YOUR ENEMIES WILL NOT DIE

Dearly Beloved,

YOUR ENEMIES WILL NOT DIE

“As King David approached Bahurim, ...Shimei son of Gera... cursed as he came out. He pelted David and all the king's officials with stones” (2 Samuel 16:5-6 NIV).

“When Shimei son of Gera crossed the Jordan, he fell prostrate before the king” (2 Samuel 19:18b NIV).

There is a notorious trend among some Christians and Christian denominations: cursing one’s perceived enemies and wishing them dead. However, this trend is unscriptural and it is making one to revenge instead of leaving revenge to God who has promised to do so accordingly (see Romans 12:17-21; Leviticus 19:8; Hebrews 10:30; Matthew 5:43-48; Luke 6:32-36). Apart from this, many instances from the Bible and history have shown that it is better for the enemies to live long and not only see one’s betterment, but even come and enjoy part of that betterment at the mercy of the person they have hated with passion.

Shimei son of Gera from the tribe of Benjamin was apologist of Saul’s reign during the reign of David as the king of Israel. An opportunity came for him to openly insult David when Absalom, one of David’s sons tried to overthrow him. As David and the men that were loyal to him were running for their lives, Shimei came and to curse David and accuse him of the fall of Saul. He even “pelted David and all [his] officials with stones.” Abishai, one of David’s warriors wanted to go and kill Shimei, but David did not allow him. David rather allowed God to vindicate him. Shimei did his worst that day. He probably later joined the armed forces of Absalom that fought the men of David. Although there were many casualties in the camp of Absalom before the death of Absalom and victory of the men of David, Shimei was alive to witness the return of David to the throne. Shimei later came to apologize to David, and his continued living was at the mercy of David.

The story of Joseph and his brothers is a classic one. If the bothers who were obvious enemies of Joseph had died before his elevation in Egypt, and if their continued living was not at the mercy of Joseph, the story would not be instructive enough.

You do not need to pray for the death or misfortune of your enemies. Rather, pray that God should elevate you above your enemies. Your enemies will not die! They will live to see the goodness of God in your life, and they will come to apologize to you for their hatred. The Lord will indeed glorify Himself in your life in Jesus’ name. Amen.

In His service,

Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor)