The Role Of Mercy In The Old Testament

Mercy is the compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm. God is one is being known for being merciful but the mercy he show in the old testament versus the new testament are vastly different. It can be seen evidently in the Old Testament in genesis four that god is merciful and forgiving versus in the New Testament depicted in Jerimiah forty four he is more relentless and unforgiving. The Old Testament depicts god as forgiving and trusting while in the New Testament he is more vengeful. His treatment of sinners changes completely whether it’s for the better or not we will never know. One of the first major sins depicted in the Old Testament was the first murder in Genesis. In which Cain killed his brother Abel because he was driven mad by jealousy. He was jealous that god favored Abel’s sacrifice of fruit from the ground over his portions of fat. God saw Cain was angry and warned him to do the right thing or sin was ready to consume him. And it did
In this scripture God was furious that Jews were worshiping other gods instead of him. It is shown Jeremiah was a prophet who forewarned the Jews to stop lighting incense in name of other gods and worshipping them. God even went as far to threaten the Jews with famine, war and death even then the Jews did not listen. The Jews mock, threaten and imprison the prophet continually for approximately 40 years. Until his prophecy of what god will do would came true, when Nebuchadnezzar defeats the Jews. After this the temple is destroyed the city is set to fire. Jews are left with two choices stay in Jerusalem under Babylonian rule or flee to Egypt. The Jews consult Jeremiah who say god would forgive them if they stay in Jerusalem under Babylonian rule and they would flourish as people but if they went to Egypt they will be punished and