INTRODUCTION
Outline.
2. That We Love Mercy
E. Remarks.
1. This is lesson 2, in the sermon-series entitled: "What doth God Require?" Micah was a contemporary of Isaiah, and both ministered in the Southern Kingdom (Judah). The name Micah means, "Who is like Jehovah?" The theme of Micah is: “To hear.” A recurring theme unto God's people: “The first of all commandments is to: Hear, O Israel; the Lord our God is one Lord...There are no other commandments greater than these,” Mark 12:29-31. Isaiah prophesied in the king's court; while, Micah humbly spoke unto the ordinary people. Micah, like Amos prophesied strongly against immorality, social injustices, and the oppression of the poor, by the rich and powerful. These seem to be similar sins that now plague our Nation, along with the Coronavirus, COVID-19. Micah was answering the question of the people: “Wherewith shall I come before the LORD?” Micah responded: “He hath showed thee, O man, what is good (righteous), and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” Micah 6:6-8. These are qualities of faith and obedience that God delights in His people. We will notice what God requires; and how, this Nation has: “fallen short of the glory of God,” Romans 3:23.
2. In this lesson, we will consider that God requires that: “we love mercy” and show compassion and goodwill unto all men. We are witnessing a time of sickness and death in America; none have seen, since the "flu pandemic of early 1900." What are missing during this pandemic are: love, mercy, and compassion for those that are sick and dying. This Nation has suffered the loss of over 120,000 people to the coronavirus; yet, not one religious leader has offered a prayer for this Nation. Instead of working together, we have an Administration thwarting the health and welfare of this Nation. The President is golfing, while the Nation is burying its dead in mass graves. There is no national policy, plan, or response to this terrible pandemic. Where is the mercy and compassion for the American people? Why don't our religious leaders speak out against what seems to be a terrible injustice to portions of America's population? Micah yet cries: “Who is a God like unto thee?” There is none so just as the King of Kings, and none so merciful, who pardons, “the remnant of His heritage.” And His: “hand is stretch out still to pardon and forgive Judah, and America of all her iniquities,” Isaiah 9:17. For if this Nation: "Should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after Him, and find Him, though he is not far from every one of us,” Acts 17:27; Isaiah 55:6-11. With this brief introduction, let’s consider the lesson 2, in this sermon-series: “that we love mercy.”
BODY OF LESSON
II THAT WE LOVE MERCY
A. Micah wrote: “Who is a God like unto thee that pardoneth iniquity and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? He retaineth not his anger forever, because he delighteth in mercy,” Micah 7:18. Jehovah is a God of mercy.
Micah states the second thing God requires is that we be lovers of mercy and kindness. Observe--
1. The word “mercy” in Heb., is checed or kheh'·sed, which means kindness; by implication (towards God) piety; or (subjectively) beauty:—favor, good deed (-liness, -ness), kindly, (loving-) kindness, merciful, mercy, or to show pity.
2. God is merciful to all. David wrote:
a. First, “But I am like a green olive tree in God's house: I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever,” Psalms 52:8.
b. Further, “But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation,” Psalms 13:5; Psalms 85:7.
c. Next, “Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy,” Psalms 33:18; Psalms 147:11.
d. Additionally, “The LORD is gracious and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works,” Psalms 145:8-9; Psalms 33:4.
e. Finally, “For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations,” Psalms 100:5.
3. Jesus, our merciful High Priest. Paul wrote:
a. First, “Wherefore in all things it behooved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people: for in that he hath suffered being tempted, he can succor them that are tempted,” Hebrews 2:17-18.
b. Further, “For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us, therefore, come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need,” Hebrews 4:14-16; Hebrews 5:1-2.
c. Finally, “And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercy seat; of which we cannot now speak particularly,” Hebrews 9:5.
1) Christ is our mercy seat. In Him, our sins are forgiven; and in our walk with Him, they are continually cleansed 2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 John 1:7-10; 1 John 2:1-2.
2) Christ is our Passover, 1 Corinthians 5:7.
3) Christ is our righteousness, 2 Corinthians 5:18-21.
4) Christ is our hope of glory, Colossians 1:27.
