MERCIFUL JEHOVAH

 

I am always amazed when I cross paths with a member of the Church who does not study the Old Testament. My only reaction is: How much you miss….. I love all scriptures but my favourite is the Old Testament and here is why. In the Book of Mormon, I see the promised Messiah; in the Doctrine and Covenants, I see the majestic Christ; in the Pearl of Great Price, I see the pre-mortal God; in the New Testament, I see the loving Saviour; but in the Old Testament I see the merciful Jehovah. Out of all His attributes, this to me, is the most important, because it is His mercy in the end that grants my salvation. 

 

Anyone who studies the Old Testament and understands the history of the House of Israel cannot possibly deny the Saviour’s mercy. The book of Ezekiel alone stands as a witness of this. In Ezekiel’s day, the Lord had three significant prophets: Jeremiah, in the court of Judah, Daniel in the court of Babylon, and Ezekiel, a prophet called to the exiles in Babylonia. We know that ancient Israel rejected Jehovah and turned to other gods becoming so entrenched in sin that they became ripe for destruction and captivity.  You would wonder why after so much warning they received in Jerusalem, the Lord would even bother to call them to repentance yet again whilst in exile but so serious did He consider Ezekiel’s calling that He told him if he didn’t do it, He would hold him responsible for their sins (Ezekiel 3:17,18). And this is an interesting thing….with every instruction the Lord gave him, He told him the people will not believe him because ‘the house of Israel are impudent and hardhearted’ (Ezekie2:7). Six times He called the Israelites ‘a rebellious house’ (Ezekiel 2:5,6,7,9,26,27). Despite all their wickedness and stubbornness, mercy……

 

Because of God’s foreknowledge, He knew which one of us would be saved and which would be lost. You would think because of this foreknowledge the Saviour didn’t have to atone for everyone. It would certainly lessen the pain of Gethsemane. Yet He hung on the cross despite His power to end it, until every soul was accounted and atoned for, until He could say: “It is finished” (John 19:30). Is this not mercy?

 

Will the sinner for whom you suffered, 

Who rejected and reviled Thee

Weep in the end for Thy pain and Thy sorrow?

Will his heart understand

When he kneels before Thee

The debt he owes for the existence

Of his merciful tomorrow?

 

- CATHRYNE ALLEN

(ART: Portrait of the Christ by Richard L George)