Wisdom Principles - Mercy (#2)

For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. Hos 6:6

We are considering some of the principles of wisdom that God's word teaches. We started with the principle of mercy, a most important principle.

Was yesterday's verse difficult for you? Did the explanation appear a bit strained? Was the concept of doing justice and judgment being the same as mercy a stretch for you? Then praise the God of heaven for today's verse!

This verse explains Pro 21:3 perfectly. It shows directly that when choosing between the two, God expects mercy to trump sacrifice. It helps us see that the Good God considers mercy to be a major aspect of doing justice to others and of making proper decisions. It helps us understand God's priority when there are many different options. See Matthew 9:13 and Matthew 12:1-7 for further confirmation of the principle of mercy as taught by our Lord Jesus Christ.

This verse and its fit with Pro 21:3 also reminds us of what we have commented on earlier. Wisdom is not always easy to find. This one was relatively easy, just hooking up one other verse to Pro 21:3 for the proof. But see how necessary it was to do a little searching, a little digging of an appropriate cross reference to "seal the deal" and make sense of this item.

This is the kind of work that Pharisee literalists, confused Seventh Day Adventists and lazy 21st century "Christians" don't do. It is the kind of work that only disciplined, God loving, great men will do. Are you up to the task today?