“Sometime later, when the king of the people of ‘Amon died, his son Hanun became king in his place. David said, ‘I will show grace to Hanun the son of Nachash, as his father showed grace to me.” So David sent his servants to pass him a message of comfort concerning his father.'”-2 Samuel 10:1-2
Let me show you one of the biggest misinterpreted verses in the New Testament:
“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”-Matthew 5:44-45
The church has widely misinterpreted and misapplied these verses, especially when it comes to world politics.
Yes, we are called to love our enemies…
But we are never called to love God’s enemies…
And those who would seek to harm His chosen people.
See, David made this mistake when he tried to show kindness to Hanun the son of Nachash.
The Midrash B’Midbar Rabbah commenting on this chapter, says this is a perfect example of what happens when a leader of Israel tries to be kind or soft on evil people, rebels, or God’s enemies.
It will inevitably backfire.
Not only will the leader suffer…
But all of Israel will pay the price for that mistake.
In 2 Samuel 10, David tried to be friendly to Ammon…
But it was like casting pearls before swine.
They viewed his kindness as devious intentions…
Or maybe even as a sign of weakness.
Instead of peace, his goodwill sparked a brutal war.
And worse?
Other enemy nations were emboldened, thinking this was their chance to wipe out God’s people.
On top of that, David also broke the following Torah Commandment:
“So you are never to seek
their peace or well-being,
as long as you live.”
-Deuteronomy 23:7
Notice it says, you are NEVER to seek their peace or well-being.
Not sometimes or for a while, but FOREVER.
David ignored God’s command.
As a result, his whole nation paid the price.
Unfortunately, this is the same theological error that both Judaism and Christianity continue to make.
We keep trying to show mercy to those whom we shouldn’t mercy.
We try to love those who don’t deserve our love.
It’s like an abused child trying to win their abuser’s affection by showing love to the reprobate…
When the only effective and Godly solution is to cut ties with that evil parent.
That’s the problem.
We get so focused on God’s love that we overlook His justice and righteous vengeance.
We think we can bend His other rules without consequences.
The longer we walk in faith, the more we start trusting our judgment over what’s written in Scripture.
In other words, we follow our hearts instead of God’s Word.
Then we act all surprised when things fall apart.
Today, Israel keeps falling into the same trap.
They keep trying to make peace with enemies who only want to wipe them out.
The result?
More violence and more hate.
Instead of backing Israel, the world demands they give up even more.
We see this very thing happening today after Hamas brutally attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, murdering nearly 1,200 innocent people.
It should’ve resulted in worldwide condemnation of an evil, terrorist organization…
But the opposite occurred.
The world has succumbed to a warped morality that blames Israel for the evil that was perpetrated on them.
The Scripture warns…
“Woe unto them
that call evil good,
and good evil;
that put darkness for light,
and light for darkness;
that put bitter for sweet,
and sweet for bitter!”
-Isaiah 5:20
Here’s the truth.
The Jewish people are among the world’s leading humanitarians.
They have shown more kindness and generosity to nations in need than many of those same nations have ever shown to them.
But far from that kindness being reciprocated, Israel is hated almost everywhere…
And anti-Semitism is on the rise at unprecedented levels.
Today, the Church commits the same error David did when he showed Hanun kindness.
They have helped God’s enemies while ignoring Israel…
All in the name of following the Jewish Messiah.
Talk about having twisted priorities.
So pay close attention to the details in this chapter.
It shows what happens when we elevate our sense of right and wrong above God’s commands.
And in terms of the takeaway?
Well, it’s already pretty clear.
There are times when we are NOT to show mercy…
There are times when we are NOT to show kindness…
There are times when we are NOT to show love…
The bottom line is yes, our God is a God of love…
Yet, at the same time, he is also a God of justice.
He demonstrated this attribute well when He sent a flood to destroy all of mankind save for Noah and his family…
And when He rained fire and brimstone down on Sodom and Gomorrah.
He will demonstrate his cold and unbending justice again when Messiah returns to take vengeance on Israel’s enemies.
I leave you with these verses from the Tanakh (the Hebrew Bible).
“And when the LORD your
God delivers them over to you,
you shall conquer them
and utterly destroy them.
You shall make no covenant with them
nor show mercy to them.”
-Deuteronomy 7:2
CONNECTING THIS TEACHING TO THE NEW TESTAMENT
“Do not give what is holy to dogs;
nor cast your pearls before swine,
lest they trample them under their feet,
and turn and tear you in pieces.”
-Matthew 7:6
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