6 For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings (Hosea 6:6).
This verse from Hosea is also quoted by Jesus in Matthew 9:13. God desires us to be merciful and to seek Him. In a nutshell, God doesn’t want superficial and ritualistic actions; He wants real and sincere devotion. Likewise, God desires that we treat others mercifully. The reason that mercy is so important to God, I think, is that in order for mercy to be carried out by us we must acknowledge our own weaknesses and faults. Mercy by us is an action toward those around us: an action that requires humility and love. When God asks us to be merciful, He is doing so because God’s mercy is given to us a gracious gift. God’s mercy, unlike our mercy, is carried out by a God with no weaknesses or faults. God is merciful by His gracious choice. Our response should be to seek God and be merciful to others.
This verse from Hosea is also quoted by Jesus in Matthew 9:13. God desires us to be merciful and to seek Him. In a nutshell, God doesn’t want superficial and ritualistic actions; He wants real and sincere devotion. Likewise, God desires that we treat others mercifully. The reason that mercy is so important to God, I think, is that in order for mercy to be carried out by us we must acknowledge our own weaknesses and faults. Mercy by us is an action toward those around us: an action that requires humility and love. When God asks us to be merciful, He is doing so because God’s mercy is given to us a gracious gift. God’s mercy, unlike our mercy, is carried out by a God with no weaknesses or faults. God is merciful by His gracious choice. Our response should be to seek God and be merciful to others.
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