4. Christians must be merciful to all men. God requires that His people show mercy toward their brother and their neighbor.
a. Jesus said: “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy,” Matthew 5:7.
b. David wrote: “The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth,” Psalms 37:21.
c. Solomon wrote: “He that despiseth his neighbor sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he,” Proverbs 14:21.
d. Paul wrote: “He that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness,” Romans 12:8.
5. The unmerciful shall likewise be judgment. James wrote: “For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment,” James 2:13; James 3:17-18; James 5:10-11.
B. To love mercy. What God requires is that "we love mercy” and show compassion and goodwill unto all men. We are witnessing a time of sickness and death in America, which many have not seen since the "flu pandemic of early 1900." What is missing during this pandemic is mercy and compassion from our leaderships to all people, across the Nation.
1. This Nation has suffered the loss of over 140,000 people to the coronavirus; yet, not one religious leader has offered prayers for these families, or the Nation.
2. Instead of working together with governors, taking the lead for this pandemic, this President has demonstrated a "hands-off approach" to governing.
3. Is there a federal response to this pandemic? Is there currently in place a national response team? Where are they?
4. Religious leaders. Where are the voices of our religious leaders? Why are they so silent?
5. We expect the politicians to be silent during injustices. They are most likely a party to it and seeking to profit from it. They create laws and appoint men to exonerate them of the crimes they plan to commit upon the nation. But God will hold all leaders responsible. And judge them accordingly to their works. Notice--
a. David wrote:
1) First, “Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy: for thou renderest to every man according to his work,” Psalms 62:12.
2) Second, “Seeing thou hatest instruction, and castest my words behind thee. When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him, and hast been partaker with adulterers. Thou givest thy mouth to evil and thy tongue frameth deceit. Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest thine own mother's son. These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such (as) one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes,” Psalms 50:17-21. I will set thy house in order!
3) Finally, When the wicked no longer accept instruction; and castest the word of God behind their backs. When they see the thief stealing; and consent with him, they become partakers of their evil deeds. When the wicked speaketh lies, and frameth deceit, and speakest against his brother to slander him. They do it because they think everyone is like them and sanctions their actions. Observe--
a) One, “These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such (as) one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes,” Psalms 50:21; Zephaniah 3:5.
2) Second, “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.” Proverbs 15:3; Proverbs 5:21; Job 34:21-22.
a) Nothing hid from Him, “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do,” Hebrews 4:13; Job 26:6; Psalms 139:11-12.
b) An all-seeing eye: “Can any hide (them) self in secret places that I shall not see him? Saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? Saith the LORD,” Jeremiah 23:24; Psalms 44:21; Jeremiah 16:17.
3) Third, “Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in (times of) famine,” Psalms 33:18; Psalms 147:11; Psalms 13:5.
b. Solomon wrote:
1) First, “Many will entreat the favor of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts,” Proverbs 19:6; Amos 5:12.
2) Further, “Many seek the ruler's favor; but every man's judgment cometh from the LORD,” Proverbs 29:26.
3) Finally, “An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is (an) abomination to the wicked,” Proverbs 29:27; Psalms 26:9-12.
4) Interpretation. Many will seek favors from the rich and powerful because they gave gifts to them. They return favors unto them for money, prestige, and power. They will ask favors of the Congress, the Courts, and the President: but every man's judgment cometh from the Lord. But, the unjust man is an abomination to the just. And the upright man and his walk is an abomination to the wicked. There is a conflict between "good and evil" just as in Jeremiah and Micah's times. But God shall judge all men according to the “fruit of his doings,” Jeremiah 32:19.
c. Hosea wrote: “They make the king glad about their wickedness, and the princes with their lies,” Hosea 7:3; Mark 14:10-11.
d. Paul wrote:
1) All shall be judged: “In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel,” Romans 2:16; Romans 14:10-12; 2 Corinthians 5:10-11.
2) All that worketh wickedness and unrighteousness, Romans 1:28-31. None is righteous, no, not one, Romans 3:10. There is none without sin in their lives, Romans 3:23; Proverbs 20:9. He continued--
3) “Who knowing the judgment of God:”
a) First, “That they which commit such things are worthy of death.”
b) Further, “That not only those who do the same.”
c) Next, “But, those who have pleasure in them that do them,” Romans 1:32.
d) Finally, “Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord: For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light,” Ephesians 5:10-13; Hosea 6:5.
