hope for heaven at all. So I gotto say thank you for the
wonderful things that I forgotto thank you for. I got to say
thank you for the wonderfulthings before I come knockin'

(14:33):
for more. There wouldn't be aheaven without you. No hand to
hold the world in place. Thewonderful joy of forgiveness to

(14:57):
us. Nothing like your mercy andgrace. So I got to say thank you
for the wonderful things that Iforgot to thank you for. I got
to say thank you for thewonderful things before I come
knockin' for more. So let me sayjust bein' here and being on my

(15:22):
side, walking with me every day.Your love for me I see is tried
and true. So thank you for thewonderful things that I forgot
to thank you for. I got to saythank you for the wonderful

(15:44):
things before I come knockin'for more. Thank you for this and
thank you for that. Thank youfor this and thank you for...
Thank you for this and thank youfor that. Thank you for this and

(16:05):
thank you for... Just bein' hereand being on my side, walking
with me every day. Your love forme I see is tried and true. So
thank you for the wonderfulthings that I forgot to thank
you for. I got to say thank youfor the wonderful things before

(16:33):
I come knockin' for more. So Igot to say thank you for the
wonderful things that I forgotto thank you for. I got to say
thank you for the wonderfulthings before I come... before I
come knockin' for more.

(17:00):
I hope to do a better recordingof this eventually. Because who
knows, maybe we could worshipGod without sounding like we're
on Prozac. Let me know what youthink by leaving a comment under
this post. If you're on apodcast app, you might have to
go to the URL just type inNutshell. sermons.com Sign the
comments under wonderful things.

Steve Webb (17:18):
Yes, thank you, Lord, indeed. How'd you like
that? Wouldn't it be cool tohave some of this kind of music
in a worship service? I wouldlove it. Check out Brian's
podcast at nutshellsermons.comor on your favorite podcast app.
One of the things he's beendoing on the show is a series
about the Jesus Revolution ofthe 70s from his perspective.
It's a fun listen. On thedesktop version of his website,

(17:40):
click on "Jesus N Music" and ona mobile device, click on the
three horizontal lines at thetop of the page and tap on
"Jesus N Music." Now my nextstep with Brian is to really get
him squared away withvalue-for-value. His podcast is
enabled for receiving sats rightnow, but he isn't doing much
with it. But if you'd like tosend him some treasure, you can
do that on a modern podcast app.Nutshell Sermons. Send him some

(18:03):
love.
I would love to hear from you.If you have a comment. If you
have a question or a prayerrequest or a praise report,
here's how to reach me. To leavea voice message, call the

(18:25):
Lifespring Family Hotline at+1-951-732-8511. Or if you
prefer to use your keyboard, forprayer requests and praise
reports go toprayer.lifespringmedia.com. Or
for comments or questions go tocomment.lifespringmedia.com. Of
course, boostagrams are alwayswelcome. And lastly, my email
address [e-mail].

(18:48):
Thanks to Sister Denise, MichaelHaner, Scott Snider, Jason
Paschall, and Sister Brittaneyfor their donations of time and
talent. Today's show art is byJason Paschall. And also thanks
to Associate Producer TimothyLaFontaine for his donation of
treasure today to support theshow. Thanks for the
boostagrams. Thanks for thestreaming sats and thanks to
each one of you who have everdonated at any time in the past.

(19:11):
You're all a tremendous help andencouragement to me. You truly
do help to keep the show going.God bless each one of you. Thank
you for spending time with metoday. Until tomorrow, may God
bless you richly. My name isSteve Webb. Bye.

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