God's Love in Times of Suffering: How Divine Mercy Operates Even in Judgment

One of the clearest proofs of God’s love for His people, even during times of punishment, is His constant, providential care — protecting and benefitting us even in moments of judgment.

When a person is sentenced to prison, what kindness does he experience there? He’s cut off from his family, from friends, deprived of daylight, and he experiences no mercy.

In God’s dealings with His people, even during periods of punishment, we can see acts of divine kindness intertwined with judgment.

When looking back to the exile in Egypt, in that harsh era of "They embittered their lives with hard labor," the Torah also tells us, "The children of Israel were fruitful, increased abundantly, multiplied, and grew exceedingly mighty, and the land was filled with them." Despite Pharaoh's decrees, the harder they oppressed the Israelites, the more they flourished, as it says, "But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew." Rashi explains that while the Egyptians intended to diminish Israel through oppression (since suffering typically reduces fertility), God’s heart was directed toward increasing and strengthening them.

Interstingly, the Levites were not subjected to harsh slavery in Egypt, yet they remained the smallest of all the tribes. One would expect the opposite — that their numbers would surpass the others since they were spared from enslavement. The Ramban explains that God's decree was clear: “The more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied.” Only those who endured the suffering were blessed with exponential growth. Since the tribe of Levi was not under the curse, they were likewise not included in the specific blessing.

This dynamic continues in our present exile. Even during times of divine judgment, we see God's mercies at work, in our daily sustenance and in the ongoing miracles protecting us from annihilation, even as our enemies scheme against us.

Consider how many dangers we’ve been saved from in Israel over the past several decades. Numerous wars and existential threats have loomed over us since the establishment of the state, and yet, our very existence here is a daily miracle. Likewise, our Jewish brothers and sisters in the Diaspora live relatively peacefully, many enjoying material abundance and a life of Torah and mitzvot.

As it is written (Leviticus 26:44): “Yet even then, when they are in the land of their enemies, I will not reject them or abhor them to destroy them utterly and break My covenant with them.” This is reinforced by promises of redemption (Deuteronomy 30:3-5): “Then the Lord your God will bring back your captives and have mercy upon you… Even if your exiles are at the ends of the heavens, from there He will gather you… and will make you more prosperous and numerous than your ancestors.”

Similarly, the prophet Jeremiah (30:7) foretells: “It is a time of trouble for Jacob, but he shall be saved from it,” and Isaiah (63:9) assures: “In all their affliction, He was afflicted, and the angel of His presence saved them; in His love and pity, He redeemed them.”

A clear example of this was the Gulf War, when Iraq fired 39 missiles at Israel. Despite the devastation potential, only one person in Israel was killed, whereas similar missiles launched at Saudi Arabia caused dozens of fatalities. This is not merely chance, but divine mercy shielding us even in times of judgment.

Our Sages foresaw that the period preceding the final redemption would be one of immense hardship, known as “the birth pangs of the Messiah.” So severe would this period be that the Talmudic Sages declared: “Let him (the Messiah) come, but I do not wish to see it.” They were referring not to the redemption itself, but to the painful transition between exile and redemption — a time of great suffering for the Jewish people. Yet, here we are, living through that very time, as agreed upon by all leading rabbis. Despite this, we see immense mercy intertwined with judgment: the Jewish people lives, prospers, and celebrates daily, surrounded by countless acts of divine kindness even amidst the throes of exile.

An Unmistakable Sign of God's Unchanging Love in Times of Judgment

There’s an undeniable proof of God's unwavering love for His people, even when the attribute of judgment is upon them — when circumstances outwardly reflect anger, abandonment, or rejection.

Consider an employer furious with his worker, scolding and punishing him. Is this the moment for the worker to request a raise or a promotion? Of course not.

With God however, the dynamic is different. A person under judgment, seemingly under divine anger, is never exempt from prayer. He is obligated to pray for himself and for his family, and to seek mercy. On the contrary, his prayers at such times are even more desired, as it says (Psalms 51:19): “A broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.” 

It must be that God's love never diminishes, even for a moment. Even when the attribute of judgment is present, it is not at the expense of divine love. In fact, these periods are designed to draw a person closer to God. It is therefore precisely in these moments that a person should pour out his heart in prayer, for these are times when his requests are most welcome.