[:en]In a court proceeding, if the defendant is innocent, he is acquitted. But if he is guilt, he must face his sentence.
God is both a refuge and a judge to the people of Nineveh. When Jonah went to preach God’s forgiveness, the people of Nineveh repented and the land was saved. After 100 years, Nineveh plotted evil against the Lord and counsels wickedness. (Nahum 1:11). So Nahum detailed the destruction of Nineveh.
God is both just and merciful. Some people think God as just, so He will always exact punishment. Others think that God is merciful, so He will always forgive. How can then justice and mercy be combined? Justice is implemented when Jesus bore our sins in His body on the cross for us to live for righteousness. Mercy is given when God the Father forgives us. God’s justice and mercy intersect at the cross. But justice always precedes mercy.
“And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8)[:]