Shouts of gladness? Or silence?

For the past couple of months I've been leading a Bible study of Proverbs, a book that I read often (and memorized much of) when I was in my teens, but had never studied carefully (or methodically) as a whole until now. Tonight's study included this verse, from chapter 11:

When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices; and when the wicked perish there are shouts of gladness. (Prov 11:10)

Which, of course, brings to mind the question: how should one respond to the news of the death of Osama bin Laden? Mark Brumley, on his Earthly City blog, writes:

It seems clear enough that a Christian ought not to rejoice in a man's death as such. But may a Christian rejoice in a wicked man's death, insofar as he did wicked things and one is pleased that such wicked things will cease? Praying for our enemies does not seem to preclude such a thing.

Read his entire post and answer. And then perhaps ponder the fact that Proverbs, in chapter 24, states:

Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles; lest the LORD see it, and be displeased, and turn away his anger from him. (Prov. 24:17-18)

How to explain the seeming contradiction? First, the Wisdom literature is fascinating in many ways, not least because of how it wrestles with apparently competing and contradicting positions, often without arriving at a clear solution or even attempted synthesis. There are obvious tensions that aren't always resolved. Bruce Waltke, in his impressive commentary (Eerdmans, 2004), writes, "The proverb [11:10] must be held in tension with 24:17. Over a personal fallen foe one must not gloat but show love, for he is a fellow human being (cf. 25:21-22). The next proverb pair (vv. 12-13) cautions against despising anyone." But Proverbs, as a whole, makes it clear that one can surely rejoice in justice, the victory of good over evil, and the downfall of those who would kill, harm, or do violence to the innocent.

Also, it seems to me that Proverbs 11:10 is more descriptive than instructive, and the events of the past couple of days bear that out. But Proverbs 24:17 is indeed instructive; it is a call to humility and a recognition of the thin line between giving thanks for deliverance from evil and giving into the sort of pride that is itself the root of sin. Yes, we should rejoice in justice, but be soberly circumspect when it comes to the killing of those who are evil. God desires that all men be saved (1 Tim. 2:4), but he also judges justly and "will render to every man according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are factious and do not obey the truth, but obey wickedness, there will be wrath and fury" (Rom. 2:6-8).

• The Judgment of God | Fr. James V. Schall, S.J.
• Hell and the Bible | Piers Paul Read
• The Brighter Side of Hell | Fr. James V. Schall, S.J.
• Are God's Ways Fair? | Ralph Martin

Comments

[Brad Birzer]

Best thoughts I've seen on this. Thanks profoundly, Carl.

[Lisa Graas]

I was just having a conversation about this with a friend and she loosely quoted that same Proverb (11:10) to me. I appreciate this article and agree with you. It makes sense.

[Carlos Caso-Rosendi]

"Also, it seems to me that Proverbs 11:10 is more descriptive than instructive, and the events of the past couple of days bear that out."

That is the right way to read those proverbs. Everything in the Bible is written for our benefit but one should be careful not to make the Bible say things that are not there.

A famous convert to the Catholic faith said to me once that he could not call St. Joseph "lord" in good conscience because he accepted only Jesus as his Lord. I reminded him that Jesus is certainly "Lord or lords" and that would be impossible if He was the only one call "lord" out there.

How easily we let the so called principle of free interpretation take hold of the way we read Holy Scripture. If we read the Bible prayerfully and reverently we shall meditate carefully and soak in its wisdom becoming wiser in the process. If we rush to see in Holy Writ the basis for our own prejudices, personal ideas, and preconceptions we are making bad use of that divine gift.

[D.L. Jones]

Justice, Mercy and Bin Laden by Dr. James H. Toner

[Matthew Wandishin]

I read 24:17 more as a proscription against envy (taking pleasure in another's failures or difficulties). To be sure, I have seen the reactions of some to the news of OBL's death that appear to fall into this, but reactions of many others have the appearance more of rejoicing in justice being carried out or in the removal of a threat to our country.

As you point out, the latter reaction is not only not wrong, but is in fact good. Therefore, as I read you to conclude, go ahead and rejoice, but be mindful of what exactly one is rejoicing over.

[melanie statom]

Imagine if we were truly to believe that the "justice of God", "God's retribution" is in fact the defining, clarifying, interpretive Word he has spoken in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. By all accounts, Jesus does not resurrect as a killing machine bent on retribution and revenge. Flannery O'Connor's protagonist in The Misfit says : " Jesus thrown everything off "....including our sense of justice. Seems to me there is simply no way around the non-violent path of Jesus. A direct mission to kill any human being ( including wicked ones) cannot ultimately be a Christian mission. To be morally troubled by the reveling over Osama Bin Laden's death is a indicator of spiritual health.

[Reg Kennedy]

I'm grateful for all these comments. But what help do these Proverbs give me in dealing with the fact that leaders like Bush2/Blair are responsible for more deaths than Bin Laden? Can I applaud the death of one yet rejoice in the lives of the others who claim to be Christians?