Extrabiblical Examples of God's Sovereignty and Justice Mercy
God's sovereignty, justice, and mercy are foundational attributes of His character, consistently demonstrated throughout biblical narratives and understood through theological reflection. The Lord is described as "merciful and righteous, and our God is full of compassion" [3]. His righteousness is part of His character, described as very high, abundant, beyond computation, everlasting, and enduring forever, forming the habitation of His throne [2]. This righteousness is exhibited in His testimonies, commandments, judgments, word, and acts [2].
God's mercy is equally central to His nature. It is described as great, rich, manifold, plenteous, abundant, sure, everlasting, and tender [1]. It is "new every morning" and "high as heaven," filling the earth and extending "over all his works" [1]. This mercy is not merely an abstract quality but is actively manifested, notably in the sending of Christ [1]. The goodness of God, a perfection of His character, encompasses His benevolence, mercy, pity, compassion, and long-suffering patience towards His creatures [4]. When exercised in communicating favor to the unworthy, it is called grace [4]. Goodness and justice are seen as different aspects of a single, unchangeable, infinitely wise, and sovereign moral perfection [4].
The interplay of these attributes is evident in various biblical accounts. For instance, God's righteous government is illustrated in His dealings with humanity, where His delivering power is acknowledged by both the rich and the helpless [7]. The greatness of sin itself highlights the need for God's pardon, demonstrating His perfections of love, mercy, goodness, and truth [8]. The Lord's love and forgiveness are portrayed as infinite and complete [12].
Beyond the direct biblical statements, these attributes are understood to be at work in the broader scope of God's interaction with the world. The concept of resignation, for example, involves submission to the will of God and His sovereign purposes, motivated by His greatness and love [5]. The unexpected grace and love of God, particularly as manifested in Christ, are believed to lead people to true repentance, a repentance that mere legal fear could not achieve [9]. Jesus's ministry, in particular, demonstrates God's compassion and power, reaching out to those marginalized and excluded from blessing, such as Gentiles, lepers, and the sick [10]. God is portrayed as the Father of all marginalized and needy people, showing them compassion and protecting their rights [11]. Even in instances of divine wrath, such as the overthrow of the Sodomites, the underlying principle is God's justice against sin [6].
Sources
- 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. ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Righteousness of God, The — Is part of his character -- Ps 7:9; 116:5; 119:137. Described as Very high. -- Ps 71:19. Abundant. -- Ps 48:10. Beyond computation. -- Ps 71:15. Everlasting. -- Ps 119:142. Enduring for ever. -- Ps 111:3. The habitation of his throne. -- Ps 97:2. Christ acknowledged -- Joh 17:25. Christ committed his cause to -- 1Pe 2:23. Angels acknowledge -- Re 16:5. Exhibited in His testimonies. -- Ps 119:138,144. His commandments. -- De 4:8; Ps 119:172. His judgments. -- Ps 19:9; 119:7,62. His word. -- Ps 119:123. His ways. -- Ps 145:17. His acts. -- J”
- Psalms “Psalms 116:5 (Geneva1599) — The Lord is mercifull and righteous, and our God is full of compassion.”
- 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 ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Resignation — Christ set and example of -- Mt 26:39-44; Joh 12:27; 18:11. Commanded -- Ps 37:7; 46:10. Should be exhibited in Submission to the will of God. -- 2Sa 15:26; Ps 42:5,11; Mt 6:10. Submission to the sovereignty of God in his purposes. -- Ro 9:20,21. The prospect of death. -- Ac 21:13; 2Co 4:16-5:1. Loss of goods. -- Job 1:15,16,21. Loss of children. -- Job 1:18,19,21. Chastisements. -- Heb 12:9. Bodily suffering. -- Job 2:8-10. The wicked are devoid of -- Pr 19:3. Exhortation to -- Ps 37:1-11. Motives to God's greatness. -- Ps 46:10. God's love. -- Heb 12:”
- Project Gutenberg “Flavius Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, CHAPTER 11, section 1: . How God Overthrew The Nation Of The Sodomites, Out Of His Wrath Against Them For Their Sins.”
- Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 22:27: His case illustrates God's righteous government. Beyond the existing time and people, others shall be brought to acknowledge and worship God; the fat ones, or the rich as well as the poor, the helpless who cannot keep themselves alive, shall together unite in celebrating God's delivering power, and transmit to unborn people the records of His grace.”
- Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 25:11: God's perfections of love, mercy, goodness, and truth are manifested (his name, compare Psa 9:10) in pardoning sin, and the greatness of sin renders pardon more needed.”
- 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).”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 8:1: 8:1–9:34 Here the Kingdom of God is manifested with supernatural power (see 4:23-25; 11:2-6). It reaches people who had been excluded from the blessing of God: Gentiles, lepers, blind people, sick women, demoniacs, tax collectors, those with a chronic hemorrhage, and the dead. Jesus shows compassion, but the religious leaders are provoked to opposition. Jesus calls his followers to faith and discipleship.”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 68:5: 68:5 God, the Father of all marginalized and needy people, shows them compassion and protects their rights (see 10:14, 18; 69:33; 82:3). • Like his dwelling, the Lord is holy. The supreme example of the holy God coming down to rescue humanity is Jesus Christ.”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 103:11: 103:11-12 The Lord’s love and forgiveness are infinite and complete.”