“The Lord will thunder and roar from Zion and utter His voice from Jerusalem”
“[Hosea], Say to your brethren, Ammi [or You-are-my-people], and to your sisters, Ruhamah [or You-have-been-pitied-and-have-obtained-mercy].” (Hosea 2:1)
Hosea had named his second child, a daughter, Lo-Ruhamah and his third child, as son, Lo-Ammi. Because of the people's unfaithfulness and waywordness. God had determined not to have mercy or pity on those who were not His people – Israel. (Hosea 1:6,8-9)
God however quickly turns and paints a picture of hope. Commentary notes, “When they shall have appointed Christ their head, and centered in him, then let them say to one another, with triumph and exultation (let the prophets say it to them, so the Chaldee—Comfort you, comfort you, my people, is now their commission), 'say to them, Ammi, and Ruhamah; call them so again, for they shall no longer lie under the reproach and doom of Lo-ammi and Lo-ruhamah; they shall now be my people again, and shall obtain mercy.'” [1]
The word 'Ruhamah' is the Hebrew word racham, Strongs #7355. It means to feel or show compassion, love deeply, show pity, tenderly regard, and/or tenderly love someone like parents feel towards their infant. The orgin of the word is the Hebrew word for 'womb' (rechem) [2]
Vine's Dictionary notes that Racham is used “in God’s promise to declare His name to Moses: 'I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy' (Exod. 33:19)... Isaiah prophesies messianic restoration: '… With great mercies will I gather thee.… But with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer' (Isa. 54:7-8).” [3]
“Open up the skies of mercy, Rain down the cleansing flood, Healing waters rise around us, Hear our cries Lord, Let 'em rise ” sings in the background.
God is enthroned on the mercy seat (Hebrews 9:5) and sees the world through eyes of mercy. In Isaiah 49:15, God asks, “Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on [racham] the son of her womb [rechem]?”
And Matthew 9:35-37 says, “And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news (the Gospel) of the kingdom and curing all kinds of disease and every weakness and infirmity. When He saw the throngs, He was moved with pity and sympathy for them, because they were bewildered (harassed and distressed and dejected and helpless), like sheep without a shepherd.”
Commentary goes on to note that “God sets the example by His constant compassion for the helpless and undeserving (Is. 54:8, 10).... In the New Testament the word is often used of Christ’s gracious faithfulness and proof of His benevolence. Mercy is not merely a passive emotion, but an active desire to remove the cause of distress in others.” [4]
One article writes about mercy, “The principal Hebrew word for mercy speaks of an emotional response to the needs of others. It means to feel the pain of another so deeply that we’re compelled to do something about it. In fact, people in Bible times believed that the seat of emotions was found in the intestinal area. That’s why the King James Version uses the phrase, 'bowels of mercy.' William Barclay defines mercy this way: 'To get inside someone’s skin until we can see things with his eyes, think things with his mind, and feel things with his feelings; to move in and act on behalf of those who are hurting.' Mercy can be defined as: 'good will toward the afflicted, joined with a desire to relieve them.'” [5]
Mercy moves towards the broken and hurting to relieve their pain and distress. God came to us in humility as a baby and went to the cross, suffering and enduring the pain out of mercy for us. Mercy is generous toward the needy. Romans 8:32 says, “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?”
God demonstrates His mercy in helping those who are miserable due to circumstances beyond their control. [6] Commentary notes, “We see this aspect of mercy especially in the life of our Lord Jesus. He healed blind men (Matt. 9:27–31; 20:29–34) and lepers (Luke 17:11–19). These acts of healing grew out of his attitude of compassion and mercy.” [7]
Mercy meets us in our place of need, moving towards it and providing whatever is needed –forgiveness, grace, healing, deliverance, etc. Over and over the psalms praise God for demonstrating His mercy in various ways.
Psalm 136 proclaims to give praise and thanks to God for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever. This psalm highlights aspects of His demonstrated mercy in the past:
- To Him Who alone does great wonders (vs. 4)
- To Him Who stretched out the earth upon the waters (vs. 6)
- To Him Who made the great lights (vs. 7)
- To Him Who smote Egypt in their firstborn (vs. 10)
- To Him Who divided the Red Sea into parts (vs. 13)
- To Him Who led His people through the wilderness (vs. 16)
- To Him Who [earnestly] remembered us in our low estate and imprinted us [on His Heart] (vs. 23)
- And rescued us from our enemies (vs. 24)
- To Him Who gives food to all flesh (vs. 25)
Mercy is undeserved. It is a characteristic that looks at one's suffering rather than their sin and moves toward it. Romans 5:8 says, “But God shows and clearly proves His [own] love for us by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) died for us.”
