The Akan people
of Ghana have a proverb: “The lizard is not as mad with the boys who threw
stones at it as with the boys who stood by and rejoiced over its fate!”
Rejoicing at someone’s downfall is like participating in the cause of that
downfall or even wishing more evil on the person.
That was the
attitude of the Ammonites who maliciously rejoiced when the temple in Jerusalem
“was desecrated and over the land of Israel when it was laid waste and over the
people of Judah when they went into exile” (Ezek. 25:3). For spitefully
celebrating Israel’s misfortunes, the Ammonites experienced God’s displeasure,
which resulted in grim consequences (vv. 4-7).
How do we react
when disaster befalls our neighbor or when our neighbor gets into trouble? If
she is a nice and friendly neighbor, then, of course, we will sympathize with
her and go to her aid. But what if he is an unfriendly, trouble-making
neighbor? Our natural tendency may be to ignore him or even secretly rejoice at
his downfall.
Proverbs warns
us: “Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble, do not let your
heart rejoice” (24:17). Instead, Jesus tells us that we show His love in action
when we “love [our] enemies and pray for those who persecute [us]” (Matt.
5:44). By so doing, we imitate the perfect love of our Lord (5:48).
Love your neighbor as yourself. (ODB)
