Imitate Jehovah's Compassion

"Jehovah, Jehovah, a God merciful and compassionate." -EXODUS 34:6.


ON ONE occasion, God revealed himself to Moses by declaring His name and some of his qualities.  Jehovah could have emphasized his power or wisdom, but instead, he first spoke of his mercy and compassion.  (Read Exodus 34:5-7)   Moses needed to know if Jehovah would support him.  So Jehovah emphasized qualities that show that he really wants to help his servants.  (Exodus 33:13) How does it make you feel to know that Jehovah cares so much for us?  This article will focus on compassion, which is sympathy for the suffering of others and the desire to help them.

Jehovah is compassionate, and humans were made in his image.  So it is natural for humans to care about others. Even those who do not know Jehovah often show compassion.  For example. when Solomon needed to find out which of the two women was the mother of a baby,  he tested them by ordering that the baby be cut in half.  The mother felt deep compassion for  her baby, so she pleaded with the king to let the other woman have him.  (1 Kings 3:23-27) Another example of compassion is Pharaoh's daughter.  When she found baby Moses, she realized that he was a Hebrew and was suppose to be killed. But "she felt compassion for him," and she decided to raise him as her own son. -Exodus 2:5, 6.

Why should we learn more about compassion?  Because Jehovah wants us to imitate him.  (Ephesians 5:1)  Even though we were created to be compassionate, we are imperfect and tend to be selfish.  Sometimes it may not be easy for us to decide whether to help other people or to focus on ourselves. What can help us to be more interested in others?  First, let us examine how Jehovah and others have shown compassion.  Second, let us see how we can imitate God's compassion and why it is good for us to do so.

Next time: Imitate Jehovah's Compassion-JEHOVAH - THE PERFECT EXAMPLE OF COMPASSION

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