The meaning behind the phrase “heaping burning coals on your head” in the Bible is often misunderstood, but it is important to understand its significance correctly. The Bible cautions against misinterpreting its teachings and confusing right and wrong, as doing so can have dangerous consequences for our moral compass. It is dangerous to blur the lines of morality. The interpretation of phrases like this can vary when referencing sources other than the Bible. Therefore, it is worth exploring the true biblical meaning of this phrase to gain a deeper understanding of its message.
Isaiah 5:20 – Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!
Before diving into the biblical meaning of this phrase, it is essential to ensure that our understanding of biblical concepts is based on the Bible itself, rather than external or extraneous sources. It is not right to use sources outside of the Bible, to try to understand the Biblical meaning of these concepts. Instead of using external sources to gain understanding, we should use the general pattern of the Bible to gain further insight.
Ecclesiastes 12:9-12 – Not only was the Teacher wise, but he also imparted knowledge to the people. He pondered and searched out and set in order many proverbs. 10 The Teacher searched to find just the right words, and what he wrote was upright and true. 11 The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails—given by one shepherd. 12 Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them. Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body.
The teacher of Ecclesiastes was King Solomon:
Ecclesiastes 1:1 – The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.
King Solomon wrote much of the sayings and books in the Old Testament Bible.
1 Kings 4:32 – He also spoke 3,000 proverbs, and his songs were 1,005.
King Solomon is also warning us about where we should receive our knowledge/wisdom of God. We should make sure our knowledge of the word of God only comes from the word of God, and no other book.
Jesus indirectly warns us of the same thing in regards to his story of Lazarus and the rich man.
Luke 16:27-29 – And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house— 28 for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ 29 But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’
Jesus does not mention any other source, within the context of this story, on where to receive the truth.
Relying On The Bible For Understanding
Archaeology plays an important role in uncovering the past in order for us to understand how not to repeat the mistakes of past generations. However, archaeologists play no part in the understanding of scripture, since they were not there to witness the things they speak of. Many aspects of archaeology rely on elements of storytelling. They piece together things from the past using a fair amount of educated guesswork and hypothesis, as the glue that holds their theories together. For Christians, archaeology should not be used as a source of faith. The Bible has enough information and if we dig into the word deep enough, we can see examples of almost everything mentioned in the Bible. We must ensure that what we know is rooted in the Bible and not from our own mind or popular belief.
2 Timothy 3:1-5 – But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.
There are people within the church, including Pastors, who appear as if they know the truth. These individuals may even look and act the part, with qualifications and accolades that may also impress you. However, if their teachings do not completely align with Jesus, then we are to avoid such people.
Cont’d 2 Timothy 3:6-8 – For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, 7 always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. 8 Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith.
These men, who appear to be Godly but deny its power, are those who learn external teachings to explain the Bible.
Consider the case of Janus and Jamborees, who were Egyptian sorcerers during the time of Moses. They relied on outside sources of power to create counterfeit miracles akin to those performed by God through Moses. Unfortunately, their fabricated works only served to harden Pharaoh’s heart and reinforce his resistance to Moses’ authentic message.
Exodus 7:8-13 – The Lord said to Moses and Aaron, 9 “When Pharaoh says to you, ‘Perform a miracle,’ then say to Aaron, ‘Take your staff and throw it down before Pharaoh,’ and it will become a snake.” 10 So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did just as the Lord commanded. Aaron threw his staff down in front of Pharaoh and his officials, and it became a snake. 11 Pharaoh then summoned wise men and sorcerers, and the Egyptian magicians also did the same things by their secret arts: 12 Each one threw down his staff and it became a snake. But Aaron’s staff swallowed up their staffs. 13 Yet Pharaoh’s heart became hard and he would not listen to them, just as the Lord had said.
Exodus 7:19-23 – The Lord said to Moses, “Tell Aaron, ‘Take your staff and stretch out your hand over the waters of Egypt—over the streams and canals, over the ponds and all the reservoirs—and they will turn to blood.’ Blood will be everywhere in Egypt, even in vessels of wood and stone.”
20 Moses and Aaron did just as the Lord had commanded. He raised his staff in the presence of Pharaoh and his officials and struck the water of the Nile, and all the water was changed into blood. 21 The fish in the Nile died, and the river smelled so bad that the Egyptians could not drink its water. Blood was everywhere in Egypt.
22 But the Egyptian magicians did the same things by their secret arts, and Pharaoh’s heart became hard; he would not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the Lord had said. 23 Instead, he turned and went into his palace, and did not take even this to heart.
Exodus 8:1-7 – Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh and say to him, ‘This is what the Lord says: Let my people go, so that they may worship me. 2 If you refuse to let them go, I will send a plague of frogs on your whole country. 3 The Nile will teem with frogs. They will come up into your palace and your bedroom and onto your bed, into the houses of your officials and on your people, and into your ovens and kneading troughs. 4 The frogs will come up on you and your people and all your officials.’”
