The God Who is Mercy
Hosea 12:2-14, Genesis 32:24-30, Matthew 1:2-16
In this chapter of Hosea, the author tells the story of Jacob and how he was the start to the nation, Israel. We don’t see a noble man here in Jacob and when we read more into his story we don’t see a man worth following. I know I would think twice before following him, yet God used Jacob to bring forth a nation that would one day lead to Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world.
In this chapter I see two characteristics of God on display: His mercy and His justice. God is both merciful with Jacob as he literally wrestles with God. Jacob bought his inheritance through scheme and deceit. He wasn’t satisfied with the first wife given to him so he took another and then later two concubines. He unfairly favored a son over the others, but when God wrestled with him, God allowed Jacob to walk away unharmed except for a broken hip. Wrestling with God easily could have been a death sentence, yet God had mercy on Jacob.
God also reveals His justice in this chapter. The things of Ephriam will not go unseen or unpunished. Just like Jacob wrestling with God: yes God had mercy, but Jacob walked away with a limp. The chapter ends with a statement that God will “repay him for his disgraceful deeds.” This doesn’t sound very merciful, yet God is showing His mercy by bringing us justice to our sinful needs. He is the ultimate lawgiver. He is the judge of the world. James 2:13 quotes that “mercy triumphs over justice.” We don’t deserve an eternal relationship with God, but we have been given one through Christ. By His blood, our payment is met, and instead of eternal judgment, God’s mercy has brought us eternal life.
When we read the genealogy in Matthew 1, we get to be reminded of how God still used Jacob, even while he was a sinner. In fact, all of the people spoken of in the genealogy of Jesus were broken and sinful, just like us. Through each one of these people, God was paving the way for redemption to come to all people, and He does the same through us.
Reflect on what you rightfully deserve through judgment and what God has given you through His mercy.
Pray and ask God to use you and trust that your obedience can lead to generations of Jesus followers.
