Job interviews can be tricky. If you’re conducting the interview, you want to get a total picture of the candidate, but if you’re the candidate you might be tempted to present only your best features, even if the portrait you give is a bit one-sided.

Our modern-day understanding of God can also be one-sided. Portrayals of God that neglect His willingness and capacity to judge are misleading at best, and deceitful at worst. But as this passage reminds us, mercy is part of God’s character as well! Israel sinned by turning from God to worship idols and to live in a way that violated the Mosaic Law. As promised, God judged them. But as He also promised, His judgment was paired with mercy and designed to lead them to repentance.

Israel received judgment (v. 2), but eventually that time of punishment would come to an end, and Israel would experience God’s mercy. God promised they would return to the Promised Land after a time of exile. Even then, God’s mercies were not exhausted. Verses 3–5 looked forward to a time when God’s final kingdom will be established on the earth and “the glory of the Lord will be revealed” (v. 5) to everyone. In that day, Jesus will rule as King over a kingdom that will not end.

This combination of judgment and mercy are best exemplified in Christ who took the judgment we deserved. His sacrifice was an act of mercy for all who trust in Him. God ordained them both. It was His plan to judge, and it was His plan to show mercy. This is glorious!

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