I am convinced the journey of MERCY is an appropriate answer to the social unrest that we witness in our cities. Lawlessness is not an answer to lawlessness. I would argue for mercy because this journey begins in the hearts of humanity first. The etymology of mercy must begin with original languages. I begin with the Hebrew Old Testament. 

To understand meaning we must first understand the trajectory of a word. Where or to whom is it pointing us toward. I would draw attention to a noun form of mercy (re’hem) and a verbal form of mercy (re’hum). The noun form is used of a mother’s womb suggesting that God’s compassionate unfailing love is upon the formation of life and the gentle care of growth. The verbal form of mercy is “merciful” implying that you and I can be merciful after the order or illustration of God’s unfailing tender love for us. There are 13 occurrences of the verbal form (re’hum) in the Old Testament that shows a trajectory of how we are to follow God’s example. Here is a list of these references: Exodus 34:6; Deuteronomy 4:31; 2 Chronicles 30:9; Nehemiah 9:17, 9:31; Psalm 78:38, 86:15, 103:8, 111:4, 112:4, 145:8; Joel 2:13; Jonah 4:2. I would strongly suggest that you first write these verses out. Highlight the referencing of “merciful” and/or “compassionate.” Write out the action that is being done and/or the action being asked of us to perform. Use your responses as a prayer model between you and God.

History has demonstrated lawlessness is never an appropriate solution to lawlessness. It is however a vicious revolving door that leads to no-where. If we are serious about a response to slavery and the injustices that occurred coupled with the injustices of other ethnicities, we must begin with our heart first. Embrace God’s illustration of MERCY first in order to know what our response should be toward others. August 2019 marked the 400^th anniversary of enslavement in American history. Progress has been made, yet it feels a thousand miles away from us yet. What if 2020 became a year marked by mercy? It begins in my heart. The next step of the journey of mercy is the HOME!

¹⁰ And as Jesus² reclined at table in the house, behold, many ^gtax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. ¹¹ And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, ^h“Why does your teacher eat with ^gtax collectors and sinners?” ¹² But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. ¹³ Go and learn ⁱwhat this means: ^j ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For ^kI came not to call the righteous, ^lbut sinners.” ^[1]

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² Greek he

^g ch. 11:19; See ch. 5:46

^h [Luke 15:2]

^g [See ver. 10 above]

ⁱ ch. 12:7

^k [Luke 15:7; John 9:39]

^l 1 Tim. 1:15

^[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Mt 9:10–13). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.