Be Still And Know

Exodus 23:5 'If you see that the donkey of someone who hates you has collapsed under its load, do not walk by. Instead, stop and help.' These laws make fascinating reading. Here the people are told that they have a responsibility to other people, whoever they are. If you see the donkey of your enemy struggling, the immediate ungodly response would be to say of the owner: “Serves him right. Just what he deserves.” But God declares that our responsibility is to give practical support to other people whether they are our close friends or enemies. This law reminds us of the words of Jesus, who went even further. We are not merely to be caring towards our neighbours but we have a responsibility to love them. This command, more than any other, shows that Jesus was turning normal human thinking upside down. Jesus seemed to take it for granted that his followers would have enemies, just as he had throughout his ministry. There is no way of avoiding that. But the person who walks in Jesus’ steps has a completely d