5 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Tell Aaron, ‘Stretch out your hand with your staff over the streams and canals and ponds, and make frogs come up on the land of Egypt.’”
6 So Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt, and the frogs came up and covered the land. 7 But the magicians did the same things by their secret arts; they also made frogs come up on the land of Egypt.
Paul’s message suggests that such individuals with similar motives still exist in contemporary times. They always oppose those who learn by the spirit. We are meant to learn the Bible’s wisdom through the Holy Spirit, which is wisdom.
Isaiah 11:2 – And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.
Ephesians 1:17 – that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him,
We are to have nothing to do with those who deny the power of God, which is the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13 – May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Romans 15:19 – by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God—so that from Jerusalem and all the way around to Illyricum I have fulfilled the ministry of the gospel of Christ;
1 Corinthians 2:4 – And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit.
1 Thessalonians 1:5 – because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake.
Those who deny the wisdom of God, which is the Holy Spirit, and choose to manufacture the truth through other earthly sources, shall not get very far in their pursuits of the truth.
Cont”d 2 Timothy 3:9 – But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as was that of those two men.
In these final days, it is crucial to avoid sources of information that cannot lead us to the truth, such as denominational teachings and scientific theories that rely on archaeology. These extraneous sources lack the ultimate wisdom and guidance that we can find in the unchanging and infallible Word of God, as Paul reminds us in the Bible.
2 Timothy 3:10-13 – You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, 11 my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. 12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
Those who rely on external sources to form their understanding of God are at risk of being misled, and may themselves become deceivers through their teachings. As Paul warns, such individuals are imposters who can only become increasingly corrupt over time.
Cont’d 2 Timothy 3:14-17 – But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
Paul is telling Timothy to stick to the scriptures of God’s holy word and to the teachings of Jesus. The scriptures must be read through the spirit and interpretation of Jesus.
John 5:39 – You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me,
Luke 24:27 – And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
All scripture must be read, and received (understood) through the Holy Spirit, not someone’s own interpretation.
1 John 2:27 – As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him.
The Holy Spirit has the real true meaning of scripture while the counterfeit is from human reasoning.
John 6:45 – It is written in the Prophets: ‘They will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard the Father and learned from him comes to me.
John 14:26 – But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
We must receive our interpretation from the Holy Spirit (from above) and not from man.
Matthew 16:17 – Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.
1 Corinthians 2:10 – But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets.
Galatians 1:6-12 – I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! 9 As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse!
10 Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. 11 I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin. 12 I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.
Relying on the interpretations of others, such as those offered by denominational teachings, can lead to error and misunderstanding. It is crucial that our personal understanding of Scripture aligns with the teachings of the apostles and Jesus, as their divinely-inspired wisdom provides a reliable foundation for our spiritual growth and development. We cannot have a private interpretation that is different from the apostles and Jesus.
2 Peter 1:20-21 – knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. 21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
This verse is not referring to having differing opinions to people in our generation. It is speaking about differing from the interpretations and opinions of the Apostles and Gospel itself.
We shouldn’t look to outside sources if it is not explained or corroborated in the Bible, we shouldn’t arrive at our own conclusions.
Isaiah 5:21 – Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and shrewd in their own sight!
Jesus warns us of this concept also:
Luke 11:35 – Therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness.
If we don’t know the truth of any aspect in the Bible, we must disregard it.
Proverbs 24:10-12 – If you falter in a time of trouble, how small is your strength! 11 Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. 12 If you say, “But we knew nothing about this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay everyone according to what they have done?
God is able to recognize the things we truly do not understand and do in ignorance.
1 Timothy 1:13 – though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief,
For the time being, ignorance is better than reaching a wrong conclusion. At least in the future, we may still find the answer and then be able to follow it. Rather than reaching a wrong conclusion, at which point, we would then no longer be looking for the answer. Thereby, we could miss the truth when spoken to us. We may find ourselves condemning the righteous due to our misunderstanding/our wrong understanding.
Proverbs 17:15 – He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous are both alike an abomination to the Lord.
Malachi 2:17 – You have wearied the Lord with your words. “How have we wearied him?” you ask. You have wearied him by saying that all who do evil are good in the Lord’s sight, and he is pleased with them. You have wearied him by asking, “Where is the God of justice?”
It’s better to not know something than to come to a wrong conclusion. If we jump to the wrong conclusion, we might stop searching for the right answer and miss the truth when it’s presented to us.
What Is The Biblical Meaning Of Heaping Burning Coals On Someone’s Head?
This brings us to the point of this study. In the Old Testament it is written:
Proverbs 25:21-22 – If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, 22 for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.
