God is perfectly merciful and just, leaving you with one decision: trust.
“Yet gleanings will be left in the land [of Israel] like the shaking of the olive tree, Two or three olives on the topmost branch, Four or five on the [outermost] branches of the fruitful tree,” Declares the Lord, the God of Israel.” Isaiah 17:6 AMP
Story
Warning: (This story is about war and is detailed.) Skip to the observations if needed!
No kidding, there I was, cleaning up the ammo boxes after my first mission, when a soldier ran up to me with these heavy words: “We got it. We got our first k*ll.” Some brief excitement entered my heart, but it quickly disappeared, thanks to the wisdom of God, and I will explain why.
As an infantry soldier in the army, a CIB, or Combat Infantry Badge, was a coveted award overseas. The badge meant you were, excuse my language, a bad*ss. It meant you were shot at, and you shot back. During combat in Afghanistan, rumors rolled from base to base in the country about each unit earning their award. Ours came early in the deployment because we were in a very hot area.
Thankfully, God taught me two critical lessons at that moment.
First, you are not God, so you don’t have the final say on life, though you hold the power to take life. You are setting up interviews with me.
Second, you are My just arm, but you must pray for them first. Pray that they would see Me, know Me, and turn to Me so that you don’t have to be the just arm. Remember, I died for them.
From that day onward, I had a two-part prayer for ISIS—yes, the brutal enemy that murders people for a hobby. First, it was for God to save them and change them. Second, it was to make us accurate if we needed to return fire. Why do I tell you this story? Today’s verse reminded me of two attributes that are very difficult to understand and cannot live apart from each other. They are married. These attributes are justice and mercy.
Observations
The broader context of Isaiah 17:6 is a prophecy of judgment against Damascus (Syria) and Israel (the northern kingdom). The chapter opens with a warning that Damascus will become desolate, and it transitions to a judgment on Israel for abandoning God and turning to idols. Their misplaced priorities—trusting in human strength, alliances, and false gods—have led them away from their covenant relationship with God.
Amid this judgment, the metaphor of the gleanings in verse 6 illustrates both the devastating consequences of their rebellion (a remnant left after destruction) and the steadfast mercy of God, who spares a faithful remnant. One interesting observation I had was about the metaphor Isaiah uses in verse six, which connects to the law God gave the Israelites in the Mosaic Law regarding leaving gleanings for the poor, widows, orphans, and foreigners. The passage ultimately critiques humanity’s misplaced priorities, emphasizing God's justice and mercy. It serves as a call to realign their lives to His purposes.
Without justice, mercy would lose its meaning. Justice is the foundation that gives mercy its weight and significance. Justice ensures that wrongs are acknowledged and consequences are deserved, while mercy steps in to temper justice with compassion, offering what is undeserved—grace, forgiveness, and restoration. Only God can offer this perfectly; we reflect bits of that when aligned with Him.
In God’s character, justice and mercy are perfectly balanced. For example:
Justice ensures that sin is confronted and dealt with, reflecting God's holiness and righteousness.
Mercy demonstrates His love and willingness to forgive, providing a way for restoration without dismissing the seriousness of sin.
This balance is most profoundly displayed in Jesus Christ. On the cross, God’s justice was fully satisfied as sin was punished, but His mercy was fully revealed as Jesus bore that punishment on behalf of humanity. Without justice, mercy would be meaningless, and without mercy, justice would be unbearable. Together, they show the fullness of God’s love and perfection.
Never Finished Challenge
This is weighty… Early in my faith journey, I felt like the weight of not understanding God entirely held me back. Here’s my challenge: don’t let it hold you back! If you could fully understand God or fit Him in a box, He wouldn’t be God, and you would be. And let me lovingly say—with my hand raised first—you and I would make terrible gods.
Instead, lean into the weightiness of who God is. Seek Him as far as the Holy Spirit leads you, and ask Him for help as you grow in your relationship. It’s like a child learning from a parent—there are things they don’t understand until they mature (and yes, strong-willed me hated realizing my parents were right!). In time, God reveals more, but the journey is about trust and relationship, not having all the answers right now.
For your pocket: God is perfectly merciful and just, leaving you with one decision: trust.
What does today say about God?
God is not inconsistent or unreliable. His promises are never empty or meaningless. He is faithful to His word, which magnifies a profound mercy that words cannot describe and thoughts cannot understand. Despite my sin and repeated rebellion, He chose me before the foundation of the world. Christ's display of justice and mercy on the cross gives purpose, hope, and life to every step I take. Thank you, Jesus!