Examples of God's Mercy and Forgiveness in the Bible
The Bible presents God's mercy and forgiveness as fundamental aspects of His character, demonstrated through numerous acts and declarations. God's mercy is described as great, rich, manifold, plenteous, abundant, sure, everlasting, and tender [3]. It is new every morning, high as heaven, and fills the earth, extending over all His works [3].
One prominent example of God's mercy is found in the Old Testament with the nation of Israel. Despite their repeated rebellions and disobedience, God frequently turned away His anger and did not stir up His full wrath [5]. For instance, after the Israelites' sin in the wilderness, God revealed Himself to Moses as "merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth" [3]. The psalmist reflects on this, stating that God "being merciful, forgave iniquity, and didn’t destroy them" [5]. This long-suffering patience is a key aspect of God's mercy, particularly towards impenitent sinners [6]. The prophet Ezekiel also highlights God's willingness to spare sinners, attributing it to His everlasting covenant and long-suffering [9].
God's forgiveness is closely linked to His mercy. As Daniel 9:9 states, "To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses" [10]. The psalmist David, in Psalm 51, appeals to God's "lovingkindness" and "multitude of thy tender mercies" to "blot out my transgressions" [4]. This demonstrates a plea for forgiveness rooted in God's compassionate nature. The "goodness of God" is a perfection of His character, exercised towards His creatures, and when applied to the miseries of His creatures, it is called mercy, pity, and compassion [6].
The ultimate manifestation of God's mercy is seen in the sending of Christ [3]. Through Christ, God "vouchsafes forgiveness to us" [7]. The New Testament emphasizes that believers are to forgive others "even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you" (Ephesians 4:32) [7]. This divine forgiveness serves as the motive for believers to extend forgiveness to one another [1]. The concept of God's mercy and truth meeting together, and righteousness and peace kissing each other (Psalm 85:10), illustrates the harmonious way God's attributes work in His redemptive plan [2]. The unexpected grace and love of God, particularly as manifested in Christ, are seen as leading to true repentance [8].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Forgiveness of Injuries — Christ set an example of -- Lu 23:34. Commanded -- Mr 11:25; Ro 12:19. To be unlimited -- Mt 18:22; Lu 17:4. A characteristic of saints -- Ps 7:4. Motives to The mercy of God. -- Lu 6:36. Our need of forgiveness. -- Mr 11:25. God's forgiveness of us. -- Eph 4:32. Christ's forgiveness of us. -- Col 3:13. A glory to saints -- Pr 19:11. Should be accompanied by Forbearance. -- Col 3:13. Kindness. -- Ge 45:5-11; Ro 12:20. Blessing and prayer. -- Mt 5:44. Promises to -- Mt 6:14; Lu 6:37. No forgiveness without -- Mt 6:15; Jas 2:13. Illustrated --”
- Psalms “Mercy and truth meet together. Righteousness and peace have kissed each other. -- Psalms 85:10”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Mercy of God, The — Is part of his character -- Ex 34:6,7; Ps 62:12; Ne 9:17; Jon 4:2,10,11; 2Co 1:3. Described as Great. -- Nu 14:18; Isa 54:7. Rich. -- Eph 2:4. Manifold. -- Ne 9:27; La 3:32. Plenteous. -- Ps 86:5,15; 103:8. Abundant. -- 1Pe 1:3. Sure. -- Isa 55:3; Mic 7:20. Everlasting. -- 1Ch 16:34; Ps 89:28; 106:1; 107:1; 136:1-26. Tender. -- Ps 25:6; 103:4; Lu 1:78. New every morning. -- La 3:23. High as heaven. -- Ps 36:5; 103:11. Filling the earth. -- Ps 119:64. Over all his works. -- Ps 145:9. Is his delight -- Mic 7:18. Manifested In the sending of Christ. ”
- King James Version “[KJV] Psalms 51:1 — Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.”
- Psalms “But he, being merciful, forgave iniquity, and didn’t destroy them. Yes, many times he turned his anger away, and didn’t stir up all his wrath. -- Psalms 78:38”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Goodness of God — A perfection of his character which he exercises towards his creatures according to their various circumstances and relations (Ps. 145:8, 9; 103:8; 1 John 4:8). Viewed generally, it is benevolence; as exercised with respect to the miseries of his creatures it is mercy, pity, compassion, and in the case of impenitent sinners, long-suffering patience; as exercised in communicating favour on the unworthy it is grace. "Goodness and justice are the several aspects of one unchangeable, infinitely wise, and sovereign moral perfection. God is not sometimes ”
- Ephesians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 4:32: (Luk 7:42; Col 3:12). even as--God hath shown Himself "kind, tender-hearted, and forgiving to you"; it is but just that you in turn shall be so to your fellow men, who have not erred against you in the degree that you have erred against God (Mat 18:33). God for Christ's sake--rather as Greek, "God in Christ" (Co2 5:19). It is in Christ that God vouchsafes forgiveness to us. It cost God the death of His Son, as man, to forgive us. It costs us nothing to forgive our fellow man. hath forgiven--rather as Greek, "forgave you." God has, once for all”
- Ezekiel (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ezekiel 36:31: remember your . . . evil ways--with shame and loathing. The unexpected grace and love of God, manifested in Christ to Israel, shall melt the people into true repentance, which mere legal fear could not (Eze 16:61, Eze 16:63; Psa 130:4; Zac 12:10; compare Jer 33:8-9).”
- Ezekiel (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ezekiel 20:17: Nevertheless--How marvellous that God should spare such sinners! His everlasting covenant explains it, His long-suffering standing out in striking contrast to their rebellions (Psa 78:38; Jer 30:11).”
- Daniel (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Daniel 9:9: Mercies and forgivenesses - From God's goodness flow God's mercies; from his mercies, forgivenesses.”