Tuesday December 3rd, 2024 – Pleasant Grove Community Center – Burlington NC
Welcome to the Seventh Study in our series on Biblical Characters.
Today, we will explore Yahuah’s Grace and Mercy as active agents in His plan of salvation for humanity and how they can only be obtained through the shedding of blood. I know that some of you might be saying, hold on Pat, Grace and Mercy are gifts given freely and there is nothing we can do to earn them. You are exactly correct, but because they are freely given to us, does not mean that they did not come with a cost. This cost was paid by “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” (Revelation 13:8).
These divine attributes of Yahuah were introduced from the start—not by name but through action. They form the foundation of His redemptive plan, revealing His character and His eternal covenant with His chosen people.
The biblical concepts of grace and mercy are closely related, yet distinct. They both stem from Yahuah’s love and compassion, but they serve different purposes within His relationship with humanity. Understanding mercy as a subset of grace helps clarify their roles.
Biblical Definitions of Grace and Mercy
Grace (chen in Hebrew; charis in Greek) refers to unmerited favor—Yahuah’s generous gift of love, help, and blessings that humanity neither earns nor deserves. It is the foundation of His saving work.
Mercy (rachamim in Hebrew; eleos in Greek) refers to compassion and forgiveness shown to someone in a position of helplessness or deserving punishment. It is an expression of Yahuah’s grace, addressing the immediate need for deliverance from judgment or suffering.
Relationship Between Grace and Mercy:
Mercy can be understood as a subset of grace:
Grace gives us what we do not deserve (a restored relationship with Yahuah, eternal life and blessings).
Mercy spares us from what we do deserve (judgment, wrath and punishment).
In Yahuah’s act of salvation, His grace offers eternal life through Yahusha Ha’Mashiach and by His mercy, Yahuah forgives sins and withholds eternal punishment reserved for Ha’Satan and his followers.
Now that we have a clear understanding of what grace and mercy truly are, let’s delve deeper into the Scriptures to explore how these characters of Yahuah’s love actively work through His Word, guiding and sustaining us during our brief sojourn in this foreign land.
1. The Unveiling of Grace and Mercy in the Beginning
Bere’shiyth (Genesis) 3:21: “Unto A’dam also and to his wife did Yahuah Elohiym make coats of skins, and clothed them.”
From the moment of mankind’s first sin, Yahuah’s mercy and grace were evident in His provision of salvation for A’dam and Chuah, even after their direct and blatant disobedience of His command to not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
This verse demonstrates Yahuah’s grace by providing coats of skin for A’dam and Chuah after their transgression to hide their shame of being naked. Despite their disobedience, He ensures they are not left in their shame. Shame is one of the first by-products of sin once it has been completed.
Mercy is seen in His withholding of immediate judgment, sparing them from physical death and offering a means of covering their sin.
The coats of skin symbolized the necessity of bloodshed for atonement, pointing to the deeper reality that sin requires a covering—a truth that ultimately foreshadows Yahusha Ha’Mashiach, the Lamb whose blood would be shed for the sins of the world.
2. Grace and Mercy: Foundational to Yahuah’s Plan of Redemption
After the initial act of covering A’dam and Chuah’s shame following their sin, Yahuah’s grace and mercy continued to manifest as He unfolded His plan of salvation. This divine favor was evident in the pardon of Qayin (Cain) after he slew H’avel (Abel), where Yahuah withheld immediate judgment and placed a mark of protection upon him (Bere’shiyth 4:15).
From A’dam to the time of Noach (Noah), a span of 1,656 years, Yahuah’s mercy restrained the full outpouring of His wrath and judgment, even as human wickedness increased. However, in the midst of an escalatingly corrupt and violent world, Noach alone found grace:
3. Grace in the Life of Noach
Bere’shiyth (Genesis) 6:8:
“But Noach found grace in the eyes of Yahuah.”
