“I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy,
and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.” – God
(Exodus 33:19 NIV)
I’m about 25 chapters into the book of Jeremiah, a powerful collection of warnings from God to his people. Jeremiah is just one of the five “Major Prophets” and twelve “Minor Prophets” in the Bible. Each prophetic book carries similar messages—warnings to the Israelites, urging them to turn from sin and idolatry and return to God, as well as warnings to other nations. God doesn’t speak lightly when he calls people to repentance and warns them of coming judgment. Through the prophets, he clearly communicates that the ungodliness, injustice, and covenant-breaking of Israel will have real consequences. And though other nations weren’t part of Israel’s covenant, they too will be held accountable for their pride, violence, and injustice.
I started wondering about the timeline—how long did God warn his people before judgment came? After doing a bit of online research, I found a helpful website* with timelines for the Old Testament, New Testament, and a separate one just for the Prophets. It made me think: if time were a highway, the 400 years in the era of the prophets would be like entering a stretch filled with every restaurant you can imagine—but they’re all serving the same dish: “Repent!” Each prophet had a different context and audience, but they all carried that same essential message—a call to repentance.
At first, these books don’t read like happy or optimistic stories. But they deeply reveal God’s character and human nature—and that’s what stopped me in my tracks.
God is consistently just. He clearly laid out his expectations in the covenant he made with Israel. He consistently warned them to turn from their sin and return to the truth. And they consistently refused. It’s heartbreaking to God—generation after generation, the people either ignored him or didn’t believe he would follow through on his word.
For four hundred years, God sent prophets to warn the people. He didn’t say it once or twice—he said it over and over, through different voices, in different times, with different approaches. As The Bible Recap host says, “Mercy is not getting what you do deserve, and grace is getting what you do not deserve.” To me, God’s mercy is shown clearly in his relentless pursuit of his people.
God is also consistently loving. If he didn’t love them, why would he go to such lengths to extend mercy? He longed for his people to be in covenant with him. Again and again, he called them to lives of holiness and justice—but they wouldn’t, couldn’t, or simply didn’t respond.
And yet, tucked in to these 17 books of warning of gloom and doom are some of the most beautiful passages of hope in the Old Testament – words of encouragement, courage, and the promise of the Messiah.
Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:31 NIV)
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever. (Isaiah 9:6-7 NIV)
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV)
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV)
I could go on with Ezekiel 36:26, Ezekiel 37:5, Daniel 7:14, Joel 2:25, and all of Isaiah 43 and Isaiah 55 – but this post is already long enough. The bottom line? Even in the darkest warnings, God’s consistent, just, righteous, loving and merciful character shines through.
God,
Sometimes it is overwhelming to realize how much you love us. Thank you for consistently showing your character and your heart for your people through the words of the Bible, and especially the Prophets. We thank you that your love, justice, and kindness are demonstrated so deeply in your repeated calls to repentance. Help us remember that, in your mercy, we have not received what we do deserve but, instead, have received grace upon grace that we don’t deserve. Help us today to hear your call, to respond, and to live lives that reflect that love, justice, and kindness. Thank you that we can live life through the grace of Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray, AMEN.