Character of God: 2E - Compassion

The word “compassionate” is the very first word God uses to describe himself to Moses on Mount Sinai. It might be surprising to learn that compassion is a deeply emotional word—one used to convey the strong bond between a parent and their child. God is portrayed as a compassionate parent throughout Scripture—both as a mother and a father. And he is shown to respond to the cries of his people not only with deep emotion but also with action. Ultimately, the compassion of Yahweh is embodied in the person of Jesus, who lives and dies to take humanity’s suffering upon himself and restore the bond between God and humanity. As followers of Jesus, we too are called to embody the compassion of Yahweh and extend his deep care to our community and world.

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If you tried to describe what God is like,
it could be difficult or daunting.

But when the people who wrote
the Bible pondered the mystery of God,

they consistently described
God's character in this way:

"Compassionate and gracious,

slow to anger,

overflowing with
loyal love and faithfulness."

The very first word used
in this description of God

is "compassionate",
or in Hebrew, 'rakhum'.

This word also appears as a noun,
'rakhamim', or compassion.

And what's fascinating is
that both of these words are related

to the Hebrew word for womb, 'rekhem'.

So compassion in the Hebrew Bible
is centered in a person's core,

and the word invites us

to imagine a mother's tender feelings
for her vulnerable infant.

So rakhum is a word
that conveys intense emotion.

Sometimes it's even
translated as "deeply moved,"

like in the story of King Solomon.

who meets two women
who've just given birth.

One of their babies sadly dies,
but then both women claim

that the baby still living is theirs.

As a test, Solomon says
to cut the baby in two,

and give each mother a half,

and the baby's
real mother is deeply moved.

She would rather the other woman
take her baby than see her child die.

And it's her compassion
that reveals that she's the true mother.

But rakhum isn't just an emotional word,

it also involves action.

And surprisingly,
the word is used most often

to describe God's actions
motivated by His emotions.

Like when the Israelites
are suffering and oppressed in Egypt,

God hears their cries
and is compelled by His compassion,

His rakhamim, to rescue them.

Then, as the Israelites
travel through the dangerous wilderness,

they're hungry
and thirsty and God is rakhum,

caring for them as His own child.

He provides everything they need:

food, water, and clothing,
as He personally guides them.

So it's no surprise
that when Yahweh reveals His character

to the Israelites in the wilderness,
He begins by saying He's compassionate.

But despite Yahweh's continual rakhamim,

the Israelites turn away
from Him time and again.

They reject Yahweh's compassion

and instead give
their allegiance to other gods.

And rather than showing compassion
to each other, they do violence.

And their rebellion results in exile,
and they're scattered among the nations.

And it's in this
dark moment in Israel's story

that we come to the book of Isaiah,
where Yahweh compares Himself to a mother

full of rakhamim toward her baby.

He says, "Can a mother forget her
nursing child, or have no compassion,"

– or rakhamim –
on "the child of her womb?"

"Even if she forgets,
I will not forget you!"

God is full of motherly compassion,
and He will rescue His people.

And as you read further in Isaiah,
you realize that God is going to do this

by entering into
the suffering of humanity.

And this points forward
to a time when Jesus comes on the scene.

He is Yahweh's deep
compassion become human.

In Greek, the word
"compassion" is 'oiktirmos'.

And as Jesus embraces
the sick and cares for the outcast,

He's deeply moved by human suffering.

Jesus compares Himself
to a mother hen using her wings

to shield her chicks from danger
as He gathers people into His embrace.

And in the ultimate
expression of oiktirmos,

Jesus is moved by compassion

to enter into humanity's
suffering, into death itself,

to rescue and bring us near to God.

And it's this same life of compassion
that Jesus calls His followers to imitate,

allowing ourselves
to be moved by the pain of others,

to embrace the hurting,

and to participate
in relieving suffering in the world.

In this way, we too can
embody the compassion of Yahweh,

or in Jesus's words: "Be compassionate
just as your Father is compassionate."

Now you can see how fitting it is
that "compassionate" is the first word

God uses to describe Himself.

So, when we're in pain
or see others suffering,

we can be certain
that God is deeply moved to respond

and that he's there
to meet us with his deep compassion.