Your Daily Slice

Iyar 21

Love Mercy

“He has shown you, O man, what is good; and WHAT DOES THE LORD REQUIRE OF YOU but to do justly, TO LOVE MERCY …” (Mic 6:8 NKJV, emphasis mine)

The story of Joshua and the walls of Jericho is one most of us are familiar with; many of us can recite the story of the two spies, sent by Joshua into Jericho, and how Rahab, a prostitute of that city, first concealed them, and then aided them in their escape. Rahab and her family had heard of the Israelites, knew of the Elohim of the Israelites, and suspected who would be victorious in the coming battle.  She appealed to the mercy, or kindness (as some translations will read) of the spies, and to the mercy of their God, that she and her family would be saved (see Jos 2, especially verses 12-13).  Because of her faith in the Elohim Chayim, the Living God, Rahab’s name is found in the genealogy of our Messiah Yeshua (Mat 1:5). 

The word in Jos 2:12 translated “kindness” is the same word translated into “mercy” in our opening verse from Micah.  It is the Hebrew word chêSêd (Strong’s #H2617), and I was amazed to find how rich in meaning this word is!  Within this word is found such a strong sense of commitment, particularly by our ABBA Father to His Word, and His promises within His Word.  There is the commitment that our Creator will keep His Word, His Covenant, because of His love and His mercy towards us, especially to those who walk in right relationship with Him.  Elsewhere in the Scriptures, chêSêd has been translated as kindness, steadfast love, loving-kindness, loyalty, favor, and faithfulness, but all of it include a serious commitment to relationships.  Is not our Father’s relationship with us, His children, the most incredible example of mercy?

YHWH requires us to not only “do justly”, but “to love mercy”.  It is very possible to “do justly” from a wrong attitude, but when doing what is right comes through a heart filled with the mercy of our Elohim, that is when we are truly “letting our lights so shine before men” (Mat 5:16).  Mercy is the color of Messiah Yeshua’s blood, for it is the color of the atonement (see Ex 34:7; Eph 2:4-6; Tit 3:5); mercy is the name of our Father’s throne, for it is called the “Mercy-Seat” (see Ex 25:22; Heb 4:16).  Mercy, just like the blood of Yeshua, must flow out of us for it to be effective.  It can never be hoarded and kept inactive, for when we do so, it stagnates, and dies…

“For I DESIRED MERCY, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of Elohim more than burnt offerings.” (Mat 9:13 HRB, emphasis mine)

“But the mercy of YAHWEH is from everlasting, even to everlasting, on those who fear Him; yea, His righteousness is to the sons of sons; to those who keep His covenant, and to those who remember His commandments, to do them.” (Ps 103:17-18 HRB)

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