Truth
Doctrine #25: Mercy
Doctrine #25
Doctrine #25 Read
Imagine yourself at an incredible banquet. People are enjoying conversations, the sublime entrees, and the luxurious setting. You, being a tad klutzy, sitting directly beside the host, fling your arms open wide splashing your champagne all over your host and the amazing table.
How would you want your host to treat you in that moment? What if you were the host, how would you treat your guest?
Overview
Mercy is the postponement of justice. The postponement is the time between the unjust act and the reconciling through justice. Mercy allows God to give people time to repair the injustices they have caused. Mercy also allows God to wait until Judgment Day to equal everything out, both good and bad.
Discussion Question
Do you believe you are repairing the injustices you have caused?
Scripture
13But go ye and learn what this meaneth, I desire mercy, and not sacrifice: for I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.
13But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
Commentary
Swokowski Bible Commentary on this passage
Commentary · verses 12-13
Jesus responded by saying He came to heal the sick and to call sinners to repentance. Jesus also gave them a verse to study: Hosea 6:6. Jesus was showing the Pharisees that He was following the scriptures.
7But if ye had known what this meaneth, I desire mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.
7But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.
Commentary
Jesus stated that if they had known what the scriptures meant (God's Thinking), they would not have condemned the guiltless. Basically, the Pharisees were quick to equal out justice, so quick they made a wrong decision. We know that men are not Right and Just, and do not have Holy measures. The Pharisees were without wisdom and condemned the guiltless: those who were guilty without just cause. Part of God being Right is that He is slow to equal out Justice. Here's the verse Jesus referenced...
Swokowski Bible Commentary on this passage
Commentary · verses 7-8
The Sabbath was for God to direct our actions. This meant the cause behind these actions on the Sabbath were what ought to be the focus. WHY David and Jesus' Disciples collected food on the Sabbath was what mattered.
6For I desire goodness, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt-offerings.
6For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
Commentary
In the King James Version, the word was "mercy" in the Old Testament. In the American Standard Version (the default version on this site) the word was "kindness" or "loving-kindness". For instance...
Swokowski Bible Commentary on this passage
Commentary · verses 5-6
God desired goodness (mercy) over sacrifice and knowledge over burnt-offerings (1 Samuel 15:22). This did not mean that God did not desire sacrifice or burnt-offerings at all. This meant God desired mercy and knowledge more.
Exodus 34:6-7
ChapterRead the ChapterChanges this passage only. Set your default for every passage.
6And Jehovah passed by before him, and proclaimed, Jehovah, Jehovah, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in lovingkindness and truth; 7keeping lovingkindness for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin; and that will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, upon the third and upon the fourth generation.
6And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,
7Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.
Commentary
Notice, God's mercy extends to everyone and He will not clear the guilty. God will not violate justice. God cannot be always completely Just and always completely Merciful. How would He handle the guilty? If He is always completely Just, He punishes them. If He is always completely Merciful, He doesn't punish them. This passage, and many others, state God will by no means clear the guilty, because He is always completely Just. So, what principles are the guides when God shows mercy?
Swokowski Bible Commentary on this passage
Commentary · verses 1-35
This chapter dealt with the renewal of the covenant that the people broke while Moses was with God on the mount.
Commentary · verses 5-7
The Lord professed His Name. What was the value of God professing His own Name? God was making Himself known to Moses. The word "name" meant "causes" which would be God's Nature. God was also building Moses' faith by giving him a list of attributes/effects (merciful, gracious, etc.) of Himself.
19And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and will proclaim the name of Jehovah before thee; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.
19And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.
Commentary
God is Right, and Right guides when God shows mercy. It will be Right when God is merciful, and it will be Right when he executes justice. Have there ever been times when you needed mercy, and other times when it was best for you to get a spanking immediately?
Swokowski Bible Commentary on this passage
Commentary · verse 19
Paul referenced this verse in Romans 9:15.
7Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
7Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Commentary
In the beatitudes, this is the first principle that talks about dealing with other people. If you think of interacting with someone as exchanging currency mercy is like a "penny." If you cannot show mercy, you cannot progress towards being a peacemaker.
Swokowski Bible Commentary on this passage
Commentary · verses 1-48
This chapter began what was referred to as "The Sermon on the Mount." This was Jesus' premier teaching.
