#FunFactFriday – Because TGIF!

Did you know, that the teaching of Jesus to love our enemies is not a new commandment; it can actually be found in the instructions of Mosaic Law in the Old Testament and in the Proverbs of King Solomon.

Let’s examine the scriptures:

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

— Matthew 5:44 (KJV)

OLD TESTAMENT

Exodus 23:4-5: If thou meet thine enemy’s ox or his ass going astray, thou shalt surely bring it back to him again. If thou see the ass of him that hateth thee lying under his burden, and wouldest forbear to help him, thou shalt surely help with him.

Proverbs 24:17-18: Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles; Lest the LORD see it, and it displease Him, And He turn away His wrath from him.

Proverbs 25:21-22: If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; For so you will heap coals of fire on his head, And the LORD will reward you.

Therefore, when Jesus told us directly to love our enemies, He wasn’t saying something new, He was reiterating what we have already been advised over and over in the old testament!

Selah!