If you see the donkey of someone who hates you fallen down under its load, do not leave it there; be sure you help them with it. The help given to the enemy extends to the animal itself: a donkey collapsed under its load is to be helped, not ignored. The someone who hates you — a personal enemy — has no claim on your assistance under the social logic of reciprocity. But the covenant logic overrides that: the animal is suffering, and the covenant community does not walk past suffering because of social complications. Luke 10:33 records the Samaritan who stopped to help the wounded man — the categories of enemy-help in Exodus 23:5 anticipate the parable's reversal of who counts as a neighbor.

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

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