August 26, 2024
Mercy -- Part 1
2 Chronicles 28:8
08/26/2024
8 The men of Israel took captive 200,000 of their
relatives, women, sons, and daughters. They also
took much spoil from them and brought the spoil to
Samaria. (ESV)
This week's Old Testament lesson comes from the book of
Second Chronicles where the author shows both the sin of the
southern kingdom of Judah, the desire for revenge, and the mercy
which comes as we realize and confess our own sin. The theme of
this week is built on God's mercy, both in the Old Testament
lesson and in the parable of the Good Samaritan.
Mercy is the compassionate treatment of those who are in
distress, especially when it is within the ability of the one who
is merciful to bring harm. It encompasses also forgiveness and
expressions of love.
After the death of King Solomon, the Jewish kingdom split
into Israel in the north and Judah in the south. As in any
divided nation, there was animosity and war between the two
groups. Our text speaks of a defeat of Judah by Israel around
740 years before the birth of Jesus. ``The men of Israel took
captive 200,000 of their relatives, women, sons, and daughters.
They also took much spoil from them and brought the spoil to
Samaria.''
In war, in taking captive almost a quarter million people,
the northern kingdom was not showing mercy. Their plan was to
make slaves of these captives from Judah, the same way any
foreign conqueror would enslave a defeated nation. But, these
people were not the spoils of war, but descendants of Abraham,
Isaac, and Jacob, cousins and relatives of the people of the
north.
This week we will look at the mercy shown to these captives,
learning from their story how we also show mercy to others.
May our Lord grant us the grace to hear His Word and to
learn of His love. Amen.