Sunday, February 7, 2010

God is Slow To Anger-- God's Character 3

3. Arak ‘anep:

This means literally, “long to anger” and is usually translated “slow to anger”.

It means that when someone wrongs God or someone else, he doesn’t immediately react with punishment. Rather, God listens and looks. He listens to see if there are extenuating circumstances he should have mercy on. He looks to see the full context of what is really going on. He also speaks to the one who wrongs Him, and speaks gentle words of repentance and restoration.

Jesus spoke of God in this manner in his parable of the vineyard workers. The owner of the vineyard continued to send messengers, even after the workers proved unworthy, even dangerous. The owner did respond in anger, but it took a long time for him to come to that place.

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