Blessed Are the Merciful

OT Lesson: Joshua 2:1-24 (NLT)

Then Joshua secretly sent out two spies from the Israelite camp at Acacia Grove. He instructed them, “Scout out the land on the other side of the Jordan River, especially around Jericho.” So the two men set out and came to the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there that night.

But someone told the king of Jericho, “Some Israelites have come here tonight to spy out the land.” So the king of Jericho sent orders to Rahab: “Bring out the men who have come into your house, for they have come here to spy out the whole land.”

Rahab had hidden the two men, but she replied, “Yes, the men were here earlier, but I didn’t know where they were from. They left the town at dusk, as the gates were about to close. I don’t know where they went. If you hurry, you can probably catch up with them.” (Actually, she had taken them up to the roof and hidden them beneath bundles of flax she had laid out.) So the king’s men went looking for the spies along the road leading to the shallow crossings of the Jordan River. And as soon as the king’s men had left, the gate of Jericho was shut.

Before the spies went to sleep that night, Rahab went up on the roof to talk with them. “I know the Lord has given you this land,” she told them. “We are all afraid of you. Everyone in the land is living in terror. For we have heard how the Lord made a dry path for you through the Red Sea when you left Egypt. And we know what you did to Sihon and Og, the two Amorite kings east of the Jordan River, whose people you completely destroyed. No wonder our hearts have melted in fear! No one has the courage to fight after hearing such things. For the Lord your God is the supreme God of the heavens above and the earth below.

“Now swear to me by the Lord that you will be kind to me and my family since I have helped you. Give me some guarantee that when Jericho is conquered, you will let me live, along with my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all their families.”

“We offer our own lives as a guarantee for your safety,” the men agreed. “If you don’t betray us, we will keep our promise and be kind to you when the Lord gives us the land.”

Then, since Rahab’s house was built into the town wall, she let them down by a rope through the window. “Escape to the hill country,” she told them. “Hide there for three days from the men searching for you. Then, when they have returned, you can go on your way.”

Before they left, the men told her, “We will be bound by the oath we have taken only if you follow these instructions. When we come into the land, you must leave this scarlet rope hanging from the window through which you let us down. And all your family members—your father, mother, brothers, and all your relatives—must be here inside the house. If they go out into the street and are killed, it will not be our fault. But if anyone lays a hand on people inside this house, we will accept the responsibility for their death. If you betray us, however, we are not bound by this oath in any way.”

“I accept your terms,” she replied. And she sent them on their way, leaving the scarlet rope hanging from the window.

The spies went up into the hill country and stayed there three days. The men who were chasing them searched everywhere along the road, but they finally returned without success.

Then the two spies came down from the hill country, crossed the Jordan River, and reported to Joshua all that had happened to them. “The Lord has given us the whole land,” they said, “for all the people in the land are terrified of us.”

NT Lesson: Matthew 5:7 (NRSV)

Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

Sermon

Introduction

Good morning, everyone. It is another good day, and I hope your past week was filled with good things and blessings. Did anything new happen in your lives last week? As you may know, our congregation welcomed two new babies. Last Tuesday night, Echo Nunley delivered twins via Caesarean section about two months earlier than expected. Thankfully, the babies are stable, though they are very small. Echo came back home last Friday but the babies will remain in incubators until they either reach their original due date or grow big enough to come home.

On a personal note, something interesting happened to me last week—I received a speeding ticket from South Korea. This was the very first speeding ticket I have ever received in my life. According to the ticket, I was speeding in a school zone. But to my defence, the speed limit in that school zone was 18 MPH which I did not expect, and I was going just 7 MPH over the limit, which I thought should be Okay. Plus, it was a Sunday afternoon, when there was no school in session, and it was during the summer break. So, if you ever find yourself driving in Korea, be aware that the school zone speed limit is enforced 24/7, year-round, regardless of whether school is in session or not.

Before this, I have been pulled over twice for over speeding which were verbal warning. First was in Saskatchewan, Canada. The officer said that he was sorry to pull me over but I was too fast that I drove 80 MPH in 70 MPH zone. The second speeding warning was in Elk Grove, a suburb of Chicago. I was pulled over and the officer told that I was driving 43 MPH in a 40 MPH zone. Since then I try to drive on the speed limit. So, if you ever see me driving in front of you, right at the speed limit, instead of honking, please understand that I am a bit traumatized by these experiences! Now I need to pay the fine via the international transaction.

The Golden Rule of Jesus

Any way, today again we have one verse of the New Testament lesson and a whole chapter of the Old Testament reading. Today Jesus says, “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.” So basically Jesus is saying that if we are merciful, then we will receive mercy. It sounds quite similar to the golden rule of Jesus on Matthew 7:12 (NRSV) which says, “In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets.” This golden rule is more general, which can be applied to any situation. If we are nice to others, then they will be nice back to us. If we harm others, then they will harm us back. So the golden rule is basically give-and-take in general. But today’s New Testament lesson is more specific, that is only on mercy. Then we need to know what mercy means.

