Proverbs 24:17

Rejoice not. A sentiment similar to that expressed by Jesus when He said, “Love your enemies, ... do good to them that hate you” (Matt. 5:44). It is human nature to rejoice when an enemy falls into trouble. We may attempt to disguise our sinful satisfaction at his woe by professing to feel a righteous pleasure that justice has been done; but our inmost feelings are contrary to the example and teaching of Jesus, who died for a world of enemies (Rom. 5:8-10). We must show a love for lost humanity that seeks to save, not to destroy, and that grieves at the fate of those who go contrary to right (see Eze. 33:11; Hosea 11:8; Luke 19:41, 42; DA 575, 576).

These foreshadowings of the more complete revelation of heavenly love help to demonstrate that it was the Spirit of Christ that spoke through the prophets of old (1 Peter 1:11).