Mercy for sinners; judgment for scoffers

Pastor Mark Jeske

The biblical book of 2 Chronicles is the account of the monarchy of the kingdom of Israel and, after the division, the southern kingdom of Judah. Its final chapter summarizes the sad end to what had begun so brilliantly with King David and Solomon: “The Lord, the God of their ancestors, sent word to them through his messengers again and again, because he had pity on his people and on his dwelling place. But they mocked God’s messengers, despised his words and scoffed at his prophets until the wrath of the Lord was aroused against his people and there was no remedy” (2 Chronicles 36:15,16). 

In these summary verses, as really throughout the book, we see God’s two-pronged strategy for his interactions with the human race: 1) mercy for sinners and 2) judgment for scoffers. His mercy is infinite, far greater than any of our sins or rebellions. But his wrath over being rejected is immense as well. God has great patience with our sins against his laws, but he absolutely will not allow his grace to be mocked. He was even willing to allow the Babylonians to destroy beautiful Jerusalem and his holy temple.

But even those terrible judgments had a plan of mercy behind them—in captivity in Babylon the Israelites repented of their sins. Second Chronicles ends with the hopeful announcement that the Jews were going to be allowed to return home.

God hasn’t changed. Through faith in Christ, you will experience mercy, not judgment.

Devotional used by permission of Time of Grace®. For more information, visit www.timeofgrace.org