Noach’s favor with Yahuah demonstrates that His grace is not dependent on human merit but is freely given to those who chose to walk with Him by faith and obedience to His commands. Through Noach, Yahuah preserved a remnant, ensuring the continuation of His plan for redemption.
After the flood, the principle of atonement through the shedding of blood was reaffirmed when Noach offered sacrifices:
Bere’shiyth 8:20-21: “20. And Noach builded an altar unto Yahuah; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered ascending smoke offerings on the altar. 21. And Yahuah smelled a sweet savour; and Yahuah said in His heart I will not again curse the ground anymore for man’s sake;..”
These offerings, involving the shedding of blood, symbolized the covering of sin and the restoration of fellowship with Yahuah.
4. Grace and Mercy in the Eternal Covenant with Avraham (Abraham)
Grace in the Call of Avraham – Bere’shiyth (Genesis) 12:1-3: “Now Yahuah had said unto Avram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: and I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing.”
Unmerited Favor: Avraham was chosen not because of his merit but as an act of Yahuah’s grace. Yahuah initiated the covenant, demonstrating His sovereign plan to bring salvation to all nations through Avraham’s seed.
Blessing for All Nations: Grace is evident in the promise that through Avraham, “all families of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 12:3), a clear foreshadowing of Yahusha Ha’Mashiach.
Mercy in the Covenant Confirmation – Bere’shiyth (Genesis) 15:6-7: “And he believed in Yahuah; and He counted it to him for righteousness. And He said unto him, I am Yahuah that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give thee this land to inherit it.”Mercy Through Faith: Despite human sinfulness, Yahuah mercifully accepted Avraham’s faith and credited it as righteousness. This mercy exemplifies how salvation has always been by faith, not works.
Bloodshed in the Covenant:
Yahuah formalized the covenant with a sacrificial ritual involving the shedding of blood:
Bere’shiyth 15:9-10: “Take Me a heifer of three years old, and a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon. And he took unto Him all these, and divided them in the midst.”
The blood of these sacrifices sealed the covenant, symbolizing the cost of sin and the mercy of atonement.
Yahuah Makes the Eternal Covenant With Himself on Behalf of Avraham – Bere’shiyth 15:17-18: 17. And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces. 18. In the same day Yahuah made a covenant with Avram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Mitsrayim unto the great river, the river Perath.
In this act, Yahuah took full responsibility for the covenant’s fulfillment by passing alone between the divided pieces as a smoking furnace and a burning lamp (Bere’shiyth 15:17-18). By doing so, Yahuah made the covenant with Himself on behalf of Avraham, underscoring its unconditional and eternal nature. This act demonstrated that the covenant depended solely on Yahuah’s faithfulness, not on human actions, foreshadowing Yahusha Ha’Mashiach as the ultimate mediator of this promise.
The Promise of Redemption – Bere’shiyth (Genesis) 17:7: “And I will establish My covenant between Me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a Elohiym unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.”
Mercy in Eternal Commitment: Yahuah’s promise to be the Elohiym of Avraham’s descendants reflects His unchanging mercy, binding Himself eternally to His people.
Foreshadowing Yahusha: The covenant pointed to Yahusha Ha’Mashiach as the ultimate fulfillment of Yahuah’s grace and mercy.
Galatiym (Galatians) 3:16: “Now to Avraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Ha’Mashiach.”
The Substitutionary Ram and Mercy in Provision
Bere’shiyth (Genesis) 22:13-14:
“And Avraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Avraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for an ascending smoke offering in the stead of his son.”
Mercy in Substitution: The ram provided by Yahuah spared Yitschaq (Isaac), symbolizing Yahuah’s mercy in offering a substitutionary sacrifice.
Foreshadowing Yahusha: This event prophetically points to Yahusha, the Lamb of Elohiym, who would take away the sins of the world.
5. Yahusha Ha’Mashiach: The Ultimate Expression of Grace and Mercy
From the beginning, Yahuah’s grace and mercy have been central to His plan of salvation, ultimately fulfilled in Yahusha Ha’Mashiach, “The Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (Revelation 13:8). Through His sacrifice, Yahuah’s justice was satisfied, and His love was demonstrated.
