"The Tender Compassion of Our God"-What Is Compassion?

In the Bible, there is a close relationship between compassion and mercy.   A number of Hebrew and Greek words convey the sense of tender compassion.  Consider, for example, the Hebrew verb ra-cham', which is often rendered "show mercy" or "have pity."  One reference work explains that the verb ra-cham' "expresses  a deep and tender feeling of compassion, which as is aroused by the sight of weakness or suffering in those that are dear to us or need our help."  This Hebrew term, which Jehovah applies to himself, is related to the word for "womb" and can be described as "motherly compassion." -Exodus 33:19; Jeremiah 33:26. 

The Bible uses the feelings that a mother has for her baby to teach us about the meaning of Jehovah's compassion.  At Isaiah 49:15, we read:  "Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should not have compassion [ra-cham'] on the son of her womb?  Yes they may forget, yet I will not forget you." (The Amplified Bible)  That touching description underscores the depth of Jehovah's compassion for his people.  How so? 

Next time: "The Tender Compassion of Our God"-Conclusion of What Is Compassion?

From the book: Draw Close to Jehovah