God does NOT forbid the Saints from Rejoicing when our Enemy Falls
Proverbs 24:17
“Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:”
King James Version (KJV)
Proverbs 24:18
“Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.”
King James Version (KJV)
Psalms 58:10
“The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance: he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked.”
King James Version (KJV)
Psalms 58:11
“So that a man shall say, Verily there is a reward for the righteous: verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth.”
King James Version (KJV)
Revelation 19:1
“And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God:”
King James Version (KJV)
Revelation 19:2
“For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.”
King James Version (KJV)
1 Corinthians 2:13
“Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.”
King James Version (KJV)
1 Corinthians 2:15
“But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.”
King James Version (KJV)
Biblical Context: In the KJB, "rejoice" translates several Hebrew and Greek words, each with nuanced meanings depending on context.
Psalm 58:10: The word "rejoice" is also śāmaḥ, but the context shifts to a communal or spiritual joy over God’s righteous acts, not personal satisfaction.
Greek (New Testament):Revelation 19:1: The word "rejoice" is implied in the praise ("Alleluia"), but the Greek context involves chairō (Strong’s G5463) in related passages, meaning to be glad or rejoice, often in worship or gratitude (e.g., Philippians 4:4, "Rejoice in the Lord alway").
Carnal Sense: The term "carnal" in the KJB (from Latin caro, "flesh") refers to actions or desires driven by the sinful nature or fleshly impulses, as opposed to the Spirit (e.g., Romans 8:7, "the carnal mind is enmity against God"). Rejoicing as a "carnal expression of the flesh" would imply joy rooted in selfish, malicious, or prideful motives, aligning with the warning in Proverbs 24:17-18.
Definition in Context
Carnal Rejoicing (Proverbs 24:17-18): This is joy over an enemy’s downfall driven by fleshly motives—malice, vindictiveness, or pride. It reflects a heart that seeks personal satisfaction rather than God’s glory, usurping God’s role as Judge (Romans 12:19).
Godly Rejoicing (Psalm 58:10-11, Revelation 19:1-2)
This study requires an absolute understanding of how to study the King James Bible in this case the PARADOX.
Understand The Paradox - The Parable to unlock God's Word
https://www.thethirdheaventraveler.com/2023/08/understand-paradox-parable-to-unlock.html
There are NO contradictions in the King James bible God is not a liar
https://www.thethirdheaventraveler.com/2023/08/there-are-no-contradictions-in-king.html
The study of Scripture for doctrine and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil by Cameron Moshfegh
https://www.thethirdheaventraveler.com/2024/07/the-study-of-scripture-for-doctrine-and_31.html
The MYSTERY of The Kingdom: Divine Secret Hidden from World, Revealed to Those with Eyes to See, Ears to Hear
ALL false teachers use and push a cherry picked scripture ISOLATED out of context.
We (The Saints - Church of Philadelphia) are NOT forbidden by God to rejoice when we witness EVIL being punished. However, the ungodly - rejoicing in the WRONG HEART - is forbidden.
The PARADOX between Proverbs 24:17-18 and Psalm 58:10-11 (with Revelation 19:1-2) PROVES The Saints may REJOICE, when our enemy falls - Those not rooted in Christ may NOT.
NOTES:
I've entered my blogs above, including this blog and had XAI list out a detailed synopsis as follows:
When studied, these passages reveal a greater truth: God forbids rejoicing over an enemy’s downfall with a wrong heart (malice, pride, or vindictiveness, as in Proverbs 24:17-18) but commends rejoicing in His righteous judgments with a godly heart (in the spirit of truth, as in Psalm 58:10-11 and Revelation 19:1-2).
Harmonizing Proverbs 24:17-18 with Psalm 2 and Imprecatory Psalms
At first glance, Proverbs 24:17-18 seems to advocate a personal attitude of restraint and humility, while Psalm 2 and the imprecatory Psalms emphasize divine judgment and, in some cases, the psalmist’s plea for God to act decisively against enemies. To harmonize these passages, we must consider their context, purpose, and theological principles.
Below are key points to reconcile these texts:Distinction Between Personal Vengeance and Divine Justice:Proverbs 24:17-18 addresses personal attitudes. It warns against a vindictive, gloating heart that takes pleasure in an enemy’s suffering. This aligns with other biblical teachings, such as Romans 12:19 (“Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord”) and Matthew 5:44 (“Love your enemies, and pray for them which despitefully use you”). The focus is on the individual’s heart posture, urging believers to leave judgment to God and avoid malicious joy.
