Heaping coals on their heads meaning

If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you (Proverbs 25:21-22).

In Rom. 12:20, Paul the apostle quotes Proverbs 25. I’ve often heard it said that this Proverb is talking about letting God get even with your enemy for you. They hurt you in some way and God will hurt them back by heaping coals upon their head. This is the opposite of what the verse means.

Hebraic context of burning coals

To understand this verse, we have to look at the metaphor about heaping coals from the Hebraic perspective. Fire was used for light, cooking, and for keeping warm. In biblical times, people didn’t have matches. Starting a fire took work. As a result, people did their best not to let their fires die out. If it did happen to go out, it was common practice to borrow live coals from a neighbor or friend to rekindle the fire. 

Why burning coals on the head

In ancient times, it was common practice to carry loads upon the head. Many cultures still practice carrying loads in this way today. In the case of burning coals, they were placed in a container which was carried on the head.

Why heaped coals?

The word heaped paints a picture of a pile of coals. A single coal can be red hot, but alone, it dies quickly. A heap of coals lasted long enough to ignite a blaze when the person returned to their home.

The blessing of heaping coals

Heaping coals upon a person’s head wasn’t a way to get even. In the Proverb, it is meant to be a blessing to your enemy. It was a way to offer them kindness. Jesus reminds his disciples of this truth during the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5). In verse 43 he says, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy’.” When we put this verse in context, we see that Jesus is talking to the Jews and pointing out that this teaching from the Pharisees and teachers of the Law is not from God. Each time he says, “You have heard that it was said,” he follows it with, “But I tell you.”

“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” (Matthew 5:43-44).

God calls us to love and good deeds. Our righteousness is to surpass that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law. We are not to hate our enemy. God wants us to show them kindness.

Photo credit: pxfuel, Wikimedia, Édouard Hue

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About The Inheritance by Donna Sundblad

Written within the allegorical tradition of classics like Pilgrim's Progress, The Inheritance offers a literal but symbolic story for today's fantasy enthusiasts. This cleverly devised tale doesn't tell you what to think, but stimulates thought as to why you believe what you believe in your own quest for the Eternal City. The Inheritance is an ideal discussion starter for youth groups, homeschoolers, and families who enjoy meaningful discussions. 

 

When you read it, be sure to leave a review! Thanks for your support.

 

Why did Jesus call the Pharisees whitewashed tombs?

"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean)" (Matthew 23:27).

What did Jesus mean by whitewashed tombs?

Jesus pronounced seven "woes" on the teachers of the Law and the Pharisees. Did you ever wonder what woe means? Or for that matter, what did Jesus mean when he compared them to whitewashed tombs?

Before we look at the term whitewashed tomb, we should look at the word "woe." In Greek, the word for woe is οὐαί (oo-ah'-ee). It is a term used to express sorrow, grief, pity, concern, or apprehension of evil. In the case of the woes listed in Matthew 23, Jesus called the Pharisees hypocrites, and they knew, exactly, what he was saying when he called them whitewashed tombs. 

 

Why they whitewashed tombs

At this point in Jesus' earthly ministry, People were flooding into Jerusalem to celebrate Passover. The surrounding roads leading into the city were spruced up and readied for the influx of pilgrims. Along these roads were tombs of holy men painted with fresh whitewash. They did this for a few reasons. 

First, they looked clean. But the real reason was to warn people not to touch them because if they did, they would be unclean for seven days and unable to participate in the Passover, according to Jewish Law. "Whoever touches a human corpse will be unclean for seven days" (Numbers 19:11). These tombs, with their fresh coat of whitewash, looked clean and attractive and they also had religious significance. They were the graves of holy men. But because they held the dead, they were to be avoided.  

When Jesus compared the Pharisees to whitewashed tombs, they recognized the condemnation against them. Plus, he couched this woe with six other woes pointing to even more of the hypocrisy evident in their lives! The Law they said they upheld, told them about Jesus. Yet, they rejected him. In the times of Jesus, the Jews believed in the Torah (first five books of the Bible) as the Word of God, but they also accepted the Oral Torah. 

 

The Oral Torah represented laws, statutes, and legal interpretations not recorded in the Five Books of Moses. It is considered a legal commentary on the Torah, which explains how to follow the commandments. Bible teacher, Beresford Job, explains it like this in his book Biblical Church – A challenge to unscriptural traditions and practice:

"The Mosaic Law was handed down to Moses directly by God on the Mount, and the Oral Law was put in place by man as a protector of the Mosaic Law (the Pharisaic law, or the laws of the fence or hedge as it is known)." 

In Matthew 15:1-3, Jesus challenged the Pharisees and scribes regarding following the oral law (traditions of man) rather than the commandment of God.

