West Main

BETWEEN JUDGMENT AND MERCY

 

A common misconception in the popular mind of those not familiar with the Bible is that God depicted in the Old Testament is oppressive and judgmental. A further popular misconception is that this supposedly judgmental God of the Old Testament is not the same as the God of mercy in the New Testament. The question I would like to briefly ponder in this article is, “Is mercy a problem for God as depicted in the Old Testament?”

 

 

Perhaps no better place in the Old Testament to consider the contrast between mercy and judgment is Hosea chapter eleven. Space here will not allow me to cite the chapter in full, so I highly recommend you take the time on your own to read this chapter in its entirety. In short, God likens his relationship to Israel as parents who “lift infants to their cheeks” (Hos 11:4). God is Israel’s Father who teaches them to walk, holds them in his arms, heals them, feeds them, and binds them in love (Hos 11:3-4).

 

 

Yet despite God’s Fatherly love Israel is a “people [who] are bent on turning away” and who keep on “sacrificing to the Baals, and offering incense to idols” (Hos 11:2, 7). One question that is raised in the Old Testament canon that is perhaps not appreciated by the less biblically informed centers on how God continues to love a people who remain unloving and sinful. How does God demonstrate righteous indignation for the injustices Israel perpetuates on the defenseless and weak and yet at the same time maintain his love for Israel?

 

 

Even in our limited human experience we touch upon the tension that exists between mercy and judgment. Take the issues surrounding the contemporary problem of illegal immigration in our country today as one example. One side of us may desire to show mercy toward those who desire to escape the social and economic hardships of their own country. We can empathize with those who illegally enter our country in desperate pursuit of providing more for their family’s survival. On the other hand, we also believe the laws of the land need to be obeyed and that it is not just that those illegally entering are going before those seeking to legally enter. What is the proper balance (if that is the word) between mercy and justice when it comes to immigration? The diversity of answers even among people of faith testifies to the complexity of the problem.

 

 

The complexity in which God deals with mercy and justice is beyond our comprehension when you take into account that God is dealing with all of humanity! We can see into how God wrestles (if that is the right word) with mercy and justice in his relationship to his people when we read, “How can I hand you over, O Israel . . . . My heart recoils within me; my compassion grows warm and tender. I will not execute my fierce anger . . . for I am God and no mortal, the Holy One in your midst, and I will not come in wrath” (Hos 11:8-9).

 

 

The fulcrum that balances God’s mercy and judgment in the Old Testament is God’s love! Thank God our God is “no mortal” for we would all have been abandoned long ago to the consequences of our sin and injustices. Human beings can only endure, forgive, and reconcile so much. Yet, God is love (1 John 4:16), a perfect love that knows exactly and how to show mercy and judgment and even redeem us who are lost in sin and death. The truth of the matter is that the God of the Old Testament is the same God of the New Testament who alone can balance the scales of mercy and judgment. For between mercy and judgment stands the love of God!

 

 

– Terry

 

 

We Begin Our Neighbor to Neighbor Sunday Nights at Lewis Park this Sunday evening, June 24, at 6:00 p.m. We will begin each Sunday evening with a few songs, and a short devotional. In addition, we will provide free hamburgers and hot dogs to whomever chooses to come. Please come join us for an evening of fun, fellowship and food and invite your neighbors to come join us!

 

 

July 4^th Picnic and Fireworks  -- Our area is reserved for us at 3:00 p.m. in Don Jones Park in Central Point, so come early and enjoy the park. We will eat around 5:00 p.m. You are asked to bring your own dinner. Please bring snacks and a dessert to share. Bring your own chairs and canopies (please do not stake the canopies into the ground). Car-pooling is a good idea. Extra parking is available at La Clinica Health Center. The Red, White, and Boom fireworks display at the Expo will begin at 9:40 p.m. Also, there is a water feature at the park for the children to play in. Please come join us for a fun afternoon and evening at the park!

 

 

 

Summer 2012 At West Main  -- If you haven’t picked up one of our “Neighbor to Neighbor: The People You Meet Each Day” booklets yet, be sure to do so. They are located on the information tables in the auditorium and at the information center in the courtyard. In the booklet you will find out what’s going on at West Main this summer (and there is a lot going on), so don’t miss out!

 

 

On The Bulletin Board  -- The Puyallup Church of Christ in Puyallup, WA, is planning a Spiritual Growth Workshop October 12-14. The theme this year is “Rejoice Always,” with lessons from the book of Philippians. A flyer is posted on the courtyard bulletin board for more information.

 

Prayer Requests... For Mike Eddy as he recovers from knee surgery at home...For a friend of Patsy Brophy, Bob Sies, who will have cancer surgery this week...For Peggy Sutherland, a friend of the Barlow’s, who continues to have more tests...For Kim Testerman as she recovers from a broken foot...For Shayla Davis and her family as they plan a move to New Orleans...For Bob Stapp and his campus life ministry - that all goes well at their camp this week...Colleen Abbott requests prayers for her step-son’s grandfather who has been diagnosed with a brain tumor...For Lee Stapp as she travels to Wilsonville this week and that all will go well with Lilli’s adoption...For our President and all of our military men, women and families.

 

 

 

Our Sympathy is extended to two of our family members. The mother of Lois Smith, Mildred Vanderpool, died Saturday. She was nearly ninety-seven years old. She had fallen and hit her head and died from a brain hemorrhage. No memorial service is planned.

Also, our sympathy is extended to the family of Tom Dixon who passed away early Sunday morning. There will be a graveside service for Tom at Scenic Hills Memorial Park in Ashland on Saturday, June 23, at 2:00 p.m.

 

 

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

July 4: Picnic at Don Jones Park in Central Point

July 8-14: CAMP

July 28-August 3: PUMP

Neighbor to Neighbor Sunday Evenings at Lewis Park at 6:00 p.m. on the following dates:

June 24

July 1, 15, & 22

August 5 & 12