Psalm 2 and the imprecatory Psalms, however, focus on God’s justice and the righteousness of His cause. Psalm 2 is a declaration of God’s sovereignty and His ultimate victory over rebellious nations through His anointed King
. The imprecatory Psalms are prayers that appeal to God’s justice, not personal vengeance. The psalmists are entrusting their cause to God, asking Him to act against those who oppose His purposes or persecute His people.
Context of Covenant and God’s Glory:In Psalm 2, the enemies are not merely personal adversaries but nations and rulers who rebel against God and His anointed. The psalmist’s focus is on God’s glory and the establishment of His kingdom, not personal grudges. The “laughter” of God (v. 4) is not vindictive but a reflection of His sovereign confidence in the face of futile rebellion.
Similarly, imprecatory Psalms often arise from a covenantal context, where the psalmist is concerned with the vindication of God’s name, the protection of His people, and the defeat of those who actively oppose God’s purposes (e.g., Psalm 83:1-18). These prayers are rooted in a desire for God’s justice to prevail, not personal revenge.
Proverbs 24:17-18, by contrast, deals with personal enemies and interpersonal relationships. It calls for humility and warns against a self-righteous or spiteful attitude, which could undermine one’s trust in God’s justice.
The Role of Prayer in Imprecatory Psalms:Imprecatory Psalms are not expressions of personal hatred but appeals to God as the righteous Judge.
The psalmists are bringing their grievances to God rather than taking matters into their own hands. For example, in Psalm 109, David prays for judgment against his enemies but leaves the execution of justice to God.
This aligns with Proverbs 24:17-18’s emphasis on avoiding personal gloating, as the psalmist entrusts vengeance to God rather than rejoicing in it himself.
These prayers also reflect a longing for the ultimate triumph of righteousness, which is consistent with Psalm 2’s vision of God’s kingdom prevailing over evil.
Progressive Revelation and New Testament Fulfillment:In the Old Testament, God’s justice was often expressed in immediate, temporal judgments (e.g., against the Canaanites or rebellious nations). The imprecatory Psalms reflect this context, where God’s people faced real threats from enemies who sought to destroy them.
Proverbs 24:17-18 points to a higher ethical standard, urging believers to rise above personal vindictiveness. This principle is further developed in the New Testament, where Jesus teaches love for enemies (Matthew 5:44) and Paul instructs believers to bless, not curse, those who persecute them (Romans 12:14).
However, the New Testament also affirms God’s ultimate justice.
For example, Revelation 19:1-2 depicts the saints rejoicing (not gloating) over God’s judgment of Babylon, echoing the theme of divine justice in Psalm 2 and the imprecatory Psalms. This shows that while personal vengeance is forbidden, God’s righteous judgment is upheld.
Theological Consistency:All these passages affirm that God is the ultimate Judge. Proverbs 24:17-18 warns against usurping God’s role by taking personal satisfaction in an enemy’s downfall. Psalm 2 and the imprecatory Psalms emphasize that God will judge the wicked in His time and way, particularly those who oppose His kingdom.
The imprecatory Psalms can be seen as prophetic prayers that anticipate God’s ultimate victory over evil, fulfilled in Christ’s return and final judgment (Revelation 19:11-21). Proverbs 24:17-18, meanwhile, governs the believer’s conduct in the present, calling for humility and trust in God’s justice.
Summary
Proverbs 24:17-18, Psalm 2, and the imprecatory Psalms are harmonized by recognizing their distinct purposes:Proverbs 24:17-18 addresses personal conduct, urging believers to avoid malicious joy over an enemy’s downfall and to trust God’s justice.
Psalm 2 declares God’s sovereign judgment against rebellious nations, emphasizing His authority and the triumph of His anointed King.
Imprecatory Psalms are prayers for God’s justice against those who oppose His purposes, entrusting vengeance to God rather than seeking personal revenge.
Together, these passages teach that while believers must cultivate humility and love, avoiding personal vindictiveness, they can still pray for and trust in God’s righteous judgment against evil. The imprecatory Psalms model how to bring grievances to God, while Proverbs 24:17-18 ensures that such prayers do not stem from a spiteful heart. Psalm 2 provides the broader context of God’s ultimate victory, assuring believers that justice will prevail through His anointed King.
If you’d like a deeper analysis of specific imprecatory Psalms or further connections to New Testament teachings, let me know!