Through Yahusha, grace is freely given, offering salvation by faith: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of Elohiym” (Ephesians 2:8-9).
His mercy spares us from judgment: “For Elohiym commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Ha’Mashiach died for us” (Romans 5:8).
Yahusha’s priesthood, after the order of Melchizedek (Psalms 110:4), invites us to the throne of grace, where we can boldly obtain mercy and find help in our time of need (Hebrews 4:16). His blood, shed once for all, brings eternal redemption: “Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood He entered in once into the Set Apart place, having obtained eternal redemption for us” (Hebrews 9:12).
This unmerited grace and divine mercy flow from Yahuah’s covenantal love, fulfilled in Yahusha and extended to all who believe. As the Lamb without blemish, His sacrifice reconciles humanity to Yahuah and secures the promise of eternal life (1 Peter 1:18-19).
6. Judgment as the Counterbalance to Grace and Mercy
While grace and mercy are central to Yahuah’s redemptive plan, His judgment ensures that justice is upheld. Yahuah’s perfect character harmonizes mercy and grace with judgment, as He demonstrates both compassion and righteousness. Scripture reveals that sin has consequences, and judgment is a necessary response to uphold His being set apart.
The Necessity of Judgment – Bere’shiyth (Genesis) 6:5-7: “And Yahuah saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually… And Yahuah said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth.”
Judgment in the Flood demonstrates Yahuah’s intolerance for sin while sparing Noach through grace.
Tehilliym (Psalms) 9:7-8: “But Yahuah shall endure forever: He hath prepared His throne for judgment. And He shall judge the world in righteousness, He shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness.”
Yahuah’s judgment is always righteous and fair, upholding His divine justice.
Mattithyahu (Matthew) 7:21-23: “21. Not every one that saith unto Me, Adonai, Adonai, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven. 22. Many will say to Me in that day, Adonai, Adonai, have we not prophesied in Thy name? and in Thy name have cast out devils? and in Thy name done many wonderful works? 23. And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity.”
This passage underscores that Yahuah’s judgment is based not on outward appearances or works done in His name but on the authenticity of a heart aligned with His will. Grace transforms the believer’s life into one of obedience, not superficial religiosity.
Chazon (Revelation) 20:12: “And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before Elohiym; and the books were opened… and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.”
Final judgment ensures that all deeds are accounted for, revealing Yahuah’s ultimate justice.
Mercy in Judgment – Micah 7:18: “Who is an Elohiym like unto Thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He retaineth not His anger forever, because He delighteth in mercy.”
Even in judgment, Yahuah offers mercy to the repentant.
Yechezqel (Ezekiel) 33:11: “Say unto them, As I live, saith Adonai Yahuah, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live.”
Yahuah’s mercy allows room for repentance, showing His desire to save rather than destroy.
Grace as the Remedy for Judgment – Romans 3:23-24: “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of Elohiym; being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Ha’Mashiach Yahusha.”
Grace provides salvation from the judgment all humanity deserves.
Yochanan (John) 3:16-17: “For Elohiym so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For Elohiym sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.”
Yahusha’s sacrifice bridges the gap between judgment and grace, offering eternal life to those who believe and walk in His commandments.The Balancing of Judgment, Grace, and Mercy – Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of Elohiym is eternal life through Yahusha Ha’Mashiach our Adonai.”
Judgment brings the consequence of sin (death), but grace provides the remedy (eternal life).
Ivrim (Hebrews) 4:16: “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
The throne of grace offers mercy to cover sin and grace to empower the repentant, mitigating judgment for those who turn to Yahusha.
Final Judgment and the Victory of Mercy – Tehilliym (Psalms) 85:10: “Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.”
In Yahuah’s judgment, mercy and righteousness work together, ultimately leading to peace.
