Page 257 - Bible Writers Theology Original

seven. Hewastoleamthatforgivenessisnotaquestionofmoralarithmetic/ but the outcome of a transformed life. Divine forgiveness, which is to be emulated/ is unlimited: Jesus said to forgive ''seventy times seven" (Matthew 18:22).
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Repentance Finds Grace and Mercy In the Sight of God and Men
The wise man said, "When a man's ways please tiie LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him" (Proverbs 16:7). James declared/ "God resisteth theproud, butgivelh grace unto the humble" (James 4:6).
That is what we leam from the Ninevites who listened to the preach ing of Jonah Qonah 3:6,9;Hosea 6:1-2).
David said that the children of Israel, "cried unto ttie LORD in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses" (Psalm 107:13; n Chronicles 15:12-15; Deuteronomy 30:1-20; n Chronicles 7:14; Isaiah 1:18-20;Job 22:21-30).
The imminent persecution of the Jews in the days ofEsther was avert ed as a result of Mordecai's command to the queen: "Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews. For if thou altogether boldest thy peace at diis time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another pIace,...who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such
a time as this?" (Esther 4:13-14). Esther's resolution tojoin herself with the mourning of theJewish race brougjit mercy and deliverance from God. Shesaid,"...andifIperish,Iperish."
Repentance Opens the Door to God's Blessings
As a propitiation for blessing the prophet Hosea exhorted, "Sow to
yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain right eousness upon you" (Hosea 10:12).
Isaiah, foreseeing the blessings of Christ's kingdom, had this to pro
claim from God: "Rise up-.TVemble, ye women that are at ease...gird sackcloth upon your loins. They shall lament for the teats, for the
pleasant fields, for the fruitful.vine...Until the spirit be poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness be a fruitful field, and the fruitful field be counted for a forest" (Isaiah32:9-18; 1:18-19).
The prophecy of Joel is a classic call for a world-wide revival: "Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast call a solemn assembly: Gather the people, sanctify the congregation,...Let the priests, the nunisters of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say. Spare
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Soteriology • Salvation ♦ 241