Proverbs 11:17, The Quality of Mercy
May 15, Proverbs 11:17
Psalm 103; Luke 6:36-38 “Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy” (Matt 5:7).
The Quality of Mercy
God is a God of Mercy! This word (chesed) is almost beyond man to fully express. In Young’s Concordance you see something of its scope. It soars to heights well nigh unreachable, as it describes God’s dealings with mankind.
1. Soul-Blessing: The merciful man doeth good to his own soul (17a). Mercy to sufferers is the desire to help: mercy to offenders is the resolve to forgive. The two are infinitely united in God, and are redemptively united in the saved. God requires it of his children God requires it of His children because it is the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22). Mercy to man will find mercy in God. This is a God-implanted principle that works out in relationships, in character (Isa. 58:10-11), and in human destiny (Jas. 2:12-18). Both getter and giver receive, but the giver has the larger share (Acts 20:35).
2. Soul-Blighting: He that is cruel troubleth his own flesh (17b). The cruel man cares only for his own skin and kin, which trying to save, he loses. He is his own curse; he creates his own hell for his soul, his life, and blights his posterity (12:10; Jer. 6:23)! He shall have judgment without mercy, that shewed no mercy (Jas. 2:13). Deeds do affect the doer most for good or ill (11:29, 12:20)! Shakespeare dramatised its meaning well, did he not? He knew the Bible and read human nature from its pages. Who, that has read or heard The Merchant of Venice, will ever forget Portia’s appeal to Shylock?
The quality of mercy is not strain’d, it droppeth as the gentle rain from
Heaven upon the earth beneath: It is twice bless’d;
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes; ’tis mightiest in the
mightiest;
It becomes the throned monarch better than his crown…
But mercy is above this sceptered sway, it is enthroned in the hearts of
kings, It is an attribute of God himself, and earthly power doth then
show
Likest God’s–when mercy season justice.
Therefore, Jew, though justice be thy plea, consider this, –
That in the course of justice none of us should see salvation:
We do pray for mercy, and that same prayer doth teach us all to render
The deeds of mercy.
A little later Shylock cries: “My deeds upon my head! I crave the law.”
3. Soul-Blossoming: Portia had it right. Would you stand with Shylock at the Judgment and demand justice? This is to invite eternal misery, and God is no respecter of persons, Jew, or Gentile. Toplady wrote: “A debtor to mercy alone, of Covenant mercy I sing; nor fear with Thy righteous on, my person and offering to bring.” At Peniel, crafty Jacob could only cry, in his dread, I am not worthy of the least of all thy mercies which thou hast shewed unto thy servant (Gn. 32:10). The publican, beating his breast, cried, God be merciful to me a sinner (Lu. 18:13). Mercy rejoices against judgment.
Thought: “God gives his anger by weight but his mercy without measure” (Anon).
Prayer: Lord, that I might give and forgive as Thou hast me.