The King James Bible does not contain explicit verses where believers are directly instructed to rejoice when they see God taking vengeance, as the emphasis is often on God’s justice being His prerogative (e.g., Romans 12:19, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord”) and on believers avoiding personal gloating or vindictiveness (e.g., Proverbs 24:17-18).
However, there are passages where God’s people express joy or praise in response to His righteous judgments against the wicked, particularly in the context of His victory over evil and the vindication of His name or His people. Below are relevant scriptures from the KJV that align with this theme:
1. Psalm 58:10-11 (KJV)
10 The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance: he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked.
11 So that a man shall say, Verily there is a reward for the righteous: verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth.
Context: This imprecatory psalm calls for God’s judgment on the wicked. Verse 10 describes the righteous rejoicing when they see God’s vengeance, not out of personal malice but because it confirms God’s justice and righteousness. The vivid imagery of “washing feet in the blood of the wicked” symbolizes triumph over evil.
Connection: The rejoicing here is tied to the vindication of God’s justice and the reward for the righteous, not personal spite.
2. Revelation 19:1-2 (KJV)
1 And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God:
2 For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.Context: This passage occurs after the fall of Babylon, a symbol of evil and oppression. The “much people in heaven” (likely the redeemed saints) praise God for His true and righteous judgments, celebrating His vengeance against those who persecuted His servants.
Connection: The rejoicing is an act of worship, focusing on God’s righteousness and the vindication of His people, rather than personal gloating.
3. Psalm 48:11 (KJV)
Let mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Judah be glad, because of thy judgments.Context: This psalm celebrates God’s protection of Zion and His power over enemies. The call for Zion and Judah to rejoice is linked to God’s judgments, which demonstrate His sovereignty and deliverance of His people.
Connection: The joy is communal and rooted in God’s righteous acts, not individual vengeance.
4. Psalm 97:8 (KJV)
Zion heard, and was glad; and the daughters of Judah rejoiced because of thy judgments, O LORD.Context: This psalm exalts God’s reign and His judgment on the wicked. The people of Zion and Judah rejoice because God’s judgments uphold righteousness and protect His covenant people.
Connection: The rejoicing reflects gratitude for God’s righteous rule and justice.
5. Jeremiah 51:48 (KJV)
Then the heaven and the earth, and all that is therein, shall sing for Babylon; for the spoilers shall come unto her from the north, saith the LORD.Context: This prophecy against Babylon describes the destruction of the nation that oppressed God’s people. The “heaven and earth” singing symbolizes universal joy at God’s judgment on Babylon, which avenges His people (see also Jeremiah 51:10).
Connection: The rejoicing is cosmic and tied to God’s deliverance and justice, not personal vindictiveness.
Harmonizing with Proverbs 24:17-18
As noted in your previous question, Proverbs 24:17-18 warns against rejoicing over a personal enemy’s downfall, lest it displease God. The passages above, however, describe rejoicing in God’s righteous judgments, particularly in contexts where:The wicked are enemies of God and His people, not merely personal adversaries.
The joy is rooted in worship, gratitude, and the vindication of God’s justice, not personal malice.
The focus is on God’s glory and the triumph of righteousness, aligning with His sovereign will.
Thus, Psalm 58:10 and Revelation 19:1-2 are the closest to directly describing rejoicing at God’s vengeance, but they emphasize a righteous response to divine justice rather than personal gloating.
Conclusion
The primary KJV scripture where the righteous are said to rejoice when seeing God’s vengeance is Psalm 58:10-11. Additional passages like Revelation 19:1-2, Psalm 48:11, Psalm 97:8, and Jeremiah 51:48 show God’s people rejoicing over His judgments, particularly when they vindicate the righteous and defeat evil. These expressions of joy are consistent with a theological framework that exalts God’s justice while discouraging personal vindictiveness, as seen in Proverbs 24:17-18.
To address your request, I will demonstrate that Proverbs 24:17-18 (KJV) and Psalm 58:10-11 (KJV)—along with other scriptures like Revelation 19:1-2—do not present a contradiction but rather a paradox.
Using the definition of a paradox as two seemingly contradictory statements that, when studied, reveal a greater truth, I will show that the greater truth here is that Proverbs 24:17-18 warns against rejoicing over an enemy’s downfall with a wrong heart (malice or personal vindictiveness), while Psalm 58:10-11 and similar passages describe godly joy and imprecation rooted in the spirit of truth, which exalts God’s justice and righteousness.
Step 1: Present the Scriptures
Let’s start by quoting the relevant passages in the King James Version (KJV) to establish the apparent tension.
