The Depth of Mercy by MRS. LUCY WELCH

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Dec 15, 1910

The Depth of Mercy

By MRS. LUCY WELCH

MRS. LUCY WELCH

In giving the law the Lord not only tells who is speaking, but he tells also his relation to those addressed. He says: “I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.” He appeals to their gratitude: he brought them out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

That law was not spoken for ancient Israel alone. Every word is spoken to us as well. The Lord says to you and to me, “I have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.” What is symbolized here by Egypt?—We all know that Egypt represents sin, and well do we remember our bondage to sin. With the apostle Paul we have cried, “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” But, thank God, we found a Deliverer. The Lord says, “I have brought thee out of . . . bondage.” How closely does he unite the law and the gospel! In giving the law he first calls attention to the gospel,—the bringing out of bondage. Not by our own works, not by keeping the law, but by accepting the provisions of the gospel, did we find peace with God.

Let us notice what the Lord says a little farther on in that same law: “I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.” He is speaking to his own people,—to those whom he has delivered from the bondage of sin. In thus speaking of his manner of dealing with the human race, he mentions two classes,—those who do iniquity, and those who keep his commandments; those who hate him, and those who love him. But who are those who love him and keep his commandments? “All have sinned.” “There is none that doeth good, no, not one.” Yet we find that not all are under condemnation. Of some the Lord says that they love him and keep his commandments. The righteousness of Christ has been imputed unto them, and the law witnesses to that righteousness. Those who had been transgressors of the law are now counted as loving God and keeping his law.

Upon whom does he visit iniquity?—Upon the children of those who hate him and do iniquity. Unto whom does he show mercy?—Unto the children of those who love him and keep his commandments. Notice closely; he visits iniquity unto the third and fourth generation; he shows mercy unto thousands of generations. O, the goodness of God! Did he visit but iniquity, the earth had long ago been without an inhabitant. What greater incentive to holy living could God give to man? It is not great intellect, it is not great physical strength, it is not vast possessions; the promise is to him who loves God and keeps his commandments. He it is who most blesses mankind. Man can not know, he can not measure, the influence of one godly soul. But the Lord knows, and that soul will not lose its reward.

Again, in the fifth commandment we find a recognition of the gospel and its work for man. Here we are commanded to honor our parents, that our days may be long in the land which the Lord our God gives us. What land has God promised us? If we read the Bible carefully, we shall see that even to Israel it was not simply the earthly Canaan that God promised. In the book of Hebrews we are told that anciently God's people sought “a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for he hath prepared for them a city.” In Romans we learn that to Abraham and his seed was promised the whole earth; and the apostle says that if we are Christ's, we are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

O, the goodness and mercy of God! The transgressor of his law may be pardoned, and, through the grace of Christ, be recognized by that law as loving God and keeping his commandments, and as being heirs of the heavenly Canaan.

Takoma Park, D. C.