The Why of Mercy

We all, I hope, have been the recipients of mercy at some time or other,  moments in our lives when the axe should have fallen, but it did not.  This may have been because our error or transgression went unnoticed.  Or it may have been that the judge in the circumstance showed clemency.

There are a lot of reasons why a magistrate might exhibit leniency.  Perhaps we are first-time offenders. Or maybe there were "extenuating circumstances" which led to our poor decision or behavior.  Sometimes we experience mercy because we demonstrate real contrition.  (I say "real" contrition to contrast it with dramatic emotional displays intended to evoke sympathy.  Real contrition is not about the amplitude of our wailing but our change in behavior: "Bear fruit in keeping with repentance.")

I was reading Exodus 32 this week, the story of Aaron and the Israelites making a golden calf to worship because Moses is delayed on the mountain with God.  The story has a number of details which are so illustrative of our response to criticism or judgment as to be almost amusing.  Take, for example, Aaron's response to Moses' question, "What did this people do to you that you have brought such a great sin on them?"   

And Aaron said, “Let not the anger of my lord burn hot. You know the people, that they are set on evil. For they said to me, ‘Make us gods who shall go before us. As for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.’ So I said to them, ‘Let any who have gold take it off.’ So they gave it to me, and I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf.”  (Exodus 32:22-24 ESV)

In spite of the fact that I was left in charge and was intimately involved in this enterprise, I really had nothing to do with it.  These people, I mean, what can you do with them?  I did ask for their earrings and melted them -- nothing wrong in that. And out came this calf.

It's the "out came this calf" bit that gets me.  I suppose that there is some infinitesimal chance that a bunch of metal thrown into a fire  might melt and take the form of a calf, spontaneously, by itself, if the laws of physics were entirely different.  (I'm no smelter but I think molten metal left on its own tends to form a roundish puddle rather unlike a young bovine.)  But even given this chance, Aaron is busted as obviously someone noticed that he "fashioned it with a graving tool and made a golden calf." (v. 4)

It is either a) someone else's fault -- see the blame fest in Genesis 3 -- or b) something that just "happened" or c) both of the above.  These are attempts by us (and we are all like Aaron) to avoid the responsibility.  I have noticed even in conversation that we often say things like "I ended up going to a movie" or "ended up driving to Tijuana" or "ended up drinking 14 bottles of wine."  (All these are merely examples and I myself have never driven to Tijuana or consumed so much wine -- unless you are counting this last one over a lifetime.)  I have not "ended up" doing anything.  Ridiculous.  I have made decisions to do x, y or z. 

But this was about mercy.  God, in Exodus 32, warns Moses that the people have "erred and strayed from his ways" before Moses even goes down the mountain.  Before he even views the scene Moses pleads the clemency or mercy of God.  And God grants it.

Now what are Moses' arguments?  "Lord, they are first time offenders.  I'm sure it's just a phase they are going through.  Have a heart and give them another chance."  Not exactly.  Did he say, "It's been a rough go for them since leaving Egypt.  They've been hungry and thirsty.  Tired as well.  You know the silly things people do when they are sleep-deprived.  Surely these are extenuating circumstances."  No, not that either.  What about, "No disrespect intended God, but you did rather go on and on these past 40 days here on the mountain.  You can't expect them to wait forever for a religious festival, or drinking party or whatever it is.  You could have written these tablets a little quicker.  Surely that should be part of your consideration."  Definitely not.

Moses' appeal for mercy on behalf of the people is not about the people at all.  Not one little bit.  It is about the Name of God and his character.  Here is the "legal" argument before the judge:

But Moses implored the LORD his God and said, “O LORD, why does your wrath burn hot against your people, whom you have brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand? Why should the Egyptians say, ‘With evil intent did he bring them out, to kill them in the mountains and to consume them from the face of the earth?' Turn from your burning anger and relent from this disaster against your people. Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, your servants, to whom you swore by your own self, and said to them, ‘I will multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have promised I will give to your offspring, and they shall inherit it forever.’”

(Exodus 32:11-13 ESV)

No mention of the trials and tribulations of the Israelites, their honest mistake or understandable impatience.  

God be merciful that your name may be honored and that you manifest your character and faithfulness.

1.  God do not wipe this people out because the Egyptians will speak ill of your name.  For Moses the first concern is that God's name be honored.  It is one of our first concerns or at least it is our first petition when we say the Lord's prayer, "hallowed be thy name."  

2.  God remember your promise to our forefathers.  You are true to your promise.  That is who you are. 

Moses' cry to God for mercy for the people is for the honor of his Name.  As is always the case, the Biblical narrative we read is actually about God and not the Israelites, or us, or our comfort or even our sins.

Why is God merciful here (or anywhere)?  Because it is his nature and character and for the honor of his Name.  Honor and glory and might and blessing be unto his Name now and evermore.