Troublesome TopicREFERENCES ABOUT MERCY OVER PUNISHMENT

Besides Moses, there were a few others who proved that they understood God’s character.

Abraham in Genesis 18:16-33. Here is verse 25:   Far be it from You to do such a thing—to kill the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Will not the Judge of all the earth do what is right?  (Berean study Bible)

The prophet Daniel in Dan 9:18b-19   For we are not presenting our petitions before You because of our righteous acts, but because of Your great compassion. O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For Your sake, O my God, do not delay, because Your city and Your people bear Your name. (Berean study Bible)

Paul as seen in Romans 9:3    For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh. ESV

Here are some of the verses that reveal the slightly off-center balance of God’s mercy and holiness.

Ps 30:5 For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. ESV

Ps 103:10-14 He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust. ESV

Isaiah 54:8  “In an outburst of anger I hid My face from you for a moment, But with everlasting favor I will have compassion on you,” Says the LORD your Redeemer.  NASB

Jer 9:23-24   This is what the LORD says: “The wise man is not to boast in his wisdom; the strong man is not to boast in his strength; and the rich man is not to boast in his riches. Rather, let the one who boasts, boast in this: that he understands and knows me, for I am the LORD who acts with gracious love, justice, and righteousness in the land. I delight in these things,” declares the LORD. ISV (International Standard Version).

Jer 14:7 Although our iniquities testify against us, O LORD, act for the sake of Your name. Indeed, our rebellions are many; we have sinned against You. (Berean standard Bible).

See also Jer 14:21, Jer 48:31-32, 36;  Jer 49:11.

Ezek 20:44And you shall know that I am the LORD, when I deal with you for my name’s sake, not according to your evil ways, nor according to your corrupt deeds, O house of Israel, declares the Lord GOD.” ESV

Ezek 33:11 “Say to them, As I live, declares the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel?” ESV

Ezek 36:22 Thus says the Lord GOD: “It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations to which you came.  ESV

Dan 9:17-19  Now therefore, O our God, listen to the prayer of your servant and to his pleas for mercy, and for your own sake, O Lord, make your face to shine upon your sanctuary, which is desolate.  O my God, incline your ear and hear. Open your eyes and see our desolations, and the city that is called by your name. For we do not present our pleas before you because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy.  O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive. O Lord, pay attention and act. Delay not, for your own sake, O my God, because your city and your people are called by your name.” (ESV)

Jonah 4:2   He prayed to the LORD and said, “O LORD, is this not what I said when I was still in my country? That is why I ran to Tarshish, because I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and great in lovingkindness, and [when sinners turn to You] You revoke the [sentence of] disaster [against them].” (Amplified Bible)

Matt 5:7 Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. ESV

Jn 8:11 Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on, sin no more.” ESV

James 2:13 Mercy triumphs over judgment. ESV