Mercy

Exodus 21:15 And he that smiteth his father, or his mother, shall be surely put to death.

   Long ago I was at a county fair. My very young son was with me. There was a booth manned by a missionary church. I engaged them in a conversation about the law. Immediately they let me know that "the law was done away in Jesus."  To point out how bad the law was they said, "Do you know a man could be executed for picking up sticks on the sabbath, and (looking at my little son) and a child could be executed for hitting his father. What do you think about that little guy? 

   My son said. "That's right and I agree with God."

   I was so proud of my little boy. Why? Because my son understood; Matthew 12:7 But if ye had known what [this] meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless, which is a quote of Hosea 6:6 For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.

   To explain:

Matthew 5:25-26 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. 26 Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.

   It is God's will that we settle problems among ourselves and not have to get the police involved and not to go to court. When a child misbehaves, the father gives loving instruction and guidance. (The knowledge of God -Mercy) He settles the matter privately. 

Hosea 6:6 For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.

   Have you heard then saying often spoken in anger, "You'll burn for this!"

   But if an older son beats up on his parent requiring police intervention, following an arrest, a judge might not be so merciful and would be authorized to impose even the death penalty. 

Matthew 1:18-19: Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just [man], and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.

   If Joseph had taken Mary to court, she might have been executed since the penalty for adultery was death by stoning. Joseph chose   mercy, and not sacrifice.

A Pharisee is one who is easy on himself but does not show mercy to others.

1. Matthew 12:1-7 At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat.
2. But when the Pharisees saw [it], they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day.
3. But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him;
4. How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests?
5. Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless?
6. But I say unto you, That in this place is [one] greater than the temple.
7. But if ye had known what [this] meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.

Kidnapping

16. Exodus 21:16-20 And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death.
17. And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death.
18. And if men strive together, and one smite another with a stone, or with [his] fist, and he die not, but keepeth [his] bed:
19. If he rise again, and walk abroad upon his staff, then shall he that smote [him] be quit: only he shall pay [for] the loss of his time, and shall cause [him] to be thoroughly healed.
20. And if a man smite his servant, or his maid, with a rod, and he die under his hand; he shall be surely punished.
21. Notwithstanding, if he continue a day or two, he shall not be punished: for he [is] his money

Joke

"Your house is on fire", shouted a passing motorist to a thick-bearded mountaineer.

"Ah knows it stranger," nodded the mountaineer.

"Then why aren't you doing something about it?" cried the stranger.

"Ah em." drawled the mountaineer. "Ever since the fire started ah bin praying' for rain."

Home page.

First page in this series.

 Previous question.

Question 41: What is the judgment for kidnapping?