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He Exalts Himself to Show Mercy

I recently read a very interesting verse in the English Standard Version (ESV) of the Bible.  While I’m not entirely sure what to make of it, I am very intrigued by it.  The verse is:  “Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you.  For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.” (Isa 30:18 – emphasis mine)

 If God exalts himself to show mercy, what could that possibly mean?

 I looked at some other versions of the Bible in an effort to answer that question:

 “He waits on high to have compassion on you” (NASB)

 “therefore he will rise up to show you compassion”  (NIV)

 “he sits on his throne, ready to have compassion on you”  (NET)


 Comparing versions didn’t really seem to help so I looked at some online dictionary definitions of the word exalt.  Exalt is to:

 1.  Raise in rank, power, or character;

2.  Elevate by praise or in estimation, glorify;

3.  Raise high;

4.  Enhance the activity of, intensify.

 

The online dictionaries also included some examples of how the word is used in sentences:

“His behavior has exalted the power and prestige of his office.”

“The essay exalts the simple beauty of the country.”

 

Well I can’t say I am a whole lot closer to answering the question and, after considering the definitions, more questions actually came to mind:

.

Could it be that when God shows mercy He exalts Himself?

Could it be that God enhances or intensifies the quality of mercy because of who He is?

 

As I’ve considered these things further, I’ve wondered if the King James Version worded it in a way that provides some clarity:  “And therefore will the Lord wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the Lord is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.”

Well, it helped in some ways but I still can’t say I have it all sorted out.  However, I think I can mention some things that appear to be true from that verse:

  • God is gracious;
  • God shows mercy;
  • God is a God of justice;
  • We are blessed when we wait for Him.

 

The answer to the original question still remains a bit unclear.  But, when all is said and done, I believe I can say that His grace and mercy are so very amazing.  And somehow, when He extends them to us, it appears that He exalts Himself.

From that, perhaps I should be so bold to pray, Lord please do exalt yourself even more that I may be blessed!

 

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