We are in chapter twenty-three of Exodus with our word for today which are two words that are closely related. אָיַב enemy, be hostile to, to be an adversary. It is used 282 times in the Old Testament. שָׂנֵא hate, scorn, decrease in status, enemy. It is used 146 times in the Old Testament. Both of our words are used together 10 times in the Old Testament. Most of the time we find God giving his people victory over their enemies in battle. 2 Samuel 22:41 You made וְאֹ֣יְבַ֔י my enemies turn their backs to me, those מְשַׂנְאַ֖יwho hated me, and I destroyed them. Deuteronomy 30:7 The Lord your God will put all these curses on אֹיְבֶ֥יךָ your enemies who שֹׂנְאֶ֖יךָ hate and persecute you. Esther 9:1, 5 On this day the אֹיְבֵ֤י enemies of the Jews had hoped to overpower them, but now the tables were turned and the Jews got the upper hand over those who בְּשֹׂנְאֵיהֶֽם hated them … The Jews struck down all their אֹ֣יְבֵיהֶ֔ם enemies with the sword, killing and destroying them, and they did what they pleased to those who בְשֹׂנְאֵיהֶ֖ם hated them. We also see God allowing his people to be ruled by their enemies because of their sin. Leviticus 26:17 I will set my face against you, and you shall be struck down before אֹיְבֵיכֶ֑ם your enemies. Those who שֹֽׂנְאֵיכֶ֔ם hate you shall rule over you, and you shall flee when none pursues you. We find our words also used when David is crying out to God in prayer for help because of his enemies. Psalm 25:19 See how numerous are אוֹיְבַ֥י my enemies and how fiercely they שְׂנֵאֽוּנִי hate me! Psalm 35:19 Do not let those gloat over me who are אֹיְבַ֣יmy enemies without cause; do not let those who שֹׂנְאַ֥יhate me without reason maliciously wink the eye. Psalm 38:19 Many have become וְֽ֭אֹיְבַי my enemies without cause; those who שֹׂנְאַ֣יhate me without reason are numerous. Psalm 69:4 Those who שֹׂנְאַ֪י hate me without reason outnumber the hairs of my head; many are אֹיְבַ֣י my enemies without cause, those who seek to destroy me. What I find interesting is that we find our words used together one time in the Old Testament with this idea of loving our enemies. This is in our chapter today. Exodus 23:4-5 If you meet אֹֽיִבְךָ֛your enemy's ox or his donkey going astray, you shall bring it back to him. If you see the donkey of one who שֹׂנַאֲךָ֗hates you lying down under its burden, you shall refrain from leaving him with it; you shall rescue it with him. This reminds us of Jesus words which I will close with. Matthew 5:43-48 You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 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. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