Chazon (Revelation) 22:12: “And, behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be.”
Yahusha’s return brings both judgment for the wicked and grace for the righteous, finalizing the balance of Yahuah’s justice and mercy.
Conclusion – Judgment is the counterbalance to grace and mercy, ensuring that Yahuah’s justice remains intact. Mattithyahu 7:21-23 emphasizes that grace is not a license to live in sin or rely on works for salvation. Rather, it calls for true obedience and alignment with Yahuah’s will. Through Yahusha Ha’Mashiach, the judgment we deserve is administered in His sacrifice, making grace and mercy accessible to all who believe and walk by faith. Yet, for those who reject this gift, judgment will come according to Yahuah’s righteousness.
7. Grace and Mercy in the Life of Believers
Grace and mercy are central to the life of every believer, shaping our relationship with Yahuah and empowering us to live in obedience and fellowship with Him. These divine gifts, freely given through Yahusha Ha’Mashiach, not only provide salvation but also sustain and transform believers daily.
Grace as the Foundation of Salvation – Ephesians 2:8-9: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of Elohiym: not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Grace is the unmerited favor that brings salvation, emphasizing that only through faith we receive grace.
Titus 2:11-12: “For the grace of Elohiym that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.”
Grace not only saves but also empowers believers to live set apart lives.
Mercy in Forgiveness and Renewal – Tehilliym (Psalms) 103:10-12: “He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward them that fear Him.”
Yahuah’s mercy forgives and removes the burden of sin, renewing our relationship with Him.
Titus 3:5: “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Ruach Ha’Qodesh (Holy Ghost).”
Mercy spares us from judgment, offering a new beginning in Yahusha.
Grace and Mercy in Times of Need – Ivrim (Hebrews) 4:16: “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
Believers have constant access to Yahuah’s grace and mercy, receiving strength and forgiveness when facing challenges.
Tehilliym (Psalms) 23:6: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of Yahuah forever.”
Yahuah’s mercy is a daily companion, sustaining us through life’s trials.
Grace for Spiritual Growth – Romans 6:14: “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.”
Grace empowers believers to overcome sin and live in the freedom of obedience to Yahuah.
2 Kepha (Peter) 3:18: “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Adonai and Saviour Yahusha Ha’Mashiach.”
Grace is dynamic, enabling believers to mature in their faith and deepen their relationship with Yahusha.
Mercy in Restoring the Fallen – Ya’aqov (James) 2:13: “For He shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.”
Mercy triumphs over judgment, restoring believers who stumble and encouraging them to extend mercy to others.
Galatiym (Galatians) 6:1-2: “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness… Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Ha’Mashiach.”
Believers are called to reflect Yahuah’s mercy in their relationships, fostering restoration and unity.
Grace and Mercy as Our Hope for Eternity – Romans 5:1-2: “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with Elohiym through our Adonai Yahusha Ha’Mashiach: by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of Elohiym.”
Grace gives believers a firm foundation and a joyful hope in Yahuah’s eternal promises.
Yehudah (Jude) 1:21: “Keep yourselves in the love of Elohiym, looking for the mercy of our Adonai Yahusha Ha’Mashiach unto eternal life.”
Mercy assures us of eternal life, sustaining our hope as we await Yahusha’s return.
In the life of a believer, grace provides salvation, empowerment, and growth, while mercy offers forgiveness, renewal, and hope. Together, they define our relationship with Yahuah, shaping our daily walk and our eternal destiny. Through Yahusha Ha’Mashiach, we experience the fullness of Yahuah’s grace and mercy, equipping us to live lives that glorify Him.
Conclusion
In this study, we have seen that Yahuah’s grace and mercy are not abstract concepts but active, dynamic agents in His eternal plan of salvation. From the first shedding of blood to cover A’dam and Chuah’s sin, through His covenant with Avraham, and ultimately in Yahusha Ha’Mashiach, the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world, Yahuah’s grace and mercy have been revealed in powerful ways.
