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Demonstrations of God's Justice and Mercy in Old Testament

Demonstrations of God's Justice and Mercy in the Old Testament

The Old Testament is replete with demonstrations of God's justice and mercy, showcasing a complex and multifaceted divine character. One of the most striking aspects of God's nature in the Old Testament is the interplay between justice and mercy, as exemplified in Psalm 85:10, which declares, "Mercy and truth meet together. Righteousness and peace have kissed each other" [1].

God's mercy is a recurring theme throughout the Old Testament. It is described as part of His character, great, rich, manifold, plenteous, abundant, sure, everlasting, and tender [2]. one tradition writes, "Loving righteousness and judgment, Of the kindness of Jehovah is the earth full" [3]. This mercy is not limited to the Israelites but is a universal attribute, as seen in God's dealings with all His creatures.

The Old Testament also highlights God's justice, which is often demonstrated in His judgments. The names given to God in the Old Testament, such as "Elnaam" (God's fairness) and "Hanniel" (grace or mercy of God), reflect these attributes [4, 5]. God's goodness is described as benevolence, exercised with respect to the miseries of His creatures as mercy, pity, and compassion [6]. This goodness is not only a characteristic of God but also a motivator for human behavior, as seen in the call to remember God's mercies and respond in obedience.

In Deuteronomy 32, Moses recalls the days of old, highlighting God's kindness and concern for His people. This remembrance serves as a basis for gratitude and obedience [7]. Similarly, in Exodus 34:6, God's revelation of Himself to Moses emphasizes His compassion and mercy, underscoring the significance of these attributes in His character [8].

The connection between God's justice and mercy is further explored in the New Testament interpretations of Old Testament passages. For instance, Romans 3:21-26 discusses God's justifying righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ, attested by the law and the prophets [9]. This righteousness is not a new concept but is rooted in the Old Testament Scriptures.

The demonstration of God's mercy is not limited to the Israelites; it extends to the Gentiles as well. Romans 15:9 quotes Psalm 18:49, highlighting God's plan of mercy that encompasses both Jews and Gentiles [10]. The ultimate expression of God's mercy is seen in the redemption of His church, as celebrated in Psalm 136:23-24 [13].

The interplay between God's justice and mercy is also evident in His judgments. The example of the angels who sinned, as referenced in 2 Peter 2:4, illustrates God's vindication of those who remain faithful and His condemnation of those who deny Him [12]. This balance between justice and mercy is a recurring theme throughout the Old Testament.

In Ezekiel 36:31, the people are called to remember their evil ways with shame and loathing, a response prompted by God's unexpected grace and love manifested in Christ [11]. This repentance is a hallmark of God's mercy, as seen in the salvation by Christ, which springs from God's mercy and was promised to the Jewish fathers under the Old Testament [14].

The Old Testament thus presents a nuanced portrayal of God's justice and mercy, demonstrating that these attributes are not mutually exclusive but are intertwined aspects of His character. As one tradition writes, "The kindness of Jehovah is the earth full" [3], highlighting the pervasive nature of God's mercy.

