God According to God

compassionate gracious slow to anger abounding in love and faithfulness maintaining love to thousands forgiving wickedness rebellion and sin does not leave the guilty unpunished

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A Study of Exodus 34:6-7

God’s Judgement and Justice

• Nahum 1:1-15
• God is in control
• God knows what is going on
• 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. Matthew 5:43-45

Compassion

The Stanford Prison Experiment (1971)

• https://youtu.be/3XN2X72jrFk?si=blzUwX83Ap2taIWA
• The experiment aimed to investigate whether individuals' behavior in a prison setting was determined by their personalities or by the situational context.
• The experiment showed that the guards quickly became authoritarian and abusive, while the prisoners became passive and distressed, even though they were ordinary college students.
• The study highlighted the power of social roles and situational factors in shaping human behavior, influencing discussions about prison reform and the abuse of power.

Compassion

• Why do you think those selected as guards acted like this?
• Do you think our natural instincts are to shun compassion and act harshly?

Class Agenda

• So far, we have looked at verses that repeat those qualities found in Exodus 34:6-7.
• Verses that repeat word for word or at least some of the elements present
• Compassionate (merciful) and gracious
• Slow to anger
• Abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands
• Forgiving
• Punishing the guilty

Compassion (mercy) in the Old Testament

Parent - Child

• 13 As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him. Psalms 103:13
• 15 “Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. Isaiah 49:15

Compassion on “all he has made”

• 9 The LORD is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made. Psalms 145:9
• Do we have compassion on all? Or are we selective?

Zechariah 10:6

• 6 “I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph. I will bring them back because I have compassion on them, and they shall be as though I had not rejected them, for I am the LORD their God and I will answer them.
• What are the actions that will result from God’s compassion?
• I will strengthen the house of Judah
• I will save the house of Joseph
• I will bring them back

What does this tell us about compassion?

• How does compassion compare to sympathy?
• Compassion is not just a feeling of sympathy/empathy for someone.
• It is accompanied by action – often, undeserved action.

Translated as “mercy”

• “…may God almighty grant you mercy” (Gen 43:14)
• “I will return to Jerusalem with mercy” (Zech 1:16)
• Do we see a trend with mercy and compassion? HINT: Can we have mercy or compassion on God?
• We see feelings of a more powerful entity towards a less powerful one.

Stanford Prison Experiment

• When the “guards” were given power (artificial), their compassion seemed to disappear
• Bible says compassion is specifically manifested from “powerful” people to less powerful people
• When we realize mercy is the same word, it makes more sense as a weak person can’t show mercy toward a strong one.
• Not about physical strength but about positions of power or control
• How does this compare/contrast with how we might typically use the word compassion?

Compassion in the New Testament

Jesus’ Compassion

• 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Matthew 9:36
• 32 Then Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion on the crowd because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat. And I am unwilling to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way.” Matthew 15:32

Prodigal Son

• 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. Luke 15:20
• What kind of wrongs had this father endured from this wayward son?
• What emotions might we expect him to demonstrate instead of compassion?

Compassion and Comfort

• 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 2 Corinthians 1:3
• How are compassion and comfort related?
• After looking at the New Testament scriptures, how might our definition of compassion evolve?

Application

• 12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, Colossians 3:12
• Is this a list, or do these have something in common?
• What are some common circumstances we encounter where compassion would be especially helpful for us to show?
• Does showing compassion to someone imply endorsement of everything a person has done?
• In what relationships are you the dominant/powerful one? How should you show compassion in that relationship?

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Homework

• This week remember Paul’s words in Col 3:12 and clothe yourself with compassion. Consider who needs (not necessarily deserves) your compassion
• Word study on anger