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Mercy

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MERCY
The term mercy describes both character and actions that transpire as a result of that character. From the theological view point the characteristic of mercy is rooted in God and experience in the relation to God. In the Bible the word mercy can mean loving kindness, to be merciful and to have compassion.
“Where mercy, love, and pity dwell, there God is dwelling too.” William Blake

In the Old Testament there are two Hebrew words for mercy. First there is the word hesed, which means “steadfast love, covenant love”. According to the Catholic Biblical scholar John L. Mckenzie, the word hesed is used in connection with other words…such as hesed-emet (steadfast, dependable love), hesed-sedekah (righteous, holy love), and hesed-yesua (rescuing, saving love).” In the Old Testament the word hesed is used in connection with covenant that God established with Israel. This covenant was, on God’s part, a gift of and grace for Israel. God showed his loving kindness to Israel, his covenant people. No matter the continual rebelliousness of Israel God showed mercy to Israel. For this reason the meaning of the word mercy includes forgiveness as a main element in God’s determined faithfulness to his part of the covenant he had with Israel. “For the Lord thy God is a merciful God; he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them” (Deuteronomy 4:31).

In the New Testament the Greek word for mercy is eleos. This translates to loving kindness and tender compassion. It refers to the merciful love of God that he will pour out upon his children. In the new covenant the mercy of God is seen in the death of Jesus Christ. Jesus’s death demonstrates the divine mercy of God that makes it possible for the forgiveness of sins. “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love where with he loved us.

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