Commentary · verses 6-8
"Pure in heart": the heart is the most fertile soil. Everything we say and do is planted in the heart and it will result in a crop, either profitable or unprofitable.
13For judgment is without mercy to him that hath showed no mercy: mercy glorieth against judgment.
13For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
Commentary
Just guides God's mercy. God gives mercy to those who are merciful. This is causality and wisdom. You prove HOW you want God to treat you by your actions and decisions. Right and Just guide every attribute of God. God is always completely Right and always completely Just. However, we will see God is not always completely the other attributes people claim, like merciful. There are times God is not merciful. Do you think that it would be Wrong if God was always and completely merciful? Just think of a child that never has any consequences, both good and bad; they are usually not very pleasant.
Swokowski Bible Commentary on this passage
Commentary · verse 13
Another logical causal statement from James based on Justice.
8Jehovah is gracious, and merciful; Slow to anger, and of great lovingkindness.
8The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.
Commentary
God is slow to anger. This passage did not say that He is always completely merciful and never gets angry. God gets angry as we saw in Doctrine #18: Omnipotent when the children of Israel were sacrificing their children to the god of Baal.
Swokowski Bible Commentary on this passage
Commentary · verses 7-9
"Jehovah is Good to all" meant that God was always Right and Just in how He acted towards everyone.
2 Chronicles 7:6
ChapterRead the ChapterChanges this passage only. Set your default for every passage.
6And the priests stood, according to their offices; the Levites also with instruments of music of Jehovah, which David the king had made to give thanks unto Jehovah (for his lovingkindness endureth for ever), when David praised by their ministry: and the priests sounded trumpets before them; and all Israel stood.
6And the priests waited on their offices: the Levites also with instruments of musick of the LORD, which David the king had made to praise the LORD, because his mercy endureth for ever, when David praised by their ministry; and the priests sounded trumpets before them, and all Israel stood.
Commentary
This passage meant that God's ability to be merciful (lovingkindness) will be eternal. God does not have to equal out justice in eternity. In a later Doctrine, we will see why God won't equal out justice in eternity.
Swokowski Bible Commentary on this passage
Commentary · verses 1-22
This chapter continued the dedication of the temple.
Commentary · verse 6
The Levites played music with instruments that king David had made. It appeared David was more than an accomplished musician. He also made instruments.
Psalm 109:15-16
ChapterRead the ChapterChanges this passage only. Set your default for every passage.
15Let them be before Jehovah continually, That he may cut off the memory of them from the earth; 16Because he remembered not to show kindness, But persecuted the poor and needy man, And the broken in heart, to slay them.
15Let them be before the LORD continually, that he may cut off the memory of them from the earth.
16Because that he remembered not to shew mercy, but persecuted the poor and needy man, that he might even slay the broken in heart.
Commentary
Your actions prove what you believe...again, this is wisdom. God will not be merciful to those who persecute others and are unmerciful to others. If He did, He would be contradictory and unjust.
1 Timothy 1:12-14
ChapterRead the ChapterChanges this passage only. Set your default for every passage.
12I thank him that enabled me, even Christ Jesus our Lord, for that he counted me faithful, appointing me to his service; 13though I was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: howbeit I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief; 14and the grace of our Lord abounded exceedingly with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
12And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;
13Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
14And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
Commentary
Swokowski Bible Commentary on this passage
Commentary · verses 12-13
Paul obtained mercy because he did the above things "ignorantly in unbelief." Paul was unaware that he was acting in unbelief. Paul believed what he was doing (persecuting the church, etc.) was what God wanted him to do. Paul went hot or cold and found out that he was going cold. However, because Paul was acting and moving towards what he believed was God's Will, Christ was able to knock him on the ground on his way to Damascus, in response to Justice.
Commentary · verse 14
Paul was grateful that regardless of all the bad things he did, Christ counted him faithful and put him into ministry.
2 Samuel 7:14-17
ChapterRead the ChapterChanges this passage only. Set your default for every passage.
14I will be his father, and he shall be my son: if he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men; 15but my lovingkindness shall not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee.
16And thy house and thy kingdom shall be made sure for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.
17According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David.
14I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men:
15But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee.
16And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.
17According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David.