Since mercy is undeserved, it can come despite our sin.[8] Daniel prays in Daniel 9:9, “To the Lord our God belong mercy and loving-kindness and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against Him.”
And Paul proclaims in 1 Timothy 1:13,15-16, “Though I formerly blasphemed and persecuted and was shamefully and outrageously and aggressively insulting [to Him], nevertheless, I obtained mercy because I had acted out of ignorance in unbelief...
The saying is sure and true and worthy of full and universal acceptance, that Christ Jesus (the Messiah) came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am foremost. But I obtained mercy for the reason that in me, as the foremost [of sinners], Jesus Christ might show forth and display all His perfect longsuffering and patience for an example to [encourage] those who would thereafter believe on Him for [the gaining of] eternal life.”
And in Hosea 11:7-8, the Lord proclaims that His people are bent on backsliding from Him, yet His heart is to extend mercy to them. He says, “How can I give you up, O Ephraim! How can I surrender you and cast you off, O Israel! How can I make you as Admah or how can I treat you as Zeboiim [both destroyed with Sodom]! My heart recoils within Me; My compassions are kindled together.”
He determines not to execute wrath towards them in anger, but to roar like a lion and draw His sons back to Him. God in His mercy can be bold in love towards His people and fierce towards His enemies. Hosea 11:10 goes on to proclaim, “They shall walk after the Lord Who will roar like a lion; He Himself will roar and [His] sons shall come trembling and eagerly from the west.”
Commentary notes about this, “At the time of the Millennium, Jehovah will roar like a lion against Israel’s enemies; and those dispersed in the west will return.” [9]
“Let all the prodigals run home” sings.
When the Lord roars against His enemies, it is good news for His people. It is not a threat, but an action in protection and defense of His people. Isaiah 42:13 says, “The Lord will go forth like a mighty man, He will rouse up His zealous indignation and vengeance like a warrior; He will cry, yes, He will shout aloud, He will do mightily against His enemies.”
Joel also speaks of a time that God will act in mercy towards his people and fierceness toward His enemies in the end times. Joel 3:16 says, “The Lord will thunder and roar from Zion and utter His voice from Jerusalem, and the heavens and the earth shall shake; but the Lord will be a refuge for His people and a stronghold to the children of Israel.”
God's wrath in the end times is not directed towards us -but rather His mercy. Romans 5:9 says, “Therefore, since we are now justified (acquitted, made righteous, and brought into right relationship with God) by Christ's blood, how much more [certain is it that] we shall be saved by Him from the indignation and wrath of God.”
God demonstrated fierceness against His enemies while extending mercy to His people while He was on the earth when He drove the money changers from the temple.
In Matthew 21:12-14 it says, “And Jesus went into the temple (whole temple enclosure) and drove out all who bought and sold in the sacred place, and He turned over the four-footed tables of the money changers and the chairs of those who sold doves.
He said to them, The Scripture says, My house shall be called a house of prayer; but you have made it a den of robbers. And the blind and the lame came to Him in the porches and courts of the temple, and He cured them.”
Zephaniah 3:19 says, “Behold, at that time I will deal with all those who afflict you; I will save the limping [ones] and gather the outcasts and will make them a praise and a name in every land of their shame.”
Commentary notes about this, “ This prophecy was only partially fulfilled in the restoration that followed the Babylonian captivity; but it will ultimately and fully be fulfilled in the restoration following the Great Tribulation when Jehovah returns to the earth, puts down every enemy, regathers His people, and reigns over them for a thousand years!” [10]
And Micah 4:6-7 says something similar about the 'latter days to come,' “In that day, says the Lord, I will assemble the lame, and I will gather those who have been driven away and those whom I have afflicted. And I will make the lame a remnant, and those who were cast off a strong nation; and the Lord shall reign over them in Mount Zion from this time forth and forever.”
However, not all verses on the Lord roaring are in defense of His people and directed against the enemy. Jeremiah proclaims in Jeremiah 25:30-31, “The Lord shall roar from on high and utter His voice form His holy habitation; He shall roar mightily against His fold and pasture. He shall give a shout like those who tread grapes [in the winepress, but His shout will be] against all the inhabitants of the earth.
