Sunday, October 16
Aha!
Scripture: Ezekiel 25-26, Matthew 28
Ezekiel 25:3 Say to the Ammonites, ‘Hear the word of the Lord God: This is what the Lord God says: Because you said, “Aha!” about my sanctuary when it was desecrated, about the land of Israel when it was laid waste, and about the house of Judah when they went into exile,
Ezekiel 26:2 “Son of man, because Tyre said about Jerusalem, ‘Aha! The gateway to the peoples is shattered. She has been turned over to me. I will be filled now that she lies in ruins,’
Observation
The common theme in these prophecies against the nations that surrounded Israel is that they rejoiced over Israel’s fall and took advantage of it—and God was displeased. Both Ammon and Tyre said “Aha!”—a small Hebrew word that “usually expresses malicious joy over the reverses of an enemy.”
God doesn’t want us to rejoice over our enemy’s fall.
Proverbs 24:17–18 Don’t gloat when your enemy falls, and don’t let your heart rejoice when he stumbles, 18 or the Lord will see, be displeased, and turn his wrath away from him.
Application
It’s not just when an enemy falls—sometimes it’s when a friend does. I may feel a small sense of satisfaction. “Aha! I win. I’m better.” I may not openly gloat, or even be glad, but inside I’m feeling…not sad. Their loss is my gain.
Love is doing (and wanting) what is best for another no matter what it costs you. So when my friend or my enemy suffers, rather than rejoicing, I should “weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15) and want the best for them.
A Hasidic story tells of a great celebration in heaven after the Israelites are delivered from the Egyptians at the Red Sea, and the Egyptian armies are drowned. The angels are cheering and dancing. Everyone in heaven is full of joy. Then one of the angels asks the archangel Michael, “Where is God? Why isn’t God here celebrating?” Michael answers, “God is not here because he is off by himself weeping. You see, many thousands were drowned today.”
Check your heart. How do you respond when others struggle or suffer? Is there a little “Aha” in there?
Prayer: Lord, help me to love like You do, and want the best for friend and enemy alike. And deliver me from selfishness which would see my friend struggling and smile and say “Aha”.