Commentary
God told David through Nathan that His mercy would never depart from David's son (Solomon). God never punished Solomon, even when his heart was led away by his many wives. Even when Solomon built up high places to other gods. However, Solomon had the most understanding of any man. God promised this to David. It was Right and Just of God to extend mercy to Solomon because He promised it and He gave Solomon wisdom so Solomon could learn by understanding because he couldn't learn by experience without being punished.
Swokowski Bible Commentary on this passage
Commentary · verses 1-29
This chapter introduced the Davidic Covenant.
Commentary · verse 14
Paul referenced this verse in 2 Corinthians 6:18.
Commentary · verse 15
God's lovingkindness (mercy) would not depart from David's seed who built God's house. This part of the Covenant eventually referred to Solomon. We will see that God would not punish Solomon during Solomon's time on earth.
Commentary · verses 16-17
Nathan relayed all of God's Words to David.
Ezekiel 18:19-32
ChapterRead the ChapterChanges this passage only. Set your default for every passage.
19Yet say ye, Wherefore doth not the son bear the iniquity of the father? When the son hath done that which is lawful and right, and hath kept all my statutes, and hath done them, he shall surely live.
20The soul that sinneth, it shall die: the son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son; the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.
21But if the wicked turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die.
22None of his transgressions that he hath committed shall be remembered against him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live.
23Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked? saith the Lord Jehovah; and not rather that he should return from his way, and live?
24But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? None of his righteous deeds that he hath done shall be remembered: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.
25Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel: Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal?
26When the righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth therein; in his iniquity that he hath done shall he die.
27Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive.
28Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die.
29Yet saith the house of Israel, The way of the Lord is not equal. O house of Israel, are not my ways equal? are not your ways unequal?
30Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord Jehovah. Return ye, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.
31Cast away from you all your transgressions, wherein ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?
32For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord Jehovah: wherefore turn yourselves, and live.
19Yet say ye, Why? doth not the son bear the iniquity of the father? When the son hath done that which is lawful and right, and hath kept all my statutes, and hath done them, he shall surely live.
20The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.
21But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die.
22All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live.
23Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?
24But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.
25Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel; Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal?
26When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die.
27Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive.
28Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die.
29Yet saith the house of Israel, The way of the Lord is not equal. O house of Israel, are not my ways equal? are not your ways unequal?
30Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.
31Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?
32For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.
Commentary
If God immediately equaled everything out, there would be no mercy. If God didn't have mercy we would not have an opportunity to repent for the wrongs we have done. God does not force us to repent, but gives us the opportunity to choose. One of the purposes of mercy is to give wicked people time to turn from their wickedness. God does not have pleasure in the death of people who turn their face away from Him, but those who choose His causes and live! Mercy allows God to continue to be always completely Right and always completely Just in the long term.
Swokowski Bible Commentary on this passage
Commentary · verses 19-20
The son did not bear the iniquity of the father.
Commentary · verse 21
If the wicked repented…
Commentary · verse 22
…their transgressions would be forgotten. Remember, confession was the admission of wrong-doing. It was a SAY. Repentance was the repairing of the wrong-doing. It was a DO.
Commentary · verse 23
God asked: Do I have any pleasure in the wicked dying and not repenting?
Commentary · verse 24
When the righteous turned away from righteousness and made progress towards wickedness, he would die.
Commentary · verse 25
The people were saying that God was not Just. God brought this up after He proved He was Just.
Commentary · verses 26-28
"Because he considereth..." was contrastive thinking, considering you could be wrong. This was humble.
Commentary · verses 29-32
The answer to verse 23: God had no pleasure in the death of him that did not repent. Therefore "turn yourselves and live..."
Commentary · verse 32
Ezekiel 16-18 covered God's analogy of being married to Judah and Israel, as well as the causes of Sodom's Judgment.
Closing Thoughts
Our entire lives are mercy! God gives us so many opportunities to choose if we desire to justify God, and think the way He Thinks! The other options are to justify ourselves and think as men, or even animals.
The ultimate man, Jesus, chose to think as God thought, and chose to refuse evil and do good. There is an invisible battle going on between good and evil. That battle is even happening right now inside of you. How would you know which side you are on unless you can define what Good and Evil mean?
Jesus quoted scripture to say God desires mercy, not sacrifice. If you say you are not a sinner you are justifying yourself and thinking as a man thinks. Sacrifice is a WHAT that brings things back to even. Mercy is a HOW/WHY and allows people time to repair damage they have done.