Proverbs 24:17-18 (KJV)
17 Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:
18 Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.Meaning: This passage instructs believers not to take pleasure or gloat when their enemy faces calamity. The warning suggests that such rejoicing could stem from a wrong motive (e.g., malice or pride), which displeases God and may even lead Him to withhold judgment from the enemy.
Psalm 58:10-11 (KJV)
10 The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance: he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked.
11 So that a man shall say, Verily there is a reward for the righteous: verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth.Meaning: This imprecatory psalm describes the righteous rejoicing when they witness God’s vengeance on the wicked. The joy is tied to the vindication of God’s justice, affirming that there is a reward for the righteous and that God is a righteous judge.
Supporting Passage: Revelation 19:1-2 (KJV)
1 And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God:
2 For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.Meaning: The redeemed in heaven praise God for His righteous judgment against Babylon, rejoicing in His vengeance that avenges the blood of His servants. This joy is an act of worship, centered on God’s righteousness.
Step 2: Identify the Apparent Contradiction
On the surface, these passages seem to contradict each other:Proverbs 24:17-18 forbids rejoicing when an enemy falls, warning that such an attitude displeases God.
Psalm 58:10-11 and Revelation 19:1-2 describe the righteous rejoicing when God executes vengeance on the wicked, presenting this as a positive response.
This creates an apparent tension: How can the Bible forbid rejoicing over an enemy’s downfall in one instance but commend it in another?
Step 3: Define Paradox and Apply It
A paradox, as you defined, is when two seemingly contradictory statements are not actually contradictory but, when studied, reveal a greater truth. To prove this is a paradox, we must show that the tension between these passages is only apparent and that a deeper study reconciles them, unveiling a profound truth about the heart’s posture in relation to God’s justice.
The Paradox
Statement 1 (Proverbs 24:17-18): Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, lest it displease God.
Statement 2 (Psalm 58:10-11, Revelation 19:1-2): The righteous rejoice when they see God’s vengeance on the wicked.
These statements appear contradictory because both involve rejoicing over an enemy’s downfall, yet one forbids it while the other commends it. However, the paradox lies in the motive and context of the rejoicing, which reveals a greater truth about godly versus ungodly responses to justice.
Step 4: Analyze the Passages to Resolve the Tension
To demonstrate that this is a paradox, let’s examine the context, intent, and heart posture in each passage.
Proverbs 24:17-18: Rejoicing with a Wrong HeartContext: Proverbs is a book of wisdom, offering practical guidance for godly living. This passage addresses personal conduct in interpersonal relationships, specifically how to respond to an enemy’s misfortune.
Heart Posture: The warning against rejoicing suggests a heart motivated by malice, pride, or personal vindictiveness. Such an attitude usurps God’s role as Judge (see Deuteronomy 32:35, “To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence”) and reflects a lack of humility or trust in God’s justice.
Key Insight: The problem is not the acknowledgment of justice but the wrong heart—a self-centered, spiteful glee that delights in an enemy’s suffering for personal satisfaction rather than for God’s glory.
Supporting Scripture:Obadiah 1:12 (KJV): “But thou shouldest not have looked on the day of thy brother in the day of his calamity, neither shouldest thou have rejoiced over the children of Judah in the day of their destruction…” This condemns gloating over others’ misfortune, aligning with Proverbs’ warning.
Matthew 5:44 (KJV): “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” Jesus emphasizes a heart of love, not malice, toward enemies.
Psalm 58:10-11: Rejoicing in God’s JusticeContext: Psalm 58 is an imprecatory psalm, a prayer for God’s judgment against the wicked who oppress the righteous and defy God’s law. The “vengeance” here is God’s righteous judgment, not personal revenge.
Heart Posture: The rejoicing of the righteous is not rooted in personal spite but in the spirit of truth—a recognition of God’s righteousness, the vindication of His people, and the triumph of His justice.
The vivid imagery (“wash his feet in the blood of the wicked”) symbolizes victory over evil, not personal cruelty.
Key Insight: The joy is godly imprecation, a response to God’s righteous acts that affirms His sovereignty and moral order. It is worshipful, not vindictive, and aligns with the psalmist’s desire for God’s will to prevail.
Supporting Scripture:Psalm 97:8 (KJV): “Zion heard, and was glad; and the daughters of Judah rejoiced because of thy judgments, O LORD.” Joy over God’s judgments is tied to His righteousness.
Revelation 19:1-2: The saints’ “Alleluia” is worship, praising God’s true and righteous judgments, not personal gloating.
