Light Their Fire (Proverbs 25:21-22; 6:7; 25:22; Isaiah 30:14; Psalm 52:5; Romans 12:20; 2 Timothy 3:6; 2 Kings 6:8-23)

Proverbs 25:21-22 says, ''If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink; For thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head, and the Lord shall reward thee.''

I recall seeing a humorous cartoon illustration of a girl throwing hot food on the head of her annoying younger brother, in an attempt to fulfill the teaching of this verse. That type of action would, at first glance seem to be what this verse promotes, but of course misses the historical significance of what is referred to .

COALS of FIRE - This is literally burning coals from a fire.

HEAP - This word is only used 4 times in the OT and in 3 out of 4 times specifically refers to taking fire from one place to another [i.e., to start another fire] (Proverbs 6:27; 25:22; Isaiah 30:14). [The fourth usage may be a play on words, not found in the English, but evident in the Hebrew, referring to the extinguishing of ''a live coal'', by it's removal from the fire, referring to posterity. (Psalms 52:5)]. The word is translated ''take'' in it's other 3 uses and only ''heap'' in Proverbs 25:22. However, the word literally means, to ''take'' a live coal of fire from one place to another [to start another fire].

Interestingly enough, there are approximately 74 different words or phrases in the Hebrew that are translated into the English as ''take'', and the Holy Spirit chose this specific word to convey the dramatic meaning of this verse.

In the ancient near eastern culture, which had no matches, pots made of clay were used to transport coals of fire, on a bed of ash, on top of the head, from one location to another, to start another fire.

The NT quotation of this verse (Romans 12:20) also uses the English word ''heap'', found only 3 times in the Greek.(Proverbs 25:22; Romans 12:20; and 2 Timothy 3:6). [Romans 12:20 quotes from the LXX translation of Proverbs 25:22]. This Greek word, however, does not express ''taking'' fire from one place to another, but rather, ''to pile on'', or generally ''multitude'' or ''plentitude'. In other words, when you meet the need of someone, ''pile it on'', be overly generous, by God's standards.

This plentiful generosity is to be directed towards those who are enemies with you. You ''take'' from the fire of your life and you give generously to meet the need of someone who has made themselves your enemy, and in doing this, you warm their house; provide them with fire. This act of love and kindness:

1) meets their need, and

2) the Lord rewards you.

[ More specifically, as Rabbinic teaching translates, not ''.. the Lord will reward you...'', but ''Yahweh will make him thy friend.''] [This scriptural principal is abundantly illustrated in the act of love and kindness by Elisha, toward the captive Syrians, who after being shown mercy, and given ''... bread to eat.. water to drink..''(Proverbs 25:22), ''... came no more into the land of Israel.'' (i.e., to attack them), 2 Kings 6:8-23].

You are God's Best and God's Best is Yours.