Devotions: Shared Compassion

Thus says the Lord, “For three transgressions of Edom and for four I will not revoke its punishment, Because he pursued his brother with the sword, While he stifled his compassion; His anger also tore continually, And he maintained his fury forever. So I will send fire upon Teman And it will consume the citadels of Bozrah.”

Amos 1:11-12 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

The people of Edom were the descendants of Esau, brother of Jacob. They were cousins to the Jews and should have been first in line to help them in times of need. Instead, they ridiculed the Jews when they were captured and even helped the enemy defeat them. They betrayed their kinship. They stifled compassion. For that offense, God wiped them out. Their lack of compassion caused God to no longer have compassion on them, even though they too were descendants of Abraham and Isaac. God is full ready to give compassion, but He will not have compassion on those who have no compassion for others, just as He will not forgive those who do not forgive others. He has already shown compassion to us. He sent His Son to die for our sins, paying the debt we owe when we could never earn or deserve it. That alone is greater compassion than we could ever warrant. We have a choice; to accept His compassion and show it ourselves, or to reject His compassion by not showing it to others. We are no better than any other. No one deserves it. Who are we to withhold it from anyone for any reason? Are we better than God?

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