FEEDING THEIR ENEMIES

“Do not kill them,” he answered. “Would you kill men you have captured with your own sword or bow? Set food and water before them so that they may eat and drink and then go back to their master.” —2 Kings 6:22

Equipped with the courage and confidence of their vision of their heavenly defenders, Elijah and his servant did something unusual; they led the enemy soldiers into the city of Samaria. Responding to Elisha’s further prayer, God had caused these soldiers to be blinded. When Elisha prayed again that their eyes be opened, we can imagine their fear, finding themselves in Samaria, Israel’s capital city. The king of Israel reacted as many kings throughout history would if presented with a helpless battalion of enemy soldiers. “Shall I kill them?” he asked Elisha (2 Kings 6:21). Based on the assurance of God’s presence with them, Elisha had a better suggestion. He urged the king to bring them food, and a “great feast” was prepared for the soldiers. This was a story illustrating the proverb: “If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you” (Proverbs 25:21, 22). Based on an understanding of the power and presence of God, we can disarm ourselves and our enemies with kindness as simple as a meal. When we choose to respond without fear, we can transform our enemies—as in this case: “So the bands from Aram stopped raiding Israel’s territory” (2 Kings 6:23).

Even if our enemies persist in their attacks or take advantage of our courageously kind response, we are transformed by becoming people who practice mercy, and we can continue to trust God, who is with us still.