Slow To Anger And Plenteous In Mercy

by J.M. Gault, Portslade | Category: General | Feb 1979

Thou shalt not make unto thee a graven image, nor the likeness of any form that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, upon the third and upon the fourth generation of them that hate Me: and shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love Me and keep My commandments (Exod. 20:4-6).

These words show how seriously God regarded the disobedience which expressed itself in the worship of other gods. Idolatry was rebellion against God, and it brought its own dire consequences upon the guilty person; but more than that, because of the divine anger there would be a continuing effect upon the family, and their descendants, to the third and fourth generation. The commandment went on to say, however, that those who loved God, and kept His commandments, would not only be blessed in their own persons, but that the blessing would be upon their descendants for a thousand generations (see RV margin and Deut. 7:9).

This truth gives the matter true perspective, and shows how great a contrast there is between the anger of God and His love and mercy. A thousand generations could span twenty thousand years; a much longer period of time than is likely to be required for the earthly history of the human race; so in effect the commandment is really saying that God's mercy and kindness are infinite towards those who love Him, far exceeding His anger and jealousy towards those who hate Him.

Such words are a serious reminder of the effect our actions can have upon others for good, or for ill. Our disobedience will not only affect our own lives, but may also have far-reaching consequences for others. By contrast, however, how wonderful is the thought that obedience to the Word of God will bring its blessedness in one's own experience, and may also bring untold blessing upon our progeny, and perhaps upon many others besides!

In Psalm 30:5, David expressed similar thoughts about the mercy of God. "For His anger is but for a moment; In His favour is life" ("His favour is for a life-time" RV margin). David had known this in his own experiences with God, and expresses the same thought in Psalm 103:8-9, where he speaks of God as

"full of compassion and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide; neither will He keep His anger for ever".

God Himself speaks in a similar way to Israel by Isaiah the prophet. "For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. In overflowing wrath I hid My face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer" (Isa. 54:7-8).

It was a dark moment of wrath and judgement when, at the cross, God hid His face from His beloved Son; when He laid upon Him the iniquity of us all. However, the moment passed, and in the outshining of eternal mercy to mankind the darkness gave way to the light of the glory of the risen Christ. The anger of God was satisfied, and there is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. The favour of God now shines upon us eternally.

"What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not also with Him freely give us all things?" (Rom. 8:31-32).

J.M. Gault, Portslade | Feb 1979
General