Sources

  1. Psalms “Mercy and truth meet together. Righteousness and peace have kissed each other. -- Psalms 85:10”
  2. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Mercy of God, The — Is part of his character -- Ex 34:6,7; Ps 62:12; Ne 9:17; Jon 4:2,10,11; 2Co 1:3. Described as Great. -- Nu 14:18; Isa 54:7. Rich. -- Eph 2:4. Manifold. -- Ne 9:27; La 3:32. Plenteous. -- Ps 86:5,15; 103:8. Abundant. -- 1Pe 1:3. Sure. -- Isa 55:3; Mic 7:20. Everlasting. -- 1Ch 16:34; Ps 89:28; 106:1; 107:1; 136:1-26. Tender. -- Ps 25:6; 103:4; Lu 1:78. New every morning. -- La 3:23. High as heaven. -- Ps 36:5; 103:11. Filling the earth. -- Ps 119:64. Over all his works. -- Ps 145:9. Is his delight -- Mic 7:18. Manifested In the sending of Christ. ”
  3. Psalms “Psalms 33:5 (YLT) — Loving righteousness and judgment, Of the kindness of Jehovah is the earth full.”
  4. Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Elnaam — God's fairness”
  5. Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Hanniel — grace or mercy of God”
  6. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Goodness of God — A perfection of his character which he exercises towards his creatures according to their various circumstances and relations (Ps. 145:8, 9; 103:8; 1 John 4:8). Viewed generally, it is benevolence; as exercised with respect to the miseries of his creatures it is mercy, pity, compassion, and in the case of impenitent sinners, long-suffering patience; as exercised in communicating favour on the unworthy it is grace. "Goodness and justice are the several aspects of one unchangeable, infinitely wise, and sovereign moral perfection. God is not sometimes ”
  7. Deuteronomy (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Deuteronomy 32:7: Moses, having in general represented God to them as their great benefactor, whom they were bound in gratitude to observe and obey, in these verses gives particular instances of God's kindness to them and concern for them. 1. Some instances were ancient, and for proof of them he appeals to the records (Deu 32:7): Remember the days of old; that is, "Keep in remembrance the history of those days, and of the wonderful providences of God concerning the old world, and concerning your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; you will find a constant series of mercies at”
  8. Exodus (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Exodus 34:6: 34:6 compassion and mercy (see 20:5-6; 33:19 and study notes): The Creator who was revealing himself to the Israelites, and through them to the world, is a God of grace. Neither his justice nor his sovereignty are underlined here, as true as those attributes are. If God were merely just, the Old Testament would have ended at this point, or it would have picked up and started again with an entirely new family. This did not happen because God, in his unique character, is slow to anger and full of unfailing love and faithfulness. These qualities were the basis for hi”
  9. Romans (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Romans 3:21: GOD'S JUSTIFYING RIGHTEOUSNESS THROUGH FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST, ALIKE ADAPTED TO OUR NECESSITIES AND WORTHY OF HIMSELF. (Rom 3:21-26) But now the righteousness of God--(See on Rom 1:17). without the law--that is, a righteousness to which our obedience to the law contributes nothing whatever (Rom 3:28; Gal 2:16). is manifested, being witnessed--attested. by the law and the prophets--the Old Testament Scriptures. Thus this justifying righteousness, though new, as only now fully disclosed, is an old righteousness, predicted and foreshadowed in the Ol”
  10. Romans (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Romans 15:9: that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy--A number of quotations from the Old Testament here follow, to show that God's plan of mercy embraced, from the first, the Gentiles along with the Jews. as it is written-- (Psa 18:49). I will confess to--that is, glorify thee among the Gentiles.”
  11. Ezekiel (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ezekiel 36:31: remember your . . . evil ways--with shame and loathing. The unexpected grace and love of God, manifested in Christ to Israel, shall melt the people into true repentance, which mere legal fear could not (Eze 16:61, Eze 16:63; Psa 130:4; Zac 12:10; compare Jer 33:8-9).”
  12. 2 Peter (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Peter 2:4: 2:4-10 Three Old Testament examples of judgment show that God will vindicate those who remain faithful to him and will condemn those who deny him, including the false teachers (see 2:3). 2:4 The first example of judgment is the angels who sinned: The widespread Jewish tradition was that “the sons of God” in Gen 6:1-5 (understood as angels) had intercourse with women and were therefore judged by God at that time (see 1 Enoch 6–10; cp. 1 Pet 3:19-20; Jude 1:6). • in gloomy pits of darkness: This description of the underworld was popular in the ancient world and is p”
  13. Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 136:23: God's everlasting mercy is here celebrated, 1. In the redemption of his church, Psa 136:23, Psa 136:24. In the many redemptions wrought for the Jewish church out of the hands of their oppressors (when, in the years of their servitude, their estate was very low, God remembered them, and raised them up saviours, the judges, and David, at length, by whom God gave them rest from all their enemies), but especially in the great redemption of the universal church, of which these were types, we have a great deal of reason to say, "He remembered us, the children of men, ”
  14. Luke (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Luke 1:72: To perform the mercy promised to our fathers,.... By "mercy" is meant salvation by Christ, which springs from the mercy of God; the promise of which was an instance of mercy to the Jewish fathers under the Old Testament, and also the performance of it; for they were saved by the grace of our Lord Jesus, even as we: his blood was shed for the remission of sins that were past, and for the redemption of transgressions under the first Testament: and to remember his holy covenant; which was made between him, and his Son from all eternity; and was, at various times, dispens”
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