Year of the Bible: Part Eight of TwelveÀpẹrẹ

Justice or Mercy?

“The Day of the Lord” is a New Testament expression for the second coming of Jesus and an Old Testament description of Jesus’s coming visitation and execution of justice and punishment for sin.

God declared through Obadiah that one manifestation of His kingdom would be Edom receiving justice. Edom had not attacked Israel, but when the Babylonians were crushing Israel, the Edomites (distant relatives of God’s people) cruelly took advantage of those fleeing the war. The specific message to Edom was that it would get exactly what it deserved.

While we like to hear about God’s mercy, the Bible says that truth and justice are the foundation of His throne. God is merciful, but He will not tolerate sin forever. His judgment of individuals or nations will not be based on an emotional desire for vengeance but on perfect justice. More than He wants to punish sin, He wants to redeem those who turn to Him. Love is firmly behind every one of God’s judgments, illustrated by the cross, where Jesus took justice upon Himself so we could be forgiven.

Not only will the wicked receive their just punishment, but the righteous will also know God’s help. God promised through Obadiah that His people would be holy—separated to belong to God.

God also promised a day when the nation would be restored. Like Israel, no matter what choices we’ve made in the past, we can always turn back to God. As for the wickedness in our world, God will bring justice, but we are to extend His mercy.

Question: When you see injustice, do you fret with frustration, get angry, begin to intercede, or cry for forgiveness for those being unjust?

Prayer: Ask God to help you trust Him to deal with the wicked, for the courage to walk uprightly in this age, and for boldness to reach out to those not yet following Jesus.