What Is Mercy

Let us take a closer look at the Greek text for today’s New Testament lesson. When Jesus says, “Blessed are the merciful,” the word used for “merciful” in Greek is ἐλεήμων (eleēmōn), which primarily means merciful and compassionate. The phrase “to receive mercy” is expressed in Greek by a single word, which is the passive form of ἐλεέω (eleeō), meaning “to show mercy.” Both of these words are derived from the Greek word for mercy, ἔλεος (eleos). In English translations of the Bible, this word is often interchanged with terms like mercy, kindness, or favour. However, ἔλεος carries a specific and distinct meaning.

For instance, a beautiful English name Hannah (and its various spellings like Hanna, Anna, Anne or Ann) is a Hebrew word חַנָּה‎ which is sometimes translated as mercy, and other times as grace or favour. But this Hannah is more like when we say “Can you do me a favour?” in English, that we are implying a request for a kind act, but ἔλεος is more specific and profound than this.

In Matthew 9:13, Jesus tells the Pharisees, “Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’” Here, Jesus is quoting Hosea 6:6, where God expresses a preference for mercy over sacrifice. In both the Old and New Testaments, the word for mercy in Greek is ἔλεος. The corresponding word in Hebrew is חֶסֶד (hesed). Some of you may be familiar with the term “Hesed House.” There are many Hesed Houses in US and Canada. One of them is in Aurora, IL, which is a shelter providing meals and overnight accommodation for the homeless. While it offers basic amenities like separate sleeping and washing areas for men and women, everyone must leave in the morning after the breakfast and can return in the evening before dinner. My wife, Hannah, and I used to volunteer there, serving meals and keeping watch through the night. There is also a Hesed House in Winnipeg, Canada, which functions as a women’s shelter, similar to the one we have here in Lebanon. Homeless or abused women can come and stay in the provided private rooms for up to, I believe, eight or nine months where they can hide and be sheltered while getting job trainings of their choice. My Canadian home church was involved in the Winnipeg Hesed house.

The Hebrew word חֶסֶד (hesed) is sometimes translated as mercy, as in the book of Hosea. Psalm 25:6 (KJV) says, “Remember, O Lord, Thy tender mercies and Thy loving-kindness.” In this verse, “mercies” is not translated from חֶסֶד (hesed) but from רַחֲמִים (rachamim), which refers to compassion or the brotherly love shared among those born from the same womb. The Greek equivalent is more akin to “Philadelphia,” meaning brotherly love. In this verse, חֶסֶד (hesed) is translated as “loving-kindness.” We see חֶסֶד (hesed) again in Lamentations 3:22 (NRSV): “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end.” Here, “steadfast love” is the translation of חֶסֶד (hesed), while “mercies” is again רַחֲמִים (rachamim).

While other words are also translated as mercies, the specific mercy we are focusing on today is חֶסֶד (hesed), because this is the word that Jesus references. חֶסֶד (hesed) is variously translated as mercy, loving-kindness, steadfast love, kindness, or favour, depending on the context.

Mercy from the Stories

But to truly grasp the meaning of חֶסֶד (hesed), we need more than just the lyrics of songs—we need to explore it through biblical stories. The term חֶסֶד (hesed) appears in the Old Testament 255 times, but rather than examining every instance, let us consider a few key examples.

First, in Genesis 20:13 (NRSV), Abraham says to his wife, “This is the kindness you must do me: at every place to which we come, say of me, He is my brother.” The word “kindness” here is חֶסֶד (hesed) in Hebrew. To understand the situation, Abraham and Sarah were living in Canaan, but due to a famine, they decided to move to Egypt. Abraham feared that because Sarah was so beautiful, the local men might kill him to take her as their own. By law and custom, they could not take a woman who was married, but if her husband was dead, they could. So they might just kill the husband to take the woman. So, Abraham asked Sarah to say that he was her brother, which would protect and save his life. Here, חֶסֶד (hesed) is not just a simple act of kindness; it is deeply connected to preserving and saving life.

The second example is found in Genesis 32:10-11 (NRSV), where Jacob prays as his brother was approaching to kill him, “I am not worthy of the least of all the steadfast love and all the faithfulness that You have shown to Your servant, for with only my staff I crossed this Jordan; and now I have become two companies. Deliver me, please, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau, for I am afraid of him; he may come and kill us all, the mothers with the children.” The background of this prayer is that Jacob is returning home after having previously cheated and deceived his older brother Esau so severely that Esau vowed to kill him. Voice Phishing is a problematic crime around the world, but Jacob was the very first voice phishing criminal in history that he cheated both his father and brother with his pretending voice, “I am your son Esau. Give me your money—blessings.” Now, Jacob is about to face the consequence that he learns that Esau is approaching with 400 armed warriors. In Jacob’s prayer, the term “steadfast love” is חֶסֶד (hesed), and it is tied directly to his plea for deliverance from his brother, who he fears will kill him. Once again, חֶסֶד (hesed) is closely related to saving life.

