THE STORY OF JESUS: 2