Fairness and Mercy
Open Your Bible
Deuteronomy 25:1-19, Deuteronomy 26:1-19, Deuteronomy 27:1-8, Hebrews 10:11-23
BY Bailey Gillespie
Sometimes when we read a Scripture passage, there’s a line, or even a single word, that stands out in a new way. It may be a familiar verse, but this time the impression it makes on us is deeper. As we sit and reacquaint ourselves with old, familiar passages, the Spirit often draws our attention to a particular word or idea to dwell on. Even if we’re brand new to reading Scripture, the Spirit can still work in this way, drawing our attention to what God knows we’re in a place to receive.
This experience happened to me today, while reading Deuteronomy chapter 25. In verse 3, Moses makes this statement after explaining how the Israelites were to settle disputes among them: “He may be flogged with forty lashes, but no more.” The part that stood out to me was the phrase “but no more.”
Here, we see instructions for carrying out a justice system before God, where those who are judged guilty receive a punishment equal to the extent of their crime (v.2). This is fair. This is just. Yet—and this is what surprised me—even the guilty are shown mercy by not having to endure more than they can bear or that could cause a degrading experience.
But this civil law shows there’s a difference between punishment and abuse. The guilty still bear the image of God. Because of this, God instructs Moses and the Israelites to preserve their dignity by withholding what might kill or humiliate. Most beautiful of all, we see in this passage that even the consequences of sin can’t stop God’s mercy from breaking through.
If you’re like me, at this point you might ask, “But don’t God’s people endure more than they can handle every day?” It’s true that overwhelming things still happen to people in this broken, sideways world. But what Deuteronomy shows us is a model for treating others with behavior that’s aligned with the heart of God. If we do this, we honor the Lord and “walk in his ways” (Deuteronomy 26:17). When Moses urges the Israelites to obey God’s commands, he reassures them that in trust and obedience, “you will be a holy people to the LORD your God as he promised” (v.19).
56 thoughts on "Fairness and Mercy"
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How we need His commands to live our lives justly, fairly. How I was struck by now having two measures in my home. So I judge by more than one measure? How Scripture challenges us just when God know we need to be challenged!
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Lord I let go and I let you take control.
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For your sister in lawLord we thank you for being god you are a way maker a healer a miracle worker you are the great I am lord we honor you lord for you are holy lord we honor you lord for you are good we honor you lord for being God lord we ask that angels be dispatched on our behalf to cover us in all areas of our lives on today healing favor joy peace love prosperity is our portion and we declare and decree it is so no weapon formed against us shall not prosper lord cause you got us the devil is defeated and we are walking in the promises of you lord you are the covenant keeping god and you have never lost a case so victory is our portion it is done and it is so in Jesus name hallelujah!
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For your sister in law
Lord we thank you for being god you are a way maker a healer a miracle worker you are the great I am lord we honor you lord for you are holy lord we honor you lord for you are good we honor you lord for being God lord we ask that angels be dispatched on our behalf to cover us in all areas of our lives on today healing favor joy peace love prosperity is our portion and we declare and decree it is so no weapon formed against us shall not prosper lord cause you got us the devil is defeated and we are walking in the promises of you lord you are the covenant keeping god and you have never lost a case so victory is our portion it is done and it is so in Jesus name hallelujah! -
Today’s reading was so insightful in showing me where the saying “forgive and forget” possibly came from. In Hebrews 10.17-18 “ ‘I will never again remember their sins and lawless deeds.’ And when sins have been forgiven, there is no need to offer any more sacrifices.”
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❤️
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Is there a way to Venmo you some money for her?
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Oh my word, I cannot imagine. I’m praying for the little ones. Father God, I pray for these little children left behind. You are their father in heaven and on earth. Protect them in your warm and loving embrace. Comfort them in their small hearts. Hold their hand when they are alone. Please keep them all together as a family, and don’t let them be separated. If they must be, guide them back to each other. Please provide a safe place for them where they will be loved and cherished, as we know they are to you. They might not understand or fully process everything, so heal their scars, visible or invisible. Send your own children to minister to them in the way of relationships and family, that they would be surrounded by a body of people who reach out to care for them in tangible ways. And ultimately, bring them to yourself. Thank you for preserving them so far. Amen.
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