Expressing Malicious Contempt

God is the Only One who can judge people and nations fairly, since He knows all of our actions and motives. God doesn't want us to try to judge other people or nations. Yes, we can express our views about their actions and words. We can compare them to what the Bible says and determine whether they are in line with God's standard. However, He doesn't want us to hold anyone in malicious contempt. In other words, He doesn't want us to gloat over their difficulties and defeats. Instead, God wants us to pray for them to see what is right and do it. That was and is especially true for the nation of Israel. Every since Abraham and God's covenant with him, it has been clear that those who curse Israel would be cursed. Ezekiel pronounced such a curse on the people of Ammon when God gave him that message. (Ezekiel 25:6,7) I think it is a good lesson for all of us.

The Ammonites clapped and cheered when Judah was defeated, because they held them in malicious contempt. That made God angry then, and it makes Him angry now, every time He sees it. This applies to all people in the world, believers or not. However, we, as believers, are to be even more charitable toward our enemies and those with whom we disagree. There is no need to hate someone or demean them because we have been hurt by them, or we disagree with them on certain things. We can speak the truth in love, and we can love them no matter what they are doing. When it comes to the nation of Israel, we must certainly not be happy if they are defeated, and instead, we need to come to their aid if they are attacked. The worst things we can do is to be happy over their troubles. If God sees that, He will make sure we are not happy at all.

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Tomorrow, I intend to read Ezekiel 26-28.