A celebration continues outside the White House; Osama bin Laden was killed today. Similar revelry, no doubt, is occurring at night spots across the country. Message boards are percolating with tasteless exuberance at the announcement. And the president and his aides are rushing to claim credit for the assassination. But something does not seem right.
It is right to affirm the covert assault force, who risked their lives to protect our own. It is right for the one who cursed Israel (cf. Genesis 27:29), himself be cursed this day: Yom Hazikaron L'shoah U'l'gevurah (Shoah Remembrance Day). But is it right to "delight" in the death of another?
"... Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you..." (Mathew 5:44). Yet this must be reconciled with His other words: "Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man" (Genesis 9: 6).
"Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth" (Proverbs 24:17).
"... I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked" (Ezekiel 33:11).
If God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked, should we?
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