Mercy? Micah 6:6-8
Micah 6:6–8 (NKJV): 6With what shall I come before the LORD,And bow myself before the High God?Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings, With calves a year old? 7Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, Ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? 8He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God? “Micah, a prophet in the Old Testament, is known for his strong condemnation of injustice, particularly the oppression of the poor and the exploitation of the vulnerable by the wealthy and powerful. He preached against idolatry, dishonesty, and the corruption of religious leaders, all of which contributed to the social injustices he witnessed. Micah’s message emphasized the importance of doing justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God.”- Chuck Swindoll, 2009
Matthew 5:7 (NIV): 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
In the Bible, mercy is defined as compassionate treatment, especially when one has the power to punish or harm. It encompasses forgiveness, withholding judgment, and providing relief from suffering or hardship. God’s mercy is portrayed as an attribute of his character, showing his pity and kindness towards people, even when they are not deserving of it.
Mercy in Hebrew- רַחֲמִים (rachamim) literally means “womb”- the love a mother has for a child while carrying them up to birth. (The opposite of this word would transform into the Aramaic word “raca” which means empty headed (like empty womb), worthless (women unable to conceive were treated as such), or fool (connected to barrenness, absence of a brain, common sense). Mercy in Greek- έλεος – literally means “olive oil”. Olive oil was used to treat wounds. Olive oil was used for soothing, comforting, and healing. It speaks then to a merciful God who is all those things.
Luke 6:27–36 (NLT): 27 “But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. 28 Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. 29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also. 30 Give to anyone who asks; and when things are taken away from you, don’t try to get them back. 31 Do to others as you would like them to do to you. 32 “If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that? Even sinners love those who love them! 33 And if you do good only to those who do good to you, why should you get credit? Even sinners do that much! 34 And if you lend money only to those who can repay you, why should you get credit? Even sinners will lend to other sinners for a full return. 35 “Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked. 36 You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.
James 2:12–13 (NIV): 12 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.