4) The judgment of God according to the truth: "Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things,” Romans 2:1-3; Hebrews 9:27.
5) Some might be asking: “Who are you to judge other religious leaders?” I humbly reply unto these in this fashion: “I judge you not; but, I am:”
a) A fruit inspector. I am merely observing your fruit. Even as the Master warned!
b) Jesus said: “Beware of false prophets that come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits...Even so, every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but, a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit...wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them,” Matthew 7:15-20; 2 Peter 2:1-3.
c) Jesus again: “For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. For every tree is known by (its) own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather them grapes. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh,” Luke 6:43-45.
d) James wrote: “Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? Either (from) a vine, bear figs? So can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh,” James 3:12.
e. Interpretation. All that sins and do iniquities shall give an account of themselves unto God. All men sin; and, are worthy of death. And those that have any company with, are complicit in or have pleasure in them that do wickedness, shall also be judged in like manner, when God judgest the secrets of all men's hearts. The people Micah are describing in preaching, are not men of integrity, honesty, just in their dealings, they are incapable of showing mercy to anyone.
1) Therefore, their judgment before God will be without mercy.
2) Do not be deceived: “For whatsoever a man sow, that shall he also reap,” Galatians 6:7.
3) And there is: “No respect of persons with God,” Romans 2:11; Deuteronomy 10:17.
C. Givers of mercy. We must be givers of compassion; to be a recipient of kindness.
1. Jesus said: “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy,” Matthew 5:7.
2. What does God require? Micah answers: “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” Micah 6:8.
3. David wrote: “But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth,” Psalms 86:15; Psalms 100:5. David wrote much of God’s mercy unto all Israel; and the people of God.
4. Solomon wrote: "He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honor," Proverbs 21:21. The wise man wrote of a kind of mercy that is given unto all; and returned to them with God’s graciousness.
5. Paul wrote: "For as we have many members in one body and all members have not the same office... Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us. Whether prophecy...Or ministry...Or he that teacheth...Or he that exhorteth...He that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be without dissimulation...Be kindly affectionate one to another with brotherly love... continuing instant(ly) in prayer. Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality,” Romans 12:4-13; Hebrews 13:1-2.
D. Nation void of mercy. Micah spoke of the terrible injustice of his time. Amos wrote of a people void of mercy and kindness in their dealings with others. This lack of mercy and compassion was seen at all levels of their society. There is no difference today, of what we now see in this Nation. Observe--
1. The Trump administration has shown no mercy for the sick and dying across America from the Coronavirus, COVID-19 pandemic.
2. It has no National policy or plan for the response and recovery from this pandemic. If the Nation fails to plan; then, it plans to fail. There is no National Plan; therefore, the management of this pandemic has failed on a National and Global level.
3. No vision for the Nation’s recovery. Governors have been left to respond to this pandemic, without national leadership. Observe--
a. Solomon wrote: “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he,” Proverbs 29:18. Thousands are perishing because there is no vision, no plan for the nation’s protection, and no heart of mercy for the thousands perishing.
b. Hosea wrote: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children,” Hosea 4:6.
1) This President has rejected all guidance and cautions of the Nation's leading health officials in managing this pandemic.
2) In doing this, he has increased the death rates of vulnerable Americans across the Nation. The communities of "black and brown people" have been impacted the most from these avoidable blunders.
3) We are witnessing what a proud and arrogant heart will devise: evil and that continually.
4) Therefore, even Donald J. Trump shall give an account of his actions unto God.
5) The blood of many Americans has been poured out upon his hands.
4. A famine in the land. Amos wrote: “Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD: And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it,” Amos 8:11-12; 1 Samuel 3:1.
a. Not a famine for just bread. Not a thirst for just water.
b. But a thirst for hearing the words of the Lord.
c. We shall run to and fro, and shall not find it.
d. A word from the Lord.
5. A love for mercy. Where has America’s love for humanity gone? Where is the kindness and compassion for the families of those who have lost love ones in this pandemic?
a. Micah still cries: “Who is a God like unto thee?” There is none so just as the King of Kings, and none so merciful, who pardons, “the remnant of His heritage.” And His “hand is stretch out still,” to pardon and forgive Judah, and America for all her sins and iniquities, Isaiah 9:17.
b. Much of the suffering and hardship, we are presently enduring, we have brought upon ourselves, because of our sins, just like Israel and Judah.
c. But there was hope for Judah, even in their captivity and suffering. There is also hope for America? Our hope is in God!