A noise will come even to the ends of the earth, for the Lord has a controversy and an indictment against the nations; He will enter into judgment with all mankind; as for the wicked, He will give them to the sword, says the Lord.”
Commentary notes, “A poetic section concludes this chapter in which God pours out His vengeance against His rebellious people.... This prophecy is not only descriptive of God’s judgment upon Judah and the nations following the seventy-year captivity, but also His judgment upon apostate Israel and the nations which will culminate in the second coming of Christ (Mt 24:30; Rev 1:4–19). The warnings of Jeremiah some two and one-half millennia ago need to be heeded by the ungodly nations of our day, who are drunken and, unless they repent, will rise no more (vs. 27). [11]
Another commentary notes that the roaring noise refers to a thunderous judgment resulting from God’s controversy or 'covenant lawsuit' against the nations. [12]
Jeremiah 25:34 continues by proclaiming, “Wail, you shepherds, and cry; and roll in ashes, you principal ones of the flock.” When God roars against His people, He is calling them to mourn and repent for their sin and breaking of covenant.
An example of the Lord roaring and the people repenting is Ninevah. When the people heard the prophet Jonah proclaim God's judgments against the land, they turned from their sin, fasted, and repented. The result was that God spared Ninevah destruction. But as commentary notes, later generations when the people backslid and reverted to wickedness, the warning was carried out. [13]
Amos 1:2 proclaims, “And he said, The Lord roars out of Zion and utters His voice from Jerusalem; then the pastures of the shepherds mourn and the top of [Mount] Carmel dries up.”
Commentary notes, “Both Joel (cf. Joel 3:16) and Amos describe the Lord as roaring from Zion, but there is an interesting contrast between them. In Joel Jehovah roars from Zion against Israel’s enemies, whereas in Amos Jehovah roars from Zion against Israel herself. The habitations of the shepherds shall mourn, and the top of Carmel shall wither.” [14]
As Amos speaks of the Lord roaring out of Zion, he goes on to prophesy God's judgments against the nations. He also prophesies judgment against God's rebellious people who were worshiping idols and oppressing the poor.
Amos proclaims in Amos 3:1-11, “Hear this word that the Lord has spoken against you, O children of Israel, against the whole family which I brought up from the land of Egypt; You only have I known (chosen, sympathized with, and loved) of all the families of the earth; therefore I will visit upon you all your wickedness and punish you for all your iniquities.
Do two walk together except they make an appointment and have agreed? Will a lion roar in the forest when he has no prey? Will a young lion cry out of his den if he has taken nothing? Can a bird fall in a snare upon the earth where there is no trap for him? Does a trap spring up from the ground when nothing at all has sprung it?
Shall a trumpet be blown in the city and the people not be alarmed and afraid? Shall misfortune or evil occur [as punishment] and the Lord has not caused it? Surely the Lord will do nothing without revealing His secret to His servants the prophets.
The lion has roared; who will not fear? The Lord God has spoken; who can but prophesy? Publish to the strongholds in Ashdod [Philistia] and to the strongholds in the land of Egypt, and say, Assemble yourselves upon the mountains of Samaria, and behold what great tumults (confusion and disorder) are in her and what oppressions are in the midst of her.
For they know not how to do right, says the Lord, they who store up violence and robbery in their strongholds. Therefore thus says the Lord God: An adversary shall surround the land, and he shall bring down your defenses from you and your strongholds shall be plundered.”
I imagine the purpose in this roaring being a call to repent is something like a mother who yells toward their child who is wondering out into the street where they could be harmed to turn around and come back. In the same way, when the Lord roars at His people in rebellion, it is a call to fear the Lord and turn around and come back. It is out of love and not with an intention to intimidate or cause harm.
And God demonstrates mercy as He roars like a lion, bringing forth His justice. His judgments are against powers and principalities of wickedness and not against people. God gave us an example of bringing forth His justice when Jesus went to the cross and bore our sin, paying the penalty.
Romans 5:8 says, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
And even in our suffering and affliction, God works all things for our good. God is able to keep His people and sustain them even in His judgments against evil. Some examples of this include: saving righteous lot from the destruction of Sodom; sustaining the Israelites in Goshen during the ten plagues on Egypt; and sustaining those who went to Babylon in seventy years of captivity and bringing them back into the land once the specified time of judgment was over.