Another instance of חֶסֶד (hesed) is in Genesis 19:19 (NRSV), where Lot speaks to the angels who saved him from the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, saying, “…you have shown me great kindness in saving my life…” The “great kindness” here is חֶסֶד (hesed), and Lot explicitly connects it with the act of saving his life.

Finally, in Exodus 15:13 (NRSV), after crossing the Red Sea, Moses and the Israelites sing, “In Your steadfast love You led the people whom You redeemed.” Here, “steadfast love,” or חֶסֶד (hesed), is associated with redemption and the saving of lives.

Through these examples, we see that חֶסֶד (hesed) is not just about kindness or favour in a general sense. It carries a profound significance, often if not always, involving life-saving acts, redemption, and divine intervention.

Rahab’s Story

The word חֶסֶד (hesed) also appears in today’s Old Testament lesson, the story of Rahab. Rahab was a prostitute, but in those times, prostitutes often doubled as motel or innkeepers, providing lodging and meals. You may call it bed and breakfast. The lives of the Israelite spies were in Rahab’s hands; she could have easily reported them to the authorities, but she chose instead to save the lives of the Israelite spies. In Joshua 2:12 (NLT), Rahab says to the spies, “Now, swear to me by the Lord that you will be kind to me and my family since I have helped you.” However, in Hebrew, what she really says is, “Now, swear to me by the Lord that you will do חֶסֶד (hesed) to me and my family because I have also done חֶסֶד (hesed) to you.” 

So, what חֶסֶד (hesed) did Rahab do to the spies? The חֶסֶד (hesed) she demonstrated was saving their lives. And what חֶסֶד (hesed) is she asking for in return? She is asking that they save her and her family’s lives. Once again, we see that חֶסֶד (hesed) is intimately connected with the act of saving lives. But the mercy or saving lives in this story is not one way. She showed mercy to the spies, and later she received the mercy in return. In this way, this story aligns perfectly with the teachings of Jesus: “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.” Rahab was merciful and later she received mercy in return. Both this Rahab’s story and Jesus’ teaching convey the message that if we want to preserve and save our life, we must first be willing to save others.

Have you seen the 2002 film Gladiator starring Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix, who is now perhaps more famous for his role as the Joker? It is one of my favourite films and I am particularly fond of the first battle scene, which is so realistic and historically accurate how the Romans performed the war against the barbarians. There are many intense gladiator fight scenes in the film. When the fight is over, the victorious gladiator stands over the defeated one, ready with his sword, and looks to the emperor. The emperor then has the power to give a thumbs-up or a thumbs-down. With a thumbs-up, the emperor spares the loser’s life; with a thumbs-down, the loser is killed. 

In a way, we all find ourselves in the position of the emperor at times. With a simple gesture—whether a physical action or our words—we have the power to either kill or save others. Today, Jesus urges us to choose life, to use our power to save rather than destroy. But here is the thing: we do not need to be an emperor to wield this kind of power. Proverbs 18:21 (NRSV) tells us, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” Indeed, our words can either build people up or tear them down. Words can encourage or discourage, uplift or crush. With just our lips, we can either ignite a fire in someone’s heart or extinguish it entirely.

We are called to encourage others so that we too might be encouraged. Even if others do not reciprocate, God will. We are called to inspire others so that we might be inspired, and again, if others fail to inspire us, God will. We are called to save the lives of others so that our own lives may be saved. And rest assured, God will save us. When we save others, then our eternal life and heaven are guaranteed—Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. This very word of Jesus is not only a teaching but also a promise and blessed assurance.

Conclusion

Supporting the Caring Centre is one way we can save lives by feeding the hungry. Supporting the Women’s Shelter is another way, as it provides protection and guidance, helping women to eventually stand on their own feet. But perhaps the simplest way to save lives is through our words—and conversely, the easiest way to kill is also through our words. 

James reminds us that while people can tame all kinds of animals, no one can fully tame their tongues. James says that from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. But, dear friends, let us strive to tame our tongues so that we may use them to praise our Heavenly Father and to bless others. Today, Jesus teaches us that “Blessed are the merciful”—those who work to save lives—“for they will receive mercy,” meaning their own lives will be saved as well. God also commands us to choose life in Deuteronomy 30:19. We shall choose life for ourselves and for others as well.

Let us, then, show mercy not only in our actions but also in our words, following the saving grace and love of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who has shown us the ultimate mercy by shedding His precious blood on the cross to save our lives. Amen.