1) Hope in God. David wrote: “For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children:...That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments: And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not steadfast with God,” Psalms 78:5-8; Psalms 146:5.
2) Hope not in men. David again: “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes,” Psalms 118:8-9; Psalms 146:3. We cannot put our hope or confidence in men, in princes, nor the President.
3) Once without hope. Paul wrote: “Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ,” Ephesians 2:11-13. This is a time to seek the Lord!
4) A nation of hope. Peter wrote: “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy,” 1 Peter 2:9-10. We, as a nation, must show mercy because we have received mercy from God.
d. Conclusion: Amidst these great evils, there was hope for the people Micah cried out for unto God. America, there is also hope for us. In times of trial, amidst the conflict of our faith, during this terrible pandemic, or in personal sufferings: our trust and confidence must be in God. Presidents will come and go; congresses will convene and adjourn: but God is ever with us.
1) Isaiah wrote of Him: “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness,” Isaiah 41:10; Hebrews 13:5-6.
2) Paul wrote: “What shall we then say to these things; if God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31; Psalms 124:8.
3) Put your hope and trust in God, Proverbs 3:5-10.
4) We, as a nation, shall get through this pandemic, with God's help and love.
E. Hope for God’s people. These are trying times in which we presently live. Micah spoke of hope and restoration to give assurance and comfort to God’s people. These people would be surely punished; but, God would not forever abandon them. He chose Micah, and sent him to preach hope to them in their time of trial. I speak of such now unto America in this lesson. Observe--
1. A remnant will return. Micah wrote: “Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she which travaileth hath brought forth: then the remnant of his brethren shall return unto the children of Israel,” Micah 5:3.
a. Jehovah did judge His people for their sins.
b. They were taken into captivity by Babylon, as He promised.
c. God will pardon His reserve, a remnant, to return to Jerusalem, Joel 3:1; Isaiah 1:9; Jeremiah 50:20. God’s elect, shall be carried safely through this storm.
d. Know this America, we to shall be judged; but, not abandoned. God’s righteousness requires that a rebellious and disobedient people be judged.
2. Ezekiel’s promised comfort: “For thus saith the Lord GOD:”
a. First, “How much more when I send my four sore judgments upon Jerusalem, the sword, and the famine, and the noisome beast, and the pestilence, to cut off from it man and beast?”
b. Further, “Yet, behold, therein shall be left a remnant that shall be brought forth, both sons and daughters: behold, they shall come forth unto you, and ye shall see their way and their doings: and ye shall be comforted concerning the evil that I have brought upon Jerusalem, even concerning all that I have brought upon it.”
c. Finally, “And they shall comfort you when ye see their ways and their doings: and ye shall know that I have not done (this) without cause, all that I have done (unto this people) in it, saith the Lord GOD,” Ezekiel 14:21-23.
d. Conclusion: Jehovah promises comfort to the prophet. What he now witnesses is terrible suffering and pain, Jehovah has brought upon them for their sins. Yet He promised them and Ezekiel hope, in the remnant he would raise from among them. In them shall Ezekiel find comfort when he sees them walk in the ways of the Lord: to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly before God.
3. Jeremiah’s promised return. Jehovah said: “And I will cause Judah's captivity and the captivity of Israel to return, and will build them, as at first," Jeremiah 33:7. Observe--
a. All these promises were fulfilled in the year of 597 BCE, by the King of Babylon.
b. A remnant was allowed to return to Jerusalem and rebuild in 520 BCE, by the King of Persia. Reference: Wikipedia, “Babylonian Captivity.”
c. Jehovah prepared a remnant of His people to return to Jerusalem.
d. This is due because Jehovah is a God of mercy, pardon, and restoration.
4. Amos wrote of their return: “And I will bring the captivity of my people of Israel again, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them, and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them,” Amos 9:14-15. I will plant them again upon their land, and they shall no more be pulled up. Jehovah shall return them, restore them, and sustain them!
