Let's see what Micah thinks… Because I have sinned against him, I will bear the LORD's wrath… Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy."
(Micah 7:9 & 18)
Many Old Testament prophetic themes foreshadow Christ's work on the cross, and the frequent juxtaposition of justice (wrath) and mercy is an excellent example.
God, in justice, demands that the penalty of death be imposed upon all who break His law. Yet God, in mercy, pardons those same lawbreakers and offers them eternal life. Did justice throw the fight… take a dive… forget to show up? By no means!
Micah's contemporary, Isaiah, specifically foretold the solution to the justice/mercy dilemma: "He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows… He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed" (Isaiah 53:4-5).
Eight-hundred years later, the Apostle Peter confirmed the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy when he said, "He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree… by His wounds you have been healed" (1 Peter 2:24).
The reason God did not simply wipe out Israel centuries ago is the same reason He does not simply wipe us out today. The Messiah was coming/has come and would pay/has paid the price for all their/our sin! God's justice would be/has been satisfied and His mercy could be/can be granted to them/us.
Praise God that, because of His divine perfection and plan, justice and mercy can coexist. Now if we can just figure out how to help New York & Boston get along!
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