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.

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. 

God now addresses the attitude we should have toward our enemies. It is natural for the flesh to feel satisfaction when someone who has harmed us finally suffers. We may think: “He/she deserved it.” Perhaps he/she did. But Scripture says we must not rejoice over his downfall. Justice belongs to God; vengeance does not belong to us.

Why should we not rejoice? Because hatred can corrupt our own hearts. The downfall of an enemy should cause us to recognise the seriousness of sin and the reality of God’s judgment, not give us an opportunity for personal celebration.

David demonstrated this attitude toward Saul. Although Saul persecuted David, he mourned when Saul died rather than celebrating his enemy’s destruction (2Sam. 1:11-12). Likewise, David could pray for and mourn with those who were suffering (Ps. 35:13-14).

To be continued…