5. Zephaniah wrote of the Lord’s visit: “And the coast shall be for the remnant of the house of Judah; they shall feed thereupon: in the houses of Ashkelon shall they lie down in the evening: for the LORD their God shall visit them, and turn away their captivity,” Zephaniah 2:7; Zephaniah 3:20.
6. Interpretation: Jehovah's wrath and punishment do not last forever. Micah wrote: "Who is a God like unto thee that pardoneth iniquity and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? He retaineth not his anger forever because he delighteth in mercy. He will turn again, and he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and, thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea. Thou wilt perform the truth to Jacob, and the mercy to Abraham, which thou hast sworn unto our fathers from the days of old,” Micah 7:18-20; Psalms 32:1; Acts 3:22-26; Romans 4:6-8. We will speak to this more at the end of the lesson.
NOTE: For a more exhaustive study of Israel’s captivity and return, see our lesson entitled: Does the Church Need a Revival? Download it from SermonCentral.com.
Now let’s consider our last point in this lesson, “to walk humbly before God.” As we move to a conclusion in this lesson. Let me make an appeal.
7. Appeal. Recall, Jehovah advised: Hear O, Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord. As with Israel and Judah, Jehovah is willing also to forgive our sins and iniquities. O, Lord, you know we have many. But Jehovah hath said: “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land,” 2 Chronicles 7:14; 1 Timothy 2:1-8.
1) Herein is our charge brothers: to cause the people to call upon the Lord, humble themselves, pray and seek His face, and turn away from all their wickedness, that God might hear them, forgive and heal our land from sickness and disease. Will you join in with me in this soul-stirring charge unto the church, its ministers, and its leaders and unto the entire Nation?
2) Before I close, it is burdened upon me to state, that not all police, politicians, and people are wicked and ungodly. There are much more dedicated ones than evil in our police departments throughout America and God-fearing politicians in Washington, D.C.
3) I do not want to obscure their faith, their work, and patronage to this beautiful country, that it should go unnoticed, and without our thanks. I honor these in the name of the Lord. I pray many more will rise and walk as these do, in the coming days ahead. I pray for you also to remain “on task,” to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly before our God. As I close, recall we discussed--
CONCLUSION
A. Outline.
1. That We Do Justly
2. That We Love Mercy
3. That We Walk Humbly
B. Summarize main points.
1. In this lesson, we considered what God required, was that “we love mercy" and shew compassion and goodwill unto all men. We are witnessing a time of sickness and death in America; none have seen, since the "flu pandemic of the early 1900s." What is missing during this pandemic is mercy and compassion for those that are sick and dying. This Nation has suffered the loss of over 140,000 people to the coronavirus; yet, not one religious leader has offered a prayer for this Nation. Instead of working together, we have an Administration that is thwarting the health and welfare of this Nation; for its gain.
2. The President is golfing, while the Nation is burying it dead in mass graves. There is no national policy, plan, or response to this terrible pandemic. Where is the mercy Micah spoke about in America? Why haven't our religious leaders spoken out against what seems to be a terrible injustice to some of America's population? Micah cries: "Who is a God like unto thee?" There is none so just as the King of Kings, and none so merciful, who pardons "the remnant of His heritage." But His "hand is stretch out still," to pardon and forgive Judah, of all her iniquities,” Isaiah 9:17.
C. Invitation. Present the pattern of conversion, H.B.R.C.B.
D. Exhortation.
E. Motivation.
References:
1. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible, Matthew Henry, Christian Classics Ethereal Library, Grand Rapids, MI, 1706.
2. The People's New Testament, by B. W. Johnson, Christian Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, MI, 1891.
3. The New Greek-English Interlinear New Testament; United Bible Societies,’ Fourth, Corrected Edition, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, IL, 1990.
4. Textus Receptus, taken from the Greek Text of Stephens 1550, The Englishman’s Greek New Testament, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, First Zondervan Printing, 1970.
5. Clarke Commentary on the Bible, Eight Volumes, Published 1810-1826, New York, Published by J. Emory and B. Waugh, for the Methodist Episcopal Church, at the conference office, 13 Crosby-Street., J. Collord, Printer, 1831.
6. Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, by W. E. Vine, Fleming H. Revell Company, Old Tappan, NJ, Copyright, 1981.
