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See Also:
Jehovah’s Endearing Qualities
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“Merciful and compassionate”: Jehovah looks after his worshippers with tender love and deep concern, just as parents look after their children
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“Slow to anger”: Jehovah is patient with his servants, putting up with their shortcomings and giving them time to make changes
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“Abundant in loyal love”: Jehovah forges an unfailing bond of loyal love with his people
*** w17 September p. 8 par. 1 Imitate Jehovah’s Compassion ***
ON ONE occasion, God revealed himself to Moses by declaring His own name and qualities. The first ones that he listed were mercy and compassion. (Read Exodus 34:5-7.) Jehovah could have stressed his power or his wisdom. Yet, to Moses, who was seeking reassurance of God’s backing, Jehovah emphasized instead qualities that underscore his willingness to help his servants. (Ex. 33:13) Do you not find it heartwarming that God mentioned these endearing traits ahead of any others? This article will focus on the quality of compassion, a sympathetic awareness of another’s suffering or adversity coupled with a desire to lessen it.
*** w09 5/1 p. 18 par. 6 When Jehovah Described Himself ***
Another great truth that Jehovah wants us to know about himself is that he pardons “error and transgression and sin.” (Verse 7) He is “ready to forgive” repentant sinners. (Psalm 86:5) At the same time, Jehovah never condones badness. He explains that “by no means will he give exemption from punishment.” (Verse 7) The holy and just God will not leave willful sinners unpunished. Sooner or later the consequences of their sinful behavior will catch up with them.
*** w82 4/15 p. 29 Meaning Well Is Not Enough! ***
Our Creator, Jehovah God, is balanced. At all times his actions harmonize perfectly with his four cardinal qualities of wisdom, justice, power and love. For instance, this can be seen by the description God gave of himself when his servant Moses asked to see His glory. After having been told that no one could see Him and yet live, Moses heard a voice describing God as follows: “Jehovah, Jehovah, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abundant in loving-kindness and truth, preserving loving-kindness for thousands, pardoning error and transgression and sin.” But did Jehovah let matters go at that? No, lest some should presume on Jehovah’s mercy and loving-kindness. Fittingly, Moses heard these balancing words: “But by no means will he [Jehovah] give exemption from punishment.”—Exodus 34:6, 7.
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