Today’s devotion comes from 1 Kings 20:30-43.
“His servants said to him, “Behold now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful kings, please let us put sackcloth on our loins and ropes on our heads, and go out to the king of Israel; perhaps he will save your life.” So they girded sackcloth on their loins and put ropes on their heads, and came to the king of Israel and said, “Your servant Ben-hadad says, ‘Please let me live.’” And he said, “Is he still alive? He is my brother.” Now the men took this as an omen, and quickly catching his word said, “Your brother Ben-hadad.” Then he said, “Go, bring him.” Then Ben-hadad came out to him, and he took him up into the chariot. Ben-hadad said to him, “The cities which my father took from your father I will restore, and you shall make streets for yourself in Damascus, as my father made in Samaria.” Ahab said, “And I will let you go with this covenant.” So he made a covenant with him and let him go.
… He (the prophet) said to him (Ahab, the king of Israel), “Thus says the LORD, ‘Because you have let go out of your hand the man whom I had devoted to destruction, therefore your life shall go for his life, and your people for his people.’” So the king of Israel went to his house sullen and vexed, and came to Samaria.” 1 Kings 20:30-34 and 42-43.
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“Now Ben-hadad king of Aram gathered all his army, and there were thirty-two kings with him, and horses and chariots. And he went up and besieged Samaria and fought against it.” 1 Kings 20:1.
Today’s Scripture teaches us that it is important to know that even though both mercy a/k/a lovingkindness and justice are generally good, “there is a time and place for each”, so to speak.
We are not always allowed to show mercy a/k/a lovingkindness in every situation that we want, nor are we always allowed to show justice in every situation that we want. We are responsible to know according to God’s Word, the Bible, what the particular situation requires us to show, whether it be mercy a/k/a lovingkindness OR justice OR possibly both, sometimes known as equity.
In today’s Scripture, the particular situation of how to deal with Ben-hadad, king of Aram, who had waged war against Israel, required Ahab to NOT show mercy a/k/a lovingkindness to him. We read: “… Thus says the LORD, ‘Because you have let go out of your hand the man whom I had devoted to destruction, therefore your life shall go for his life, and your people for his people.” Verse 42.
We can understand the important of justice if we consider how we as citizens would feel if a judge opened the doors of every jail and prison in his jurisdiction and allowed the imprisoned criminals to go free. Yes, one could vainly argue that the judge was being good by showing mercy a/k/a lovingkindness, but no citizen would approve.
Or, what would we think of our own military, if our country was attacked and our military just stepped aside to let the enemy do what they wanted?
“Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.” Romans 13:1-4.
But, there is hope!
“6 For the LORD gives wisdom;
From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
7 He stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
He is a shield to those who walk in integrity,
8 Guarding the paths of justice,
And He preserves the way of His godly ones.
9 Then you will discern righteousness and justice
And equity and every good course.” Proverbs 2:6-9.
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go;
I will counsel you with My eye upon you.” Psalm 32:8.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 