“Only Your love does not run dry, Only Your love for me” sings in the background
Over and over, God shows forth mercy. Isaiah 42:3-4 says about the Lord, “A bruised reed He will not break, and a dimly burning wick He will not quench; He will bring forth justice in truth. He will not fail or become weak or be crushed and discouraged till He has established justice in the earth; and the islands and coastal regions shall wait hopefully for Him and expect His direction and law.”
In the same way, God desires us to demonstrate this same mercy to others. Hosea 12:6 says, “Therefore return to your God! Hold fast to love and mercy, to righteousness and justice, and wait [expectantly] for your God continually!”
In Matthew 18:23-35, Jesus tells a parable about a king who forgave one of his attendants a huge debt out of mercy. In Matthew 18:27 it says, “And his master's heart was moved with compassion, and he released him and forgave him [canceling] the debt.”
Yet this same attendant threw one of his fellow attendants in prison for a small amount owed. Matthew 18:32-35 says, “Then his master called him and said to him, You contemptible and wicked attendant! I forgave and canceled all that [great] debt of yours because you begged me to. And should you not have had pity and mercy on your fellow attendant, as I had pity and mercy on you?
And in wrath his master turned him over to the torturers (the jailers), till he should pay all that he owed. So also My heavenly Father will deal with every one of you if you do not freely forgive your brother from your heart his offenses.”
Matthew 5:7 says, “Blessed (happy, to be envied and spiritually prosperous –with life-joy and satisfaction in God's favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy!”
And James 1:27 says, “External religious worship [religion as it is expressed in outward acts] that is pure and unblemished in the sight of God the Father is this: to visit and help and care for the orphans and widows in their affliction and need, and to keep oneself unspotted and uncontaminated from the world.”
And in the same way that God is bold against injustice while demonstrating His mercy, He calls us to be bold at times in demonstrating mercy. Not roaring against people, but roaring against injustice and systems of oppression that cause harm to the poor and needy.
Proverbs 31:8-9 says, “Open your mouth for the dumb [those unable to speak for themselves], for the rights of all who are left desolate and defenseless; Open your mouth, judge righteously, and administer justice for the poor and needy.”
Job proclaims in Job 29:12,17, “Because I delivered the poor who cried, the fatherless and him who had none to help him... And I broke the jaws or the big teeth of the unrighteous and plucked the prey out of his teeth.”
The Lord proclaims in Isaiah 1:17, “Learn to do right! Seek justice, relieve the oppressed, and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless, plead for the widow.”
And the Lord proclaims in Jeremiah 22:15-16, “Do you think that being a king ( ie. the one in charge – my add here) means [self-indulgent] vying and striving to excel in cedar [palaces]? Did not your father [Josiah], as he ate and drank, do justice and righteousness [being upright and in right standing with God]? Then it was well with him. He judged and defended the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well. Was not [all] this [what it means] to know and recognize Me? Says the Lord.”
Lord, forgive me where I have failed to speak up at times. Sometimes I have been silent when I needed to speak (on behalf of the rights of the poor and needy) while other times I have spoke up when I needed to be quiet (in defending my own rights).
Draw us more in your likeness. Give us eyes of mercy to see the world and hearts that are bold in bringing forth your justice and righteousness to those who need it. Give us courage to speak up to defend those in need and wisdom to know when to keep silent.
1. Henry, Matthew: Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible : Complete and Unabridged in One Volume. Peabody : Hendrickson, 1996, c1991, S. Ho 2:1
2, 4. Hayford, Jack W. ; Thomas Nelson Publishers: Hayford's Bible Handbook. Nashville : Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1995
3. Vine, W. E. ; Unger, Merrill F. ; White, William: Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words. Nashville : T. Nelson, 1996, S. 1:43
5. Bill, Brian. The Benefits of Showing Mercy. Located at: http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/the-benefits-of-showing-mercy-brian-bill-sermon-on-sermon-on-the-mount-67069.asp. Last Accessed: 4/10/12
6-8. Youngblood, Ronald F. ; Bruce, F. F. ; Harrison, R. K. ; Thomas Nelson Publishers: Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Dictionary. Nashville : T. Nelson, 1995
9-11, 14. KJV Bible Commentary. Nashville : Thomas Nelson, 1997, c1994.