Revelation 19:1-2: Worshipful Joy in God’s VengeanceContext: This passage depicts the heavenly response to God’s judgment on Babylon, a symbol of systemic evil and persecution of God’s people. The “great whore” represents forces that corrupt the earth and martyr the saints.
Heart Posture: The rejoicing is an act of worship, expressed through “Alleluia” and praise for God’s “true and righteous” judgments. It is not about personal enemies but about the cosmic defeat of evil, avenging the blood of God’s servants.
Key Insight: This joy is in the spirit of truth, celebrating God’s ultimate victory and the fulfillment of His promise to judge evil (see Revelation 6:10, where martyrs cry, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood?”).
Supporting Scripture:Psalm 48:11 (KJV): “Let mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Judah be glad, because of thy judgments.” Communal joy over God’s judgments reflects worship, not malice.
Step 5: Reveal the Greater Truth
The paradox is resolved by recognizing that the motive and object of rejoicing distinguish the forbidden from the commended response. The greater truth is that God calls His people to rejoice in His justice with a godly heart (in the spirit of truth, as in Psalm 58:10-11 and Revelation 19:1-2) but forbids rejoicing with a wrong heart (malice or pride, as in Proverbs 24:17-18).
This truth teaches us about the nature of godly imprecation and joy:Godly Imprecation and Joy:Godly imprecation, as in Psalm 58, is a prayer or response that seeks or celebrates God’s justice, not personal revenge.
It aligns with God’s character and purposes, desiring the triumph of righteousness and the vindication of His name and people.
Joy over God’s vengeance (Psalm 58:10-11, Revelation 19:1-2) is worshipful, rooted in the spirit of truth. It acknowledges God as the righteous Judge who upholds moral order and delivers His people from evil.
This joy is not about personal enemies but about the defeat of God’s enemies—those who actively oppose His kingdom and persecute His people (e.g., Babylon in Revelation).
Ungodly Rejoicing:Proverbs 24:17-18 addresses a heart that rejoices in an enemy’s downfall for selfish or malicious reasons. This attitude reflects a lack of love, humility, or trust in God’s justice, effectively usurping God’s role as Judge.
Such rejoicing is “not in the spirit of truth” because it prioritizes personal satisfaction over God’s glory and may even hinder God’s purposes (v. 18, “lest the LORD… turn away his wrath from him”).
Theological Harmony:The Bible consistently teaches that vengeance belongs to God (Deuteronomy 32:35, Romans 12:19). Believers are to entrust justice to Him, whether through imprecatory prayer (Psalm 58) or patient endurance (Proverbs 24).
Godly joy over His judgments is an act of faith, affirming His righteousness (Psalm 58:11, “Verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth”). Ungodly rejoicing, however, is a sin of the heart that undermines this faith.
Step 6: Illustrate the Paradox with Examples
To clarify, consider these scenarios:Ungodly Rejoicing (Proverbs 24:17-18): A person sees a personal rival lose their job and laughs, saying, “They got what they deserved!” This is motivated by spite and pride, displeasing God because it lacks love and trust in His justice.
Godly Rejoicing (Psalm 58:10-11, Revelation 19:1-2): A believer praises God when a tyrannical regime that persecuted Christians falls, saying, “Thank You, Lord, for Your righteous judgment!” This is motivated by worship and a desire for God’s justice to prevail, aligning with the spirit of truth.
The paradox lies in the fact that both involve rejoicing over a form of “downfall,” but the heart’s motive and the context (personal vs. divine justice) determine whether the response is sinful or godly.
Step 7: Conclusion
The tension between Proverbs 24:17-18 and Psalm 58:10-11 (with Revelation 19:1-2) is not a contradiction but a paradox. When studied, these passages reveal a greater truth: God forbids rejoicing over an enemy’s downfall with a wrong heart (malice, pride, or vindictiveness, as in Proverbs 24:17-18) but commends rejoicing in His righteous judgments with a godly heart (in the spirit of truth, as in Psalm 58:10-11 and Revelation 19:1-2).
This paradox teaches us to cultivate a heart that loves enemies, trusts God’s justice, and worships Him when His righteousness prevails, ensuring our imprecation and joy align with His character and purposes.
Thank you and God bless you for your service in Jesus name , Maranatha!
ReplyDeleteThank you TDN God bless you abundantly. Likewise. Looking forward to the day you're able to get back on social media if you're at liberty to do so. Maranatha!
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