Topical Bible: Mercy: Enjoined

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Definition and Context
Mercy, in the biblical sense, refers to the compassionate treatment of those in distress, especially when it is within one's power to punish or harm. It is a central theme throughout the Scriptures, reflecting God's character and His expectations for human conduct. The enjoinment of mercy is a divine command, urging believers to emulate God's merciful nature in their interactions with others.

Old Testament Foundations
The concept of mercy is deeply rooted in the Old Testament. The Hebrew word often translated as "mercy" is "chesed," which encompasses loving-kindness, steadfast love, and covenantal loyalty. In Micah 6:8, the prophet succinctly summarizes what God requires of His people: "He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" . Here, mercy is not merely an option but a divine requirement, integral to righteous living.

The Psalms frequently highlight God's mercy as a reason for praise and trust. Psalm 103:8 declares, "The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion" . This verse underscores the expectation that God's people should mirror His merciful nature.

New Testament Teachings
In the New Testament, mercy continues to be a vital aspect of Christian ethics. Jesus Christ, in His teachings and actions, exemplifies and enjoins mercy. In the Beatitudes, He states, "Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy" (Matthew 5:7). This beatitude not only promises divine favor to the merciful but also establishes mercy as a hallmark of true discipleship.

The parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) further illustrates the enjoinment of mercy. Jesus uses this account to redefine neighborly love, emphasizing that mercy transcends ethnic and social boundaries. The Samaritan's actions are commended as the embodiment of mercy, challenging believers to act likewise.

James, the brother of Jesus, reinforces this teaching in his epistle: "For judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment" (James 2:13). This admonition serves as a sobering reminder of the reciprocal nature of mercy in God's economy.

Theological Implications
The enjoinment of mercy is not merely a moral directive but a reflection of the transformative power of the Gospel. Believers are called to be merciful because they have received mercy from God through Christ. The Apostle Paul, in Ephesians 2:4-5, writes, "But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our trespasses. It is by grace you have been saved" . This passage highlights that God's mercy is foundational to salvation, and thus, believers are to extend the same mercy to others.

Practical Application
The enjoinment of mercy has practical implications for daily Christian living. It calls for forgiveness, compassion, and active assistance to those in need. In Matthew 25:35-40, Jesus identifies acts of mercy—feeding the hungry, welcoming strangers, clothing the naked, and visiting the sick and imprisoned—as service rendered unto Him. This teaching challenges believers to view acts of mercy as integral to their faith practice.

In summary, mercy is enjoined upon believers as a reflection of God's own merciful nature. It is a divine command that permeates both the Old and New Testaments, calling for a life marked by compassion, forgiveness, and love.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Kings 6:21-23
And the king of Israel said to Elisha, when he saw them, My father, shall I smite them? shall I smite them?
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Hosea 12:6
Therefore turn you to your God: keep mercy and judgment and wait on your God continually.
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Romans 12:20,21
Therefore if your enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing you shall heap coals of fire on his head.
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Colossians 3:12
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering;
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Library

The Testament of Zebulun Concerning Compassion and Mercy.
... 1. The record of Zebulun, which he enjoined his children in the hundred [129] and ...
I bid you to keep the commands of the Lord, and to show mercy upon your ...
/.../vi the testament of zebulun concerning.htm

Of Religion Towards God, and Mercy Towards Men; and of the ...
... But the former is called religion; the second is named mercy or kindness; [1146 ... On
which account God has enjoined that enmities are never to be contracted by us ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap x of religion towards god.htm

Of the Affections, and the Opinion of the Stoics Respecting Them ...
... If, therefore, mercy is a distinguished and excellent gift in man, and that is judged ...
were far distant from the good of man, who neither enjoined nor practised ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xiv of the affections and.htm

God Punishes Both in Wrath and in Mercy.
... Now the children of wrath God punishes in anger; whereas it is in mercy that He ... and
although they do not hesitate to do that which the Lord enjoined on the ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 25 god punishes both in.htm

That God is So Angry against Idolatry, that He Has Even Enjoined ...
... 5. That God is so angry against idolatry, that He has even enjoined those to be ... And
He will show thee mercy, and He will pity thee, and will multiply thee, if ...
//christianbookshelf.org/cyprian/the treatises of cyprian/5 that god is so.htm

Of the Kinds of Beneficence, and Works of Mercy.
... God has also enjoined, that if at any time we make a feast, we should invite ... recompense,
so that no action of our life should be without the exercise of mercy. ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xii of the kinds of.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xx. 30, About the Two Blind Men ...
... the death of the cross," the "two blind men cried out, Have mercy on us ... For they
who shall persevere in doing such things as Christ hath enjoined, and regard ...
/.../sermon xxxviii on the words.htm

Whether Sinners who are Going to be Baptized are Bound to Confess ...
... mercy." Now for this is a man baptized, that he may obtain mercy for his ... his sins,
and bind him to works of satisfaction, which should not be enjoined on the ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether sinners who are going.htm

Christ's Reprehension of the Pharisees Seeking a Sign his Censure ...
... alms, and all things shall be clean unto you." [4588] Even if another god could
have enjoined mercy, he could not have done so previous to his becoming known. ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter xxvii christs reprehension of the.htm

But Now, with a Heart Cured of that Wound...
... them to be, who wilt have mercy on whom Thou wilt have mercy; and wilt ... These things
she enjoined us not; but desired only to have her name commemorated at Thy ...
/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter xiii but now with.htm