12. Radmacher, Earl D. ; Allen, Ronald Barclay ; House, H. Wayne: The Nelson Study Bible : New King James Version. Nashville : T. Nelson Publishers, 1997, S. Je 25:31
13. Commentary. The Amplified Bible. Zondervan, Grand Rapids, MI. 1987.
Hosea had named his second child, a daughter, Lo-Ruhamah and his third child, as son, Lo-Ammi. Because of the people's unfaithfulness and waywordness. God had determined not to have mercy or pity on those who were not His people – Israel. (Hosea 1:6,8-9)
God however quickly turns and paints a picture of hope. Commentary notes, “When they shall have appointed Christ their head, and centered in him, then let them say to one another, with triumph and exultation (let the prophets say it to them, so the Chaldee—Comfort you, comfort you, my people, is now their commission), 'say to them, Ammi, and Ruhamah; call them so again, for they shall no longer lie under the reproach and doom of Lo-ammi and Lo-ruhamah; they shall now be my people again, and shall obtain mercy.'” [1]
The word 'Ruhamah' is the Hebrew word racham, Strongs #7355. It means to feel or show compassion, love deeply, show pity, tenderly regard, and/or tenderly love someone like parents feel towards their infant. The orgin of the word is the Hebrew word for 'womb' (rechem) [2]
Vine's Dictionary notes that Racham is used “in God’s promise to declare His name to Moses: 'I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy' (Exod. 33:19)... Isaiah prophesies messianic restoration: '… With great mercies will I gather thee.… But with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer' (Isa. 54:7-8).” [3]
“Open up the skies of mercy, Rain down the cleansing flood, Healing waters rise around us, Hear our cries Lord, Let 'em rise ” sings in the background.
God is enthroned on the mercy seat (Hebrews 9:5) and sees the world through eyes of mercy. In Isaiah 49:15, God asks, “Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on [racham] the son of her womb [rechem]?”
And Matthew 9:35-37 says, “And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news (the Gospel) of the kingdom and curing all kinds of disease and every weakness and infirmity. When He saw the throngs, He was moved with pity and sympathy for them, because they were bewildered (harassed and distressed and dejected and helpless), like sheep without a shepherd.”
Commentary goes on to note that “God sets the example by His constant compassion for the helpless and undeserving (Is. 54:8, 10).... In the New Testament the word is often used of Christ’s gracious faithfulness and proof of His benevolence. Mercy is not merely a passive emotion, but an active desire to remove the cause of distress in others.” [4]
One article writes about mercy, “The principal Hebrew word for mercy speaks of an emotional response to the needs of others. It means to feel the pain of another so deeply that we’re compelled to do something about it. In fact, people in Bible times believed that the seat of emotions was found in the intestinal area. That’s why the King James Version uses the phrase, 'bowels of mercy.' William Barclay defines mercy this way: 'To get inside someone’s skin until we can see things with his eyes, think things with his mind, and feel things with his feelings; to move in and act on behalf of those who are hurting.' Mercy can be defined as: 'good will toward the afflicted, joined with a desire to relieve them.'” [5]
Mercy moves towards the broken and hurting to relieve their pain and distress. God came to us in humility as a baby and went to the cross, suffering and enduring the pain out of mercy for us. Mercy is generous toward the needy. Romans 8:32 says, “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?”
God demonstrates His mercy in helping those who are miserable due to circumstances beyond their control. [6] Commentary notes, “We see this aspect of mercy especially in the life of our Lord Jesus. He healed blind men (Matt. 9:27–31; 20:29–34) and lepers (Luke 17:11–19). These acts of healing grew out of his attitude of compassion and mercy.” [7]
Mercy meets us in our place of need, moving towards it and providing whatever is needed –forgiveness, grace, healing, deliverance, etc. Over and over the psalms praise God for demonstrating His mercy in various ways.
Psalm 136 proclaims to give praise and thanks to God for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever. This psalm highlights aspects of His demonstrated mercy in the past:
- To Him Who alone does great wonders (vs. 4)
- To Him Who stretched out the earth upon the waters (vs. 6)
- To Him Who made the great lights (vs. 7)
- To Him Who smote Egypt in their firstborn (vs. 10)
- To Him Who divided the Red Sea into parts (vs. 13)
- To Him Who led His people through the wilderness (vs. 16)
- To Him Who [earnestly] remembered us in our low estate and imprinted us [on His Heart] (vs. 23)
- And rescued us from our enemies (vs. 24)
- To Him Who gives food to all flesh (vs. 25)
Mercy is undeserved. It is a characteristic that looks at one's suffering rather than their sin and moves toward it. Romans 5:8 says, “But God shows and clearly proves His [own] love for us by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) died for us.”