Is heaping burning coals on someone’s head, a positive statement or a negative one? The Apostle Paul repeats this in the New Testament:
Romans 12:14-18 – Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
Paul adds further insight to this saying by explaining that we must not repay evil for evil, which the Bible supports many times.
Luke 6:27-28 – “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.
Luke 6:32-33 – “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.
Luke 6:35-36 – But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. 36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.
1 Peter 3:9-14 – Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. 10 For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; 11 let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” 13 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled,
It is God who will avenge us. Although we bless those who curse us, God does not. He curses those who curse us.
Genesis 27:29 – Let peoples serve you, and nations bow down to you. Be lord over your brothers, and may your mother’s sons bow down to you. Cursed be everyone who curses you, and blessed be everyone who blesses you!”
Genesis 12:3 – I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.
Exodus 23:22 – “But if you carefully obey his voice and do all that I say, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries.
Numbers 24:9 – He crouched, he lay down like a lion and like a lioness; who will rouse him up? Blessed are those who bless you, and cursed are those who curse you.”
We must bless those who curse and revile us. God will avenge us if we do not avenge ourselves.
Cont’d Romans 12:19 – Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”
This is a key verse that gives context to Paul’s interpretation to the saying “pour heaping coals on their head”. Paul is stating not to avenge ourselves, but rather do good to those who curse and revile us. Thus, leaving room for God himself, to avenge us by Him punishing them.
Proverbs 20:22 – Do not say, “I will repay evil”; wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you.
In order for God’s vengeance to take place, we must not incur any sin in the situation by doing anything revenge orientated and malicious. Rather, we should resist doing any evil to our enemy in any way we can, and ensure we are sinless in the situation so God can act on our behalf.
Cont’d Romans 12:20-21 – To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Paul is stating, that by the good we do to those who revile us, they are put to shame:
1 Peter 3:16-17 – having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.
Titus 2:8 – and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.
1 Peter 2:15 – For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.
1 Peter 2:12 – Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.
It is important to remember that anyone who reviles or condemns the righteous is an abomination to the Lord.
Proverbs 17:15 – He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous are both alike an abomination to the Lord.
Those who revile the righteous shall either be put to shame and repent during this life. Or be punished with the everlasting punishment of God’s eternal anger against them in the age to come. This is the ‘burning coals’ that Paul is referring to; God’s eternal anger.
Matthew 25:41 – Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
2 Thessalonians 1:9 – They will be punished with eternal destruction, forever separated from the Lord and from his glorious power.
Matthew 25:46 – Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.
Daniel 12:2 – Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.
John 5:29 – …and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned.
Embracing Trials and Persecution
Persecution is inevitable if we wish to speak the truth and lead a Godly life.
2 Timothy 3:12 – Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,
John 15:20 – Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.
Acts 14:22 – strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.
We are not to be surprised at these trials and persecutions.
James 1:2-4 – Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
James 1:12 – Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
1 Peter 4:12-16 – Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.
1 Peter 4:19 – Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.
Instead, we are meant to leap for joy when we are persecuted for righteousness sake.
Luke 6:22-23 – “Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! 23 Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets
Matthew 5:11-12 – “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
The Apostles obeyed Jesus’ teachings on this subject:
Acts 5:40-42 – and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. 42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.
This concept can be found in the Old Testament as well:
Isaiah 51:7 – “Listen to me, you who know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear not the reproach of man, nor be dismayed at their revilings.
By choosing not to take revenge and finding joy in times of persecution instead, we avoid committing sin. By not taking revenge, we leave room for God’s wrath to take action. Thus, we can conclude that the phrase “heaping burning coals on someone’s head” should not be seen as a positive action, but rather as a form of punishment by God’s wrath.
Psalm 11:2, 5 & 6 – For look, the wicked bend their bows;
they set their arrows against the strings
to shoot from the shadows
at the upright in heart…
5 The Lord examines the righteous,
but the wicked, those who love violence,
he hates with a passion.
6 On the wicked he will rain
fiery coals and burning sulfur;
a scorching wind will be their lot.
Psalms 140 – Deliver me, O Lord, from evil men; preserve me from violent men, 2 who plan evil things in their heart and stir up wars continually. 3 They make their tongue sharp as a serpent’s, and under their lips is the venom of asps. Selah 4 Guard me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from violent men, who have planned to trip up my feet. 5 The arrogant have hidden a trap for me, and with cords they have spread a net; beside the way they have set snares for me. Selah 6 I say to the Lord, You are my God; give ear to the voice of my pleas for mercy, O Lord! 7 O Lord, my Lord, the strength of my salvation, you have covered my head in the day of battle. 8 Grant not, O Lord, the desires of the wicked; do not further their evil plot, or they will be exalted! Selah 9 As for the head of those who surround me, let the mischief of their lips overwhelm them! 10 Let burning coals fall upon them! Let them be cast into fire, into miry pits, no more to rise! 11 Let not the slanderer be established in the land; let evil hunt down the violent man speedily! 12 I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and will execute justice for the needy. 13 Surely the righteous shall give thanks to your name; the upright shall dwell in your presence.
