Why God Cares—And Why That Matters for Us
When people talk about “divine pathos,” they mean that God is not just a distant, unfeeling ruler in the sky. Instead, God is deeply moved by the events in the world. He shares in the feelings, sorrows, and joys of human life. In other words, God has emotions. He cares about what happens to people, especially those who are hurting or treated unfairly.
God Feels With Us
Some religions or philosophies say that God is “impassable”—meaning God can’t be affected by emotions. But the idea of divine pathos is the opposite: God is moved by the suffering, injustice, and pain of humanity. Abraham Heschel, a famous Jewish theologian, explains this concept. The messages of the prophets in the Bible show that God feels deeply about human behavior.1 God is emotionally affected by people’s actions. If people are kind and fair, God rejoices. If people abuse, neglect, or oppress others, God feels grief. This is especially true for those who are weak. God feels anger when they have no one to defend them.
God Cares About Justice
The Bible repeatedly describes God as a defender of the most vulnerable. This includes widows, orphans, immigrants, and the poor. These are people who, in ancient times, had little or no social power. Today, we add refugees, the homeless, single parents, or elderly people living alone. God is described as a “father to the fatherless” and a protector of widows (Psalm 68:5). That means God’s heart is especially close to those who are left out, mistreated, or pushed to the margins.
What Does Justice Mean?
In the Bible, the idea of justice is much deeper than simply punishing those who do wrong. The Hebrew word “mishpat” means ensuring people get what’s right and fair. This is punishment for hurting others. It also be protection and help for those in need. It’s about giving people their due, whether that’s care, support, or consequences for bad actions.
Another Hebrew word, “tzadeqah,” is often translated as “righteousness.” But this isn’t just personal morality, like obeying rules or praying. It’s about living in right relationships with others—dealing fairly, kindly, and generously with everyone, every day.
How Should We Respond?
These ideas add up to a powerful point. If God cares deeply about justice, then we should care too. He is moved by the suffering of vulnerable people. True justice isn’t just about laws or courts—it’s about how we treat others, especially those who can’t fight for themselves.
- If you see someone being mistreated, speak up or help in any way you can.
- If you have extra, share with those who have less.
- Support organizations and efforts that work for fairness and compassion—like helping the homeless, elderly, or abused.
Why It Matters
The bottom line is this: The Bible teaches that God is not distant or indifferent. God is emotionally involved in our world—feeling joy when we do good, feeling pain when people are hurt. God’s justice is about more than rules; it’s about love, compassion, and right relationships. To mirror God’s heart, we need to care about justice. We should also look out for the vulnerable, just like God does.
Minister A Francine Green
June 2025
Footnotes:
- Abraham J. Heschel, The Prophets (New York: HarperCollins, 1962)
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