Since mercy is undeserved, it can come despite our sin.[8] Daniel prays in Daniel 9:9, “To the Lord our God belong mercy and loving-kindness and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against Him.”
And Paul proclaims in 1 Timothy 1:13,15-16, “Though I formerly blasphemed and persecuted and was shamefully and outrageously and aggressively insulting [to Him], nevertheless, I obtained mercy because I had acted out of ignorance in unbelief...
The saying is sure and true and worthy of full and universal acceptance, that Christ Jesus (the Messiah) came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am foremost. But I obtained mercy for the reason that in me, as the foremost [of sinners], Jesus Christ might show forth and display all His perfect longsuffering and patience for an example to [encourage] those who would thereafter believe on Him for [the gaining of] eternal life.”
And in Hosea 11:7-8, the Lord proclaims that His people are bent on backsliding from Him, yet His heart is to extend mercy to them. He says, “How can I give you up, O Ephraim! How can I surrender you and cast you off, O Israel! How can I make you as Admah or how can I treat you as Zeboiim [both destroyed with Sodom]! My heart recoils within Me; My compassions are kindled together.”
He determines not to execute wrath towards them in anger, but to roar like a lion and draw His sons back to Him. God in His mercy can be bold in love towards His people and fierce towards His enemies. Hosea 11:10 goes on to proclaim, “They shall walk after the Lord Who will roar like a lion; He Himself will roar and [His] sons shall come trembling and eagerly from the west.”
Commentary notes about this, “At the time of the Millennium, Jehovah will roar like a lion against Israel’s enemies; and those dispersed in the west will return.” [9]
“Let all the prodigals run home” sings.
When the Lord roars against His enemies, it is good news for His people. It is not a threat, but an action in protection and defense of His people. Isaiah 42:13 says, “The Lord will go forth like a mighty man, He will rouse up His zealous indignation and vengeance like a warrior; He will cry, yes, He will shout aloud, He will do mightily against His enemies.”
Joel also speaks of a time that God will act in mercy towards his people and fierceness toward His enemies in the end times. Joel 3:16 says, “The Lord will thunder and roar from Zion and utter His voice from Jerusalem, and the heavens and the earth shall shake; but the Lord will be a refuge for His people and a stronghold to the children of Israel.”
God's wrath in the end times is not directed towards us -but rather His mercy. Romans 5:9 says, “Therefore, since we are now justified (acquitted, made righteous, and brought into right relationship with God) by Christ's blood, how much more [certain is it that] we shall be saved by Him from the indignation and wrath of God.”
God demonstrated fierceness against His enemies while extending mercy to His people while He was on the earth when He drove the money changers from the temple.
In Matthew 21:12-14 it says, “And Jesus went into the temple (whole temple enclosure) and drove out all who bought and sold in the sacred place, and He turned over the four-footed tables of the money changers and the chairs of those who sold doves.
He said to them, The Scripture says, My house shall be called a house of prayer; but you have made it a den of robbers. And the blind and the lame came to Him in the porches and courts of the temple, and He cured them.”
Zephaniah 3:19 says, “Behold, at that time I will deal with all those who afflict you; I will save the limping [ones] and gather the outcasts and will make them a praise and a name in every land of their shame.”
Commentary notes about this, “ This prophecy was only partially fulfilled in the restoration that followed the Babylonian captivity; but it will ultimately and fully be fulfilled in the restoration following the Great Tribulation when Jehovah returns to the earth, puts down every enemy, regathers His people, and reigns over them for a thousand years!” [10]
And Micah 4:6-7 says something similar about the 'latter days to come,' “In that day, says the Lord, I will assemble the lame, and I will gather those who have been driven away and those whom I have afflicted. And I will make the lame a remnant, and those who were cast off a strong nation; and the Lord shall reign over them in Mount Zion from this time forth and forever.”
However, not all verses on the Lord roaring are in defense of His people and directed against the enemy. Jeremiah proclaims in Jeremiah 25:30-31, “The Lord shall roar from on high and utter His voice form His holy habitation; He shall roar mightily against His fold and pasture. He shall give a shout like those who tread grapes [in the winepress, but His shout will be] against all the inhabitants of the earth.
