Exodus 23:5
If thou see the ass of him that hateth thee lying under his burden, and wouldest forbear to help him, thou shalt surely help with him.
Exodus 23:5 (KJV)
Context
This verse belongs to the covenant laws God gave Israel after the exodus. These laws shaped a community marked by justice, righteousness, and compassion. The command appears in a section dealing with fair treatment of others, including enemies. It is a concrete rule for daily life, not just a lofty ideal.
Meaning
The word “ass” means a donkey or other beast of burden. The scene is vivid: an enemy’s donkey has fallen under its heavy load and cannot rise. The owner may be hostile, and the natural impulse is to walk past. But God’s instruction is direct and forceful: “thou shalt surely help with him.” The Hebrew wording stresses certainty and obligation. Helping is not optional; it is a duty. The verse does not merely permit kindness to an enemy; it commands it.
The phrase “help with him” means working alongside the owner to lift the animal and set it upright. The goal is to relieve the animal’s distress and restore it to usefulness. This act also serves the enemy, even though the two may be at odds. The law assumes the enemy’s need is real and visible, and the Israelite’s duty is clear.
Biblical connections
This law is a concrete application of the command to love one’s neighbor, even when that neighbor is hostile. It shows that compassion must not be selective or based on the worthiness of the receiver. The same principle appears in the New Testament, where believers are told to overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21). Helping an enemy is a practical way to do that. It also reflects the character of God, who is merciful and just.
Application
This verse challenges us to let practical need override personal feelings. When someone who has wronged us faces trouble, we are still called to help. The command is not about feeling friendly toward an enemy; it is about performing a concrete act of assistance. Such acts can restore both the animal and, in a sense, the relationship.
Compassion toward enemies: Kindness is not limited to friends or those who treat us well.
Overcoming personal feelings: Animosity must not stop us from doing what is right.
Responsibility for the vulnerable: We must care for those who cannot help themselves, including animals.
God’s standards of justice: Fairness, mercy, and compassion apply to all people, regardless of relationship.
Reflection
God’s law here reveals His own character. He is merciful and just, and He expects His people to reflect that mercy in daily life. When we help an enemy, we not only relieve a burden but also demonstrate the heart of God. This command calls us to look beyond our own hurt and see the need before us. In doing so, we align our actions with God’s will and show that His love can work through us, even in difficult relationships. The law distinguishes God’s people by their justice and mercy, setting them apart in a world that often ignores the needy.
