Proverbs 24:17-18 Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth: Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.
‘Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.’ God sees not only the outward circumstances but also the attitude of the heart. A person may outwardly appear innocent while inwardly rejoicing over another person’s suffering. God sees the heart.
Scripture gives a serious warning: if we rejoice over an enemy’s calamity, God may be displeased with our attitude and show mercy where we expected judgment.
Biblical examples of rejoicing over another’s fall: [1] Tyre rejoiced when Jerusalem was destroyed and anticipated benefiting from her downfall (Ezk. 26:2-6). [2] Ammon rejoiced over the destruction of Israel (Ezk. 25:6). [3] Edom stood by and rejoiced when Jerusalem fell rather than helping God’s people (Obad. 11-14). God condemned these attitudes.
Examples of mourning: [1] David mourned over Saul and Jonathan despite Saul having been his enemy (2Sam. 1:11-12). He also demonstrated compassion toward those who opposed him (Ps. 35:13-14). [2] Jeremiah was deeply grieved over the sins and destruction of his people: “Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears…” (Jer. 9:1). A righteous heart does not delight in destruction.
