God’s Divine Mercy (In the Bible)
„Blessed are the merciful for they will be shown mercy.“ (Mt 5, 7). The merciful are already experiencing the life of God Himself.
In the Greek language in which the New Testament is written, mercy is expressed by the word eleos. This word is recognized in the prayer of Kyrie eleison, which appeals to the mercy of the Lord. In the Hebrew translation instead of eleos, the Hebrew word hesed is usually translated. This is one of the most beautiful words in the Bible. It is usually translated simply as love.
Hesed – mercy or love – is used in reference to the covenant. On the part of God, He signifies the strong love of God, able to maintain communion at all times, no matter what happens: “My love shall never depart from thee” (Isaiah 54:10). However, since God’s covenant with his people is accompanied by a history of severance and renewal from the beginning (Exodus 32-34), it is quite clear that such unconditional love implies forgiveness; it can be nothing but mercy.
The word eleos translates into another Hebrew word, rahamim. Literally, the word means to be born; the plural form of rehem, – mother’s womb. Mercy, or compassion, in this context being alluded to as experienced love: the deep love of a mother to her little one (Isa. 49:15), the tenderness of a father to his son (Ps 103:13), the strong brotherly love (Gen. 43:30).
Mercy, in the biblical sense, is encompassing much more than one aspect of God’s love. Mercy is like the very essence of God :. “I am a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger, full of kindness and faithfulness” (Exodus 34: 6).
The Mercy of God Mercy is transcendent, through it God creates a personal relationship with each person. God seeks to save mankind by saving us through the life, conversion, repentance and reconciliation of each of us. It is like a bridge connecting the heavenly and invisible to the earthly material and the constant struggle for survival. God is the eternal, powerful, and inexhaustible source of the human mind, who created the universe, the abundant and harmonious universe. PS8 “Thou hast covered the heavens with thy majesty.” (Ps 8).
Therefore, I would like to continue and ask:
5 Who is this man that ye remember?
who is this mortal that you care for?
6 Thou hast made it a little lower than thyself.
crowned with honor and majesty.
7 Thou makest him a master of the work of thy hands:
you put everything at his feet …
Kas tas žmogus, kad jį atmeni, kas tas mirtingasis, kad juo rūpiniesi?
Tu padarei jį tik truputį žemesnį už save, apvainikavai garbe ir didybe. Tu padarei jį savo rankų darbų šeimininku, padėjai visa prie jo kojų… (Ps 8, 5-7)
In the absence of that initial close relationship with God, the descendants of man became more and more engulfed in destruction until the cup of God’s patience was overflowing and pouring out into the great flood, saving only the lives residing in Noah’s Ark. In this way the order was restored and man was again given space to live on earth. It was a new beginning and a new opportunity. The destruction of the tower of Babel, and the dispersal of the people in different tongues, followed said event. Inability to communicate is the result of pride, the desire to be equal to God, and the desire to rule oneself. With the help of Abraham, Abraham gathered humanity into one family. The Blessing bestowed upon Abraham becomes a blessing to all the chosen people: “All the tribes of the earth shall find in you a blessing” (Gen. 12: 3; 18,18; 22,18; 14). God does not forsake His creation, does not forsake humanity, and hears the complaint of an oppressed nation. God reveals himself to Moses in the burning bush “I am who I am” (Gen 3:14). God goes with His people and accompanies them on the path of history. He is the one who frees the Isrealites from slavery. God’s mercy is sovereign, it does not seek to earn for itself either love or honor. He is full of fullness and glory, Love in fullness and glory, generous to His callers. (2 Tim 2:13) “If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself” (2 Tim 2:13). I am a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger, and of great kindness and faithfulness “(Exodus 33:19). These verses- are the definition of the essence of God. This is repeated in the Old Testament, especially in the Psalms (Deut 4:31, Ps 86: 15; 103; 8; 116.5; 145.8). The pinnacle of the Old Testament manifestation of God’s mercy is found by the prophet Isaiah. The nation ultimately broke the covenant and angered God. Therefore, God severed ties with His unfaithful nation, and decided no longer to show mercy. “Neither will I have pity on the house of Israel, nor forgive them: for ye are not my people, and I will not be your God” (Isaiah 1,6.9). But then a dramatic turn of events took place: “My heart doesn’t allow me to do that! My mercy is too strong for you ”(Isaiah 11: 8). The exaltation of God’s mercy and victory even before His righteousness does not manifest itself in just anger and punishment. “For I am God, and not man, the Holy One among you; I will not come in wrath (Isaiah 11: 9). The prophet Micaiah says, “His anger does not last forever, for he is pleased to be merciful” (Mch 7:18). God’s greatness is revealed through the ability to accept human weakness and sinfulness and to immerse oneself in itself and to re-cultivate, to nourish mankind for eternity, in which (Rev. 21: 4) – passed “” (Apr. 21: 4). Life on earth is a constant struggle. (Rom 8:22) “For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now” (Rom 8:22).
The mystery of God’s Mercy includes all the mysteries and events of mankind from the beginning of the Old Testament to the end of the New Testament. God in a relationship with man is always the one who first longs and shows Mercy. He sends his prophets, allowing the erring ones who have turned away and turned away from God to experience exile and trials, for they are the ones who turned away from God. This is thus so that the nation would begin to cry again and long for the nearness of their God.
In the New Testament, God is even more revealed, hearing about the three-person Being. God the Father glorifies the Son sent on a mission of salvation for mankind, and the Son glorifies his Father through the humble exercise of His will, the revelation of God in the human body, the proclamation of the Good News, miracles, physical and spiritual healings. The culmination of God’s mercy is at Calvary: (Jn 12:32) “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto myself” (Jn 12:32). Adoption is what the gospel offers us, because everyone (Mark 3:35) “” Whosoever doeth the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and my mother “(Mk 3:35).
The family of God, bound not by blood, but by faith and the fulfillment of the Great Commandment to “love one’s neighbor as oneself” – is the key to eternity. We recognize a neighbor in that (Lk 10:37) “He who has shown him mercy” (Lk 10:37), reflects the image of God meaning he is like God.
God’s Mercy: Mercy is the plan for the salvation and redemption of mankind. The Son of God, becoming a perfect sacrifice, turns the instrument of death and humiliation into the tree of life. The blood and water flowing from His side symbolize baptism, the universal communion of Christians, the unity of the Church in life and grace, and the blood, the sacrament of penance and reconciliation. The Holy Spirit is a witness and participant in all these things. It calls everyone by name and urges them to follow the path of faith, making suffering and sacrifice for Christ meaningful, giving gifts and a mission. “And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.
In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.”(Rev 22: 1-2).