August 29, 2024
Mercy -- Part 4
2 Chronicles 28:14
08/29/2024
14 So the armed men left the captives and the spoil
before the princes and all the assembly. (ESV)
This week we are talking about mercy, the compassion shown
to those who are in distress and need. Mercy certainly includes
love and forgiveness, the acceptance that each person is a unique
individual who needs to be treated with kindness.
The northern kingdom of Israel, about 740 years before the
birth of Jesus Christ, had plundered the southern kingdom of
Judah. As the victorious army brought two hundred thousand
captives to Samaria with the intent to enslave them, the prophet
Oded and several prominent leaders stopped this atrocity. Oded
that the leaders called for mercy.
``So the armed men left the captives and the spoil before
the princes and all the assembly.'' The army, seeing the great
harm they were about to inflict, repented of their sin and acted
with kindness. As warriors, the army knew they were not able to
properly care for these captives. Therefore, those who called
for mercy accepted the responsibility for returning the captives
to their homes.
In this election season, where tensions run high, where
opinions are loudly expressed, we are tempted to divide this
nation in the same way the kingdom of David and Solomon was
divided. Yet, in the heat of the moment, can we show love,
respect, and mercy to those with whom we disagree? Can we allow
each person to express their opinion, knowing that all have
sinned against God and neighbor, thus need the forgiveness
offered by Christ Jesus? This incident which happened almost
2,800 years ago is also a call for us to love each other, show
mercy, and repent of our own sins.
May our Lord grant us the wisdom and strength to hear His
Word, to know of His mercy, and to reflect His grace to each
other. Amen.