A noise will come even to the ends of the earth, for the Lord has a controversy and an indictment against the nations; He will enter into judgment with all mankind; as for the wicked, He will give them to the sword, says the Lord.”
Commentary notes, “A poetic section concludes this chapter in which God pours out His vengeance against His rebellious people.... This prophecy is not only descriptive of God’s judgment upon Judah and the nations following the seventy-year captivity, but also His judgment upon apostate Israel and the nations which will culminate in the second coming of Christ (Mt 24:30; Rev 1:4–19). The warnings of Jeremiah some two and one-half millennia ago need to be heeded by the ungodly nations of our day, who are drunken and, unless they repent, will rise no more (vs. 27). [11]
Another commentary notes that the roaring noise refers to a thunderous judgment resulting from God’s controversy or 'covenant lawsuit' against the nations. [12]
Jeremiah 25:34 continues by proclaiming, “Wail, you shepherds, and cry; and roll in ashes, you principal ones of the flock.” When God roars against His people, He is calling them to mourn and repent for their sin and breaking of covenant.
An example of the Lord roaring and the people repenting is Ninevah. When the people heard the prophet Jonah proclaim God's judgments against the land, they turned from their sin, fasted, and repented. The result was that God spared Ninevah destruction. But as commentary notes, later generations when the people backslid and reverted to wickedness, the warning was carried out. [13]
Amos 1:2 proclaims, “And he said, The Lord roars out of Zion and utters His voice from Jerusalem; then the pastures of the shepherds mourn and the top of [Mount] Carmel dries up.”
Commentary notes, “Both Joel (cf. Joel 3:16) and Amos describe the Lord as roaring from Zion, but there is an interesting contrast between them. In Joel Jehovah roars from Zion against Israel’s enemies, whereas in Amos Jehovah roars from Zion against Israel herself. The habitations of the shepherds shall mourn, and the top of Carmel shall wither.” [14]
As Amos speaks of the Lord roaring out of Zion, he goes on to prophesy God's judgments against the nations. He also prophesies judgment against God's rebellious people who were worshiping idols and oppressing the poor.
Amos proclaims in Amos 3:1-11, “Hear this word that the Lord has spoken against you, O children of Israel, against the whole family which I brought up from the land of Egypt; You only have I known (chosen, sympathized with, and loved) of all the families of the earth; therefore I will visit upon you all your wickedness and punish you for all your iniquities.
Do two walk together except they make an appointment and have agreed? Will a lion roar in the forest when he has no prey? Will a young lion cry out of his den if he has taken nothing? Can a bird fall in a snare upon the earth where there is no trap for him? Does a trap spring up from the ground when nothing at all has sprung it?
Shall a trumpet be blown in the city and the people not be alarmed and afraid? Shall misfortune or evil occur [as punishment] and the Lord has not caused it? Surely the Lord will do nothing without revealing His secret to His servants the prophets.
The lion has roared; who will not fear? The Lord God has spoken; who can but prophesy? Publish to the strongholds in Ashdod [Philistia] and to the strongholds in the land of Egypt, and say, Assemble yourselves upon the mountains of Samaria, and behold what great tumults (confusion and disorder) are in her and what oppressions are in the midst of her.
For they know not how to do right, says the Lord, they who store up violence and robbery in their strongholds. Therefore thus says the Lord God: An adversary shall surround the land, and he shall bring down your defenses from you and your strongholds shall be plundered.”
I imagine the purpose in this roaring being a call to repent is something like a mother who yells toward their child who is wondering out into the street where they could be harmed to turn around and come back. In the same way, when the Lord roars at His people in rebellion, it is a call to fear the Lord and turn around and come back. It is out of love and not with an intention to intimidate or cause harm.
And God demonstrates mercy as He roars like a lion, bringing forth His justice. His judgments are against powers and principalities of wickedness and not against people. God gave us an example of bringing forth His justice when Jesus went to the cross and bore our sin, paying the penalty.
Romans 5:8 says, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
And even in our suffering and affliction, God works all things for our good. God is able to keep His people and sustain them even in His judgments against evil. Some examples of this include: saving righteous lot from the destruction of Sodom; sustaining the Israelites in Goshen during the ten plagues on Egypt; and sustaining those who went to Babylon in seventy years of captivity and bringing them back into the land once the specified time of judgment was over.