Grace gives us what we do not deserve: a restored relationship with Yahuah, eternal life, and the strength to walk in obedience.
Mercy spares us from what we do deserve: judgment, wrath, and eternal separation from Yahuah.
While judgment serves as the counterbalance, ensuring Yahuah’s justice is upheld, grace and mercy flow through Yahusha’s sacrifice, reconciling humanity to Yahuah. His blood, shed once for all, is the foundation upon which both grace and mercy stand. As believers, we are called to live in the light of these truths, growing in faith and reflecting His grace and mercy to others.
Self-Study Questions: Grace and Mercy in Your Walk with Yahuah
- Reflecting on Grace:
- What does it mean to you personally that grace is an unmerited gift from Yahuah? (Ephesians 2:8-10)
- How have you experienced Yahuah’s grace in your life, especially in situations where you felt undeserving?
- Read Titus 2:11-15. How does Yahuah’s grace teach us to live in this present world? Are there areas in your life where you need to rely more on His grace to deny ungodliness?
- Understanding Mercy:
- Think about a time when you were spared from a consequence you deserved. How does that experience reflect Yahuah’s mercy toward you? (Micah 7:18-20)
- Read Tehilliym (Psalms) 103:8-22. What does it mean that Yahuah is merciful and gracious and has not dealt with us according to our sins? How does this inspire you to live a life after Yahusha Ha’Mashiach, to walk in Yahuah’s commandments and extend mercy to others?
- Grace and Mercy Together:
- How do you see grace and mercy working together in your salvation? (Romans 3:23-24; Titus 3:5)
- Reflect on Ivrim (Hebrews) 4:16. How does knowing that Yahuah’s throne is one of grace and mercy encourage you in times of need? What areas of your life do you need to bring before Yahuah’s throne today?
- Living in Grace and Mercy:
- Mattithyahu (Matthew) 7:21-23 challenges us to examine whether we are truly doing the will of the Father. How can you ensure that your actions align with Yahuah’s will and are not just outward appearances of righteousness?
- Read Romaiym (Romans) 6:14. What does it mean for sin to no longer have dominion over you because you are under grace? How can this empower you to live a life that honors Yahuah?
- Extending Grace and Mercy to Others:
- Read Ya’aqov (James) 2:13. How does the statement, “mercy rejoiceth against judgment,” apply to your relationships with others? Are there people in your life to whom you need to show greater grace and mercy?
- Consider Galatiym (Galatians) 6:1-2. How can you be a vessel of Yahuah’s grace and mercy by helping restore someone who has stumbled in their walk?
- The Cost of Grace and Mercy:
- Meditate on Chazon (Revelation) 13:8, which calls Yahusha “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” How does the cost of Yahusha’s sacrifice deepen your understanding of Yahuah’s grace and mercy?
- How does recognizing the cost of grace motivate you to live in a way that reflects gratitude for Yahusha’s sacrifice?
- Grace and Mercy in Judgment:
- Tehilliym (Psalms) 85:10 speaks of mercy and truth meeting together. How does this verse help you reconcile Yahuah’s justice with His mercy?
- Read Mattithyahu (Matthew) 25:31-46 (the judgment of the nations). How do grace and mercy play a role in Yahuah’s judgment? Are you actively living out your faith in a way that reflects grace and mercy to others?
- The Eternal Impact of Grace and Mercy:
- Read Yehudah (Jude) 1:21. How can you keep yourself in the love of Yahuah while looking for His mercy unto eternal life?
- Reflect on Romans 5:1-2. How does grace provide hope for eternity, and how does this hope shape the way you live today?
Application in Your Life
Spend time in prayer, asking Yahuah to reveal areas in your life where you need to experience His grace and mercy more deeply. Reflect on how you can extend the same grace and mercy to others, following Yahusha’s (Jesus’) example. Finally, thank Yahuah for the ultimate cost paid by Yahusha, ensuring that these divine gifts are freely available to you.