Heap Coals of Fire . . . romans 12:20
Vengeance, revenge, tit-for-tat, retribution . . . we have a million ways of getting back for wrongs done to us. "Don't get mad, get even." However, the calling for Christians is altogether different.
Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. Therefore"If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:17-21.
We are to turn the other cheek, feed the hungry enemy, give drink to the thirsty enemy, overcome evil with good . . . so what does this have to do with heap[ing] coals of fire [up]on his head? Are we to try to burn our enemies to death? Doesn't that just undo all the good will that is being generated? It turns out that in the wilderness the second most important possession is fire (the first, most important possession is drinking water). Recent reality television shows reinforce this point because when a survivor team is able to make fire, it has a huge distinct advantage over the other survivor team, in terms of warmth, ability to cook food, boil water and purify things, dry clothes and bedding, make smoke signals, melt metal for reuse, etc.
The same has been true throughout history. Fire was tremendously valuable, and the ability to transport fire was crucial to the survival of whole tribes of people. Much like in parts of rural Asia and Africa today, many heavy or awkward items would be carried on people's heads. The same is true of fire as glowing embers (i.e. coals) would be carried in clay pots which were balanced on the heads of men or women traveling with a roaming tribe.
So the "heap coals of fire on someone's head" thing is to provide the biggest favor imaginable. It is to give them something that they need to be able to live. It is to give them plenty (heap) so that they don't have to worry about the fire being inadvertently blown out with the next downdraft. In the end, it is overcoming evil with good.
You have heard that it was said, "You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy." But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect. Matthew: 5:43-48.
So if we emulate God, who loved us even when we were enemies against Him, then Jesus declares that we will just as our Father in heaven is. That's just perfect.
© S. Chan, 2006. All rights reserved.
Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. Therefore"If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:17-21.
We are to turn the other cheek, feed the hungry enemy, give drink to the thirsty enemy, overcome evil with good . . . so what does this have to do with heap[ing] coals of fire [up]on his head? Are we to try to burn our enemies to death? Doesn't that just undo all the good will that is being generated? It turns out that in the wilderness the second most important possession is fire (the first, most important possession is drinking water). Recent reality television shows reinforce this point because when a survivor team is able to make fire, it has a huge distinct advantage over the other survivor team, in terms of warmth, ability to cook food, boil water and purify things, dry clothes and bedding, make smoke signals, melt metal for reuse, etc.
The same has been true throughout history. Fire was tremendously valuable, and the ability to transport fire was crucial to the survival of whole tribes of people. Much like in parts of rural Asia and Africa today, many heavy or awkward items would be carried on people's heads. The same is true of fire as glowing embers (i.e. coals) would be carried in clay pots which were balanced on the heads of men or women traveling with a roaming tribe.
So the "heap coals of fire on someone's head" thing is to provide the biggest favor imaginable. It is to give them something that they need to be able to live. It is to give them plenty (heap) so that they don't have to worry about the fire being inadvertently blown out with the next downdraft. In the end, it is overcoming evil with good.
You have heard that it was said, "You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy." But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect. Matthew: 5:43-48.
So if we emulate God, who loved us even when we were enemies against Him, then Jesus declares that we will just as our Father in heaven is. That's just perfect.
© S. Chan, 2006. All rights reserved.