“Only Your love does not run dry, Only Your love for me” sings in the background
Over and over, God shows forth mercy. Isaiah 42:3-4 says about the Lord, “A bruised reed He will not break, and a dimly burning wick He will not quench; He will bring forth justice in truth. He will not fail or become weak or be crushed and discouraged till He has established justice in the earth; and the islands and coastal regions shall wait hopefully for Him and expect His direction and law.”
In the same way, God desires us to demonstrate this same mercy to others. Hosea 12:6 says, “Therefore return to your God! Hold fast to love and mercy, to righteousness and justice, and wait [expectantly] for your God continually!”
In Matthew 18:23-35, Jesus tells a parable about a king who forgave one of his attendants a huge debt out of mercy. In Matthew 18:27 it says, “And his master's heart was moved with compassion, and he released him and forgave him [canceling] the debt.”
Yet this same attendant threw one of his fellow attendants in prison for a small amount owed. Matthew 18:32-35 says, “Then his master called him and said to him, You contemptible and wicked attendant! I forgave and canceled all that [great] debt of yours because you begged me to. And should you not have had pity and mercy on your fellow attendant, as I had pity and mercy on you?
And in wrath his master turned him over to the torturers (the jailers), till he should pay all that he owed. So also My heavenly Father will deal with every one of you if you do not freely forgive your brother from your heart his offenses.”
Matthew 5:7 says, “Blessed (happy, to be envied and spiritually prosperous –with life-joy and satisfaction in God's favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy!”
And James 1:27 says, “External religious worship [religion as it is expressed in outward acts] that is pure and unblemished in the sight of God the Father is this: to visit and help and care for the orphans and widows in their affliction and need, and to keep oneself unspotted and uncontaminated from the world.”
And in the same way that God is bold against injustice while demonstrating His mercy, He calls us to be bold at times in demonstrating mercy. Not roaring against people, but roaring against injustice and systems of oppression that cause harm to the poor and needy.
Proverbs 31:8-9 says, “Open your mouth for the dumb [those unable to speak for themselves], for the rights of all who are left desolate and defenseless; Open your mouth, judge righteously, and administer justice for the poor and needy.”
Job proclaims in Job 29:12,17, “Because I delivered the poor who cried, the fatherless and him who had none to help him... And I broke the jaws or the big teeth of the unrighteous and plucked the prey out of his teeth.”
The Lord proclaims in Isaiah 1:17, “Learn to do right! Seek justice, relieve the oppressed, and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless, plead for the widow.”
And the Lord proclaims in Jeremiah 22:15-16, “Do you think that being a king ( ie. the one in charge – my add here) means [self-indulgent] vying and striving to excel in cedar [palaces]? Did not your father [Josiah], as he ate and drank, do justice and righteousness [being upright and in right standing with God]? Then it was well with him. He judged and defended the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well. Was not [all] this [what it means] to know and recognize Me? Says the Lord.”
Lord, forgive me where I have failed to speak up at times. Sometimes I have been silent when I needed to speak (on behalf of the rights of the poor and needy) while other times I have spoke up when I needed to be quiet (in defending my own rights).
Draw us more in your likeness. Give us eyes of mercy to see the world and hearts that are bold in bringing forth your justice and righteousness to those who need it. Give us courage to speak up to defend those in need and wisdom to know when to keep silent.
1. Henry, Matthew: Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible : Complete and Unabridged in One Volume. Peabody : Hendrickson, 1996, c1991, S. Ho 2:1
2, 4. Hayford, Jack W. ; Thomas Nelson Publishers: Hayford's Bible Handbook. Nashville : Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1995
3. Vine, W. E. ; Unger, Merrill F. ; White, William: Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words. Nashville : T. Nelson, 1996, S. 1:43
5. Bill, Brian. The Benefits of Showing Mercy. Located at: http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/the-benefits-of-showing-mercy-brian-bill-sermon-on-sermon-on-the-mount-67069.asp. Last Accessed: 4/10/12
6-8. Youngblood, Ronald F. ; Bruce, F. F. ; Harrison, R. K. ; Thomas Nelson Publishers: Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Dictionary. Nashville : T. Nelson, 1995
9-11, 14. KJV Bible Commentary. Nashville : Thomas Nelson, 1997, c1994.
12. Radmacher, Earl D. ; Allen, Ronald Barclay ; House, H. Wayne: The Nelson Study Bible : New King James Version. Nashville : T. Nelson Publishers, 1997, S. Je 25:31
13. Commentary. The Amplified Bible. Zondervan, Grand Rapids, MI. 1987.
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