"Then there come to Jesus from Jerusalem Pharisees and scribes, saying, Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread. And he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition?"

They thought that by following the law to the letter, they would be good enough for heaven. But Paul tells us the Law serves as a tutor to show us we can't obey the Law one hundred percent and that points to our need for a Savior.

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Read The Inheritance by Donna Sundblad

Written within the allegorical tradition of classics like Pilgrim's Progress, TheInheritance offers a literal but symbolic story for today's fantasy enthusiasts. This cleverly devised tale doesn't tell you what to think, but stimulates thought as to why you believe what you believe in your own quest for the Eternal City. The Inheritance is an ideal discussion starter for youth groups, homeschoolers, and families who enjoy meaningful discussions.

When you read it, be sure to leave a review! Thanks for your support.

Good deeds in The Inheritance by Donna Sundblad

For the Christian, good deeds aren’t a checklist, part of program, or an app. They are a way of life. We are to be like Jesus as we walk with Him in this world. It’s not a one and done deal. He never said, “I did my good deed for the day.” 

 

In my allegory, The Inheritance, the main character, Jejune, starts the story living in the Village of Lofty Thought. His name means, immature, lacking knowledge or experience. In Lofty Thought, people are rewarded for coming up with new theories about how people get to the Eternal City as each generation declares a New Age of Enlightenment. Many don’t believe in the All Knowing One. At their coming of age, young people deliver the first of their new theories, and are rewarded with an embroidered ring to decorate their sleeves. The more new ideas, the more rings, the more honor. It’s a reward and recognition of what they deem to be good works. As the story opens, Jejune is about to celebrate his coming of age.

 

Good works and reward

In yesterday’s post, role of good deeds in the Christian life, covered why we do good works. The intent and motives behind what we do makes a difference. It's why we do them. It’s not supposed to be for rewards in this world. In Mathew 6:1, Jesus says, “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.” (2 Timothy 2:15)

In The Inheritance, Jejune, questions the Illuminati, the authoritative lofty thinkers, who dress in their robes decorated with rings up to their elbows. He asks how conflicting theories can all be right. It creates an issue, and he is labeled a troublemaker. 

He tires of hearing about theories from people who haven’t even gone on a quest to learn the truth. He talks to Wigglewot, and says, “Wig, my Coming of Age has arrived, but I feel ill prepared. I know it's time for a change. Life in Lofty Thought leaves me barren, like my ringless sleeves." He extended his arm, allowing his sleeve to snap in the breeze. "The time is ripe for me to become a Seeker."

 

Why I wrote The Inheritance

The reason I wrote The Inheritance, along with entertainment the factor, is as a tool to help others seek the truth. I did my best not to use religious language so non-believers will read it as well as believers. As they do, I pray it opens opportunities to talk about things that really matter. Things above. Our eternal destiny. It's a discussion starter.

Excerpt from The Inheritance

 This excerpt is taken from chapter 4: "The Day of Preparation."

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He turned the first few pages of the journal searching for the place where he'd left off last night. "Here it is." His finger marked the spot.

"The ancient stoics taught that when you find the truth, it will set you free. Here within Lofty Thought many claim to have the truth, yet I am not released from my distress. I find it curious that people who believe differing ideas think all their beliefs together represent the truth." Jejune raised his eyebrows and looked at Wigglewot.

"My father felt the same way I do. Maybe that's why the Illuminati doesn't like me."

"You are surely your father's son. What else does it say?"

They spent the afternoon reading of travels to far off places. "The Way of Works could be a possibility." Jejune considered the prospect. "Father says here that the people in Goodeeds are pleasant. Listen to this."

"I could do well in Goodeeds. The people respect me. I served as a mediator, settling squabbles between neighbors and family members. They rewarded me with notches carved into a walking stick. They tell me if I carry this stick to the gates of the Eternal City, it will allow me to enter."

"Could that be the walking stick we saw upstairs?"

"It must be." Jejune glanced from the journal to Wigglewot. "But if they were going to the Eternal City, why didn't he take it with him?" He turned the leaf.

"Staid thinks the belief is absurd. At first, I disagreed, but I think she might be right. If the requirement is a notched walking stick, then only people from Goodeeds will gain access to the Eternal City. This cannot be logical. What about those who live in Lofty Thought and do not carry a walking stick?"

"Goodeeds sounds like a nice place." Jejune gazed into the distance and imagined life where people accepted him and even rewarded him.

"But he didn't choose to live there." Wigglewot stretched and turned onto his stomach. "And he didn't plan to return there with your mother."

Jejune sucked in a deep breath and let it out slowly. "True, but I would enjoy the company of pleasant people."

 

When you read The Inheritance, be sure to leave a review! Thanks for your support.

 

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