Back to THE TORAH CONNECTION Table of Contents<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Treat them like a friend<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/b>—<\/p>\n Exo 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. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Respect and kindness shown toward enemies in Bible history–<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Gen 50:15-21 Joseph treated his brothers with kindness in spite of their unkind treatment of him<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n 1Sa 24 & 26 David spared Saul’s life even though Saul tried to kill him multiple times<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n 2Sa 1:1-15 David avenged Saul’s \u201cmurder\u201d (even though the \u201cmurderer\u201d was not actually guilty of it)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n 2Sa 4 David avenged the murder of Saul’s son, Ishbosheth<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n 2Ki 6:8-23 Elisha prepared a feast for the Syrian army that had come to capture him<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Job 31:29, 30 Job was respectful toward those who hated him<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Pro 24:17 Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth: <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Pro 25:21, 22 If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Oba 1:12 But thou shouldest not have looked on the day of thy brother in the day that he became a stranger; neither shouldest thou have rejoiced over the children of Judah in the day of their destruction; neither shouldest thou have spoken proudly in the day of distress. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Mat 5:43-48 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 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; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others?<\/i> do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Mat 6:14, 15 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Mat 18:21, 22 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Mat 26:47-50 And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people. Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast. And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him. And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Mar 11:25, 26 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Luk 6:27-38 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, <\/span>Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. And unto him that smiteth thee on the <\/span>one<\/i><\/span> cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not <\/span>to take thy<\/i><\/span> coat also. Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask <\/span>them<\/i><\/span> not again. And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. And if ye lend <\/span>to them<\/i><\/span> of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and <\/span>to<\/i><\/span> the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Luk 10:29-37 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour? And Jesus answering said, A certain man<\/i> went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him,<\/i> and departed, leaving him<\/i> half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him,<\/i> and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,<\/i> And went to him,<\/i> and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them<\/i> to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Luk 17:3, 4 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Luk 23:34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n <\/a> Joh 13:21-26 When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake. Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved. Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake. He then lying on Jesus’ breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it? Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it.<\/i> And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it<\/i> to Judas Iscariot, the son<\/i> of Simon.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Note:<\/b> The \u201csop\u201d was a morsel of bread dipped in the special sauce provided at the Passover meal. Giving the sop to someone was a token of special regard and good will toward that person. Jesus was making one last love appeal to Judas.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Rom 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Rom 12:17-21 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather<\/i> give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is<\/i> mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n 1Co 4:12, 13 And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are<\/i> the offscouring of all things unto this day. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n 1Th 5:15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man;<\/i> but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.<\/i> <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n 2Th 3:14, 15 And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet count him<\/i> not as an enemy, but admonish him<\/i> as a brother. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n 1Pe 2:21-23 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself<\/i> to him that judgeth righteously:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n An erring brother \/ neighbor–<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Lev 19:17, 18 Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbor, and not suffer sin upon him. Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself: I am the LORD. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Mat 18:15-17 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. <\/span><\/span><\/span>But if he will not hear <\/span><\/span><\/span>thee, then<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span> take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell <\/span><\/span><\/span>it<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span> unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Gal 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Jas 5:19, 20 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; <\/span><\/span><\/span>Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n If one of these little ones shall be overcome, and commit a wrong against you, then it is your work to seek his restoration. Do not wait for him to make the first effort for reconciliation. \u201cHow think ye?\u201d said Jesus; \u201cif a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.\u201d <\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n In the spirit of meekness, \u201cconsidering thyself, lest thou also be tempted,\u201d ( Galatians 6:1), go to the erring one, and \u201ctell him his fault between thee and him alone.\u201d Do not put him to shame by exposing his fault to others, nor bring dishonor upon Christ by making public the sin or error of one who bears His name. Often the truth must be plainly spoken to the erring; he must be led to see his error, that he may reform. But you are not to judge or to condemn. Make no attempt at self-justification. Let all your effort be for his recovery. In treating the wounds of the soul, there is need of the most delicate touch, the finest sensibility. Only the love that flows from the Suffering One of Calvary can avail here. With pitying tenderness, let brother deal with brother, knowing that if you succeed, you will \u201csave a soul from death,\u201d and \u201chide a multitude of sins.\u201d James 5:20. <\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n But even this effort may be unavailing. Then, said Jesus, \u201ctake with thee one or two more.\u201d It may be that their united influence will prevail where that of the first was unsuccessful. Not being parties to the trouble, they will be more likely to act impartially, and this fact will give their counsel greater weight with the erring one. <\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n If he will not hear them, then, and not till then, the matter is to be brought before the whole body of believers. Let the members of the church, as the representatives of Christ, unite in prayer and loving entreaty that the offender may be restored. The Holy Spirit will speak through His servants, pleading with the wanderer to return to God. Paul the apostle, speaking by inspiration, says, \u201cAs though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ\u2019s stead, be ye reconciled to God.\u201d 2 Corinthians 5:20. He who rejects this united overture has broken the tie that binds him to Christ, and thus has severed himself from the fellowship of the church. Henceforth, said Jesus, \u201clet him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.\u201d But he is not to be regarded as cut off from the mercy of God. Let him not be despised or neglected by his former brethren, but be treated with tenderness and compassion, as one of the lost sheep that Christ is still seeking to bring to His fold.<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Christ\u2019s instruction as to the treatment of the erring repeats in more specific form the teaching given to Israel through Moses: \u201cThou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in anywise rebuke thy neighbor, that thou bear not sin for him.\u201d Leviticus 19:17, margin. That is, if one neglects the duty Christ has enjoined, of trying to restore those who are in error and sin, he becomes a partaker in the sin. For evils that we might have checked, we are just as responsible as if we were guilty of the acts ourselves. <\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n But it is to the wrongdoer himself that we are to present the wrong. We are not to make it a matter of comment and criticism among ourselves; nor even after it is told to the church, are we at liberty to repeat it to others. A knowledge of the faults of Christians will be only a cause of stumbling to the unbelieving world; and by dwelling upon these things, we ourselves can receive only harm; for it is by beholding that we become changed. While we seek to correct the errors of a brother, the Spirit of Christ will lead us to shield him, as far as possible, from the criticism of even his own brethren, and how much more from the censure of the unbelieving world. We ourselves are erring, and need Christ\u2019s pity and forgiveness, and just as we wish Him to deal with us, He bids us deal with one another. <\/i> DA 440, 441<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n