Micah 7:18 Who is a God like to you, that pardons iniquity, and passes by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage?… The prophet speaks these words in a transport. He is telling us something about God which drew his wonder and amazement. It was God's pardoning mercy to His sinful creatures. I. WHOM GOD PARDONS. "The remnant of His heritage." The reference is to the Jews, but the expression is equally descriptive, in all ages, of those whom the Lord pardons. They are but a small remnant of a sinful world. All need pardon, but multitudes die without having received pardon. Men like to hear of pardon, but they like not the way in which God offers to bestow it on them. Those whom the Lord pardons are also called "His heritage," or His inheritance, His portion, His property. The term is frequently applied to Israel, but it is applicable, in a stricter sense, to that company of pardoned sinners who constitute the Church of Christ. They are, peculiarly, eternally, the Lord's heritage. How many belong to this heritage of God we know not. II. HOW DOES GOD PARDON? Observe the variety of expressions which the prophet uses. Literally it is "who beareth iniquity," and it refers to the way in which the Lord pardoneth sinners by bearing their iniquities Himself. He hath caused them to rest like a tremendous burden on His own sacred head, and what sinners themselves deserved to suffer, He hath suffered in their room. The prophet also says, "He passeth by the transgression." Here is the consequence of a man's coming to the Cross, of his putting faith in what the Saviour has been doing for him. God "passeth by" that man's "transgression," just as He passed over the blood-sprinkled houses in Egypt. The prophet says, "He will turn again, He will have compassion upon us." Here is another representation of the riches of God's pardoning grace. And what an affecting representation does it give of God's tender dealing towards the penitent transgressor! The prophet says, "He will subdue our iniquities." Here our iniquities are considered in the light of formidable enemies rising up against us to destroy us. What will God do on behalf of those who make His Son their Saviour? He will "subdue" both their past and their present iniquities. The last expression the prophet uses is, "Thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea." Here is indicated the extent of God's pardon, and the completeness of it. The pardon is final, unchangeable, eternal. III. WHY DOES GOD PARDON? What moves the Holy and the Just to save a remnant of His guilty creatures from destruction? The text does not answer in a way to flatter man; as if any estimable qualities in him were the moving cause of Divine compassions, The reason is "because He delighteth in mercy." It is, as it were, His favourite attribute. He hath pleasure in mercy. Gladly do the redeemed of the Lord ascribe every tittle of their blessedness to the mercy of their God. (A. Roberts, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. |
    |