Psalm 120 – In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me. 2 Deliver me, O Lord, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue. 3 What shall be given to you, and what more shall be done to you, you deceitful tongue? 4 A warrior’s sharp arrows, with glowing coals of the broom tree! 5 Woe to me, that I sojourn in Meshech, that I dwell among the tents of Kedar! 6 Too long have I had my dwelling among those who hate peace. 7 I am for peace, but when I speak, they are for war!
Burning Coals Is A Form Of Punishment
Never in the Bible is burning coals used in a positive light.
Psalms 18:3,6,8 & 12-15 – I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I have been saved from my enemies… 6 In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears…8 Smoke rose from his nostrils; consuming fire came from his mouth, burning coals blazed out of it…12 Out of the brightness before him hailstones and coals of fire broke through his clouds.13 The Lord also thundered in the heavens, and the Most High uttered his voice, hailstones and coals of fire. 14 He shot his arrows and scattered the enemy, with great bolts of lightning he routed them. 15 The valleys of the sea were exposed and the foundations of the earth laid bare at your rebuke, Lord, at the blast of breath from your nostrils.
Exodus 9:23 – Then Moses stretched out his staff toward heaven, and the Lord sent thunder and hail, and fire ran down to the earth. And the Lord rained hail upon the land of Egypt.
Joshua 10:11 – And as they fled before Israel, while they were going down the ascent of Beth-horon, the Lord threw down large stones from heaven on them as far as Azekah, and they died. There were more who died because of the hailstones than the sons of Israel killed with the sword.
Genesis 19:24 – Then the LORD rained on Sodom and Gomorrah sulfur and fire from the LORD out of heaven.
Numbers 16:35 – And fire came out from the Lord and consumed the 250 men offering the incense.
2 Kings 1:9-10 – Then he sent to Elijah a captain with his company of fifty men. The captain went up to Elijah, who was sitting on the top of a hill, and said to him, “Man of God, the king says, ‘Come down!’” 10 Elijah answered the captain, “If I am a man of God, may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men!” Then fire fell from heaven and consumed the captain and his men.
This can also be found in the New Testament.
Luke 9:54-56 – And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? 55 But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. 56 For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.
From this passage, we can see that the disciples did not understand the concept of not doing evil to one’s enemy. They asked God to bring calamity and eternal punishment on others. Jesus rebukes the disciples for thinking this way and explains to them that they are not acting in the manner of God’s spirit. They failed to realize what many of us also don’t understand. That we must be sinless in our actions. Our acts of kindness towards our enemies will either evoke feelings of shame, guilt and repentance, or it will inevitably ensure eternal punishment on them (fire from heaven).
Leaving Room For God’s Vengeance
God will always punish those who revile the righteous.
Deuteronomy 32:35 – Vengeance is mine, and recompense, for the time when their foot shall slip; for the day of their calamity is at hand, and their doom comes swiftly.’
At the same time, we must not rejoice in the calamity that God will inevitably bring due to their unrepentance.
Proverbs 24:17-18 – Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles, 18 lest the Lord see it and be displeased, and turn away his anger from him.
Job 31:29-30 – “If I have rejoiced at the ruin of him who hated me, or exulted when evil overtook him 30 (I have not let my mouth sin by asking for his life with a curse),
Proverbs 17:5 – Whoever mocks the poor insults his Maker; he who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished.
Obidiah 1:12 – But do not gloat over the day of your brother in the day of his misfortune; do not rejoice over the people of Judah in the day of their ruin; do not boast in the day of distress.
The point to this is, that by hating our enemy, we incur sin in rejoicing in his calamity. By rejoicing in our enemies’ calamity, we are sinning since this is hate. We are not to hate and this concept can be found in the Old Testament:
Leviticus 19:17 – “You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him.
It is also found in the New Testament. On the contrary, we must love our enemy:
Matthew 5:43-48 – “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Luke 6:35 – But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.
Matthew 6:14-15 – For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Ephesians 4:31-32 – Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Ephesians 4:26 – Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger,
Matthew 5:38-39 – “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.
In conclusion, some sources may cite the meaning of “heaping burning coals on someone’s head” as a positive notion. However, as Christians, we must extract the biblical meaning of “heaping burning coals on someone’s head” from scripture. According to scripture, this phrase is meant to be used to describe a form of punishment and shame. As Christians, we are called to love our enemies and not seek revenge. If we respond to those who revile and persecute us with kindness and love, we can trust that God will ultimately avenge us. Let us strive to live by this principle and trust in the justice of God.
