This morning we awoke to the sound of rushing waterfalls and bird song. I heard the first church bells strike at 4 am. We were in Crevoladossla.
A quiet pleasant place to sleep.
An hour or so through passes we were in Locarna where we attended church. The sermon was translated from Italian into German.
I only understood the first verse
‘ Love your enemies, do good to them that hate you.’ Matthew 5:43
I then went on my journey. I don’t want my enemy to be my neighbour. An enemy is a person who actively opposes someone. That is the answer I wanted to see.
Where has this occurred in the distant past?
Here are three:
1 Saul and his men were hunting for David and his men. David was Saul’s enemy.
Saul had gone into a cave to relieve himself. David was already in there. David could have killed Saul sitting in this vulnerable position instead he cut a piece off of his clothing. David later reveals what he has done Saul says: ‘ If a person finds their enemy will they let them go? Let God reward you for what you did today. I know you will be the next king.’ God is left to do the reward.
1 Samual 24:19
2 Jeremiah the prophet sounds depressed in verse 10 but then God speaks: ‘ I, God, will make the enemy ask ‘well’ of you in the time of evil and the time of affliction and it will be well with those few who remain.’ God manages the enemy.
Jeremiah 15:11
3 Paul gets angry with a sorcerer mentioned in verse 5 and he has these words for his enemy:
‘ Oh, you are so full of subtlety and mischief, you child of the devil, an enemy of all righteousness, won’t you stop from perverting the right ways of the Lord? And now look at the hand of the Lord it is on you. You won’t see the sun for a while and you will be blind. He saw mist and had to ask to be lead.’
Acts 13:10 Paul speaks but God does.
4 A conversation between Elijah and Ahab.
Ahab: So, you have found me my enemy, Elijah?
Elijah: Yes, I have found you and because you have sold yourself to evil in the sight of the LORD and made the people under your influence sin, God is angry! Evil will come to your house… And Jezebel your wife, the dogs will eat her by the wall of Jezreel. She was eaten. God carries out the punishment.
1 Kings 21:20
‘ There are only two people who can tell you the truth about yourself – an enemy who has lost their temper and a friend who loves you dearly.’
This certainly isn’t what the pastor preached in Italian translated into German, but an enemy is an enemy in these stories.
The flowers are still lovely here despite 32 ºC. Here are some. Their detail always astounds me.
Take care and if it is hot keep cool.
Sandy 🙂
Ps
Antisthenes 445 – 365 BC Greek Philosopher.