Feeling Wicked Satisfaction!

DO you celebrate the misfortunes of your enemies, especially when you feel that they are only getting their “just deserts”? It’s a natural human tendency to gloat over the downfall of the high and mighty. But is that an attitude that God desires?

The people of Edom, Judah’s neighbor to the south, were delighted to hear the news of Jerusalem’s fall (Lamentations 4:21; compare Psalm 137:7). But God rebuked the Edomites for their derisive attitude. His exhortation to “rejoice and be glad” (Lamentations 4:21) was spoken ironically. In effect, the Lord was saying, “Enjoy your gloating while it lasts”—because it won’t last for long. Soon it will be Edom’s turn for judgment (compare Jeremiah 49:17-18).

Scripture never encourages God’s people to be happy when others suffer, even if they deserve to suffer. The love that God calls us to “does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth” (1 Corinthians 13:6). Instead of gloating over the misery of our enemies, we should pray that somehow their circumstances will turn them toward the Lord and away from evil (Romans 12:14-21).

Courtesy of Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Commentary
Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, ESV © 2016 by Crossway Bibles.
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