AN ANGRY GOD?

God describes Himself to Moses in Exodus 34 when they meet on Mt. Siani. He whispers in Moses’ ear:

“Yahweh, Yahweh, a God compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, overflowing with loyal-love and faithfulness. Loyal love for thousands, forgiving iniquity, transgressions, and sin.” (Ex 34:6-7)

Notice that God describes Himself as compassionate and gracious before He says, ‘slow to anger’. After that, He continues by saying that He is also abounding in loyal-love and faithfulness. In other words, God’s description of ‘slow to anger’ is sandwiched between four other characteristics that emphasize God’s qualities that we utterly depend upon. Also, what kind of God would not be angry at evil and injustice, the desecration of the image of God in each person, and the way people demean, abuse, and demoralize one another? While God is angry at the sin, He is on a rescue mission to restore us back to Himself. The very next sentence, God says that He has “Loyal love for thousands, forgiving iniquity, transgressions, and sin.” (Ex 34:7). God’s goal is not punishment but restoration. He wants to have a relationship with people, not to condemn them. 

We see God’s self-described attributes demonstrated in His Son, Jesus. 

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)

Jesus’ goal is for everyone to repent. Therefore, He is slow to anger and slow to judge. No sin, no transgression, no iniquity can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. The Father and the Son are in the business of rescuing the world. They are working on our behalf so that we can know Him, be restored by Him, and live for Him.

The God of the Old and New Testament, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, is angry with the sin that mars His creation while compassionate, gracious, showing loyal-love and faithfulness to people. He desires nothing more than to exchange His blessings for your sins. God has dealt with sin once and for all in Jesus. He wants to give you life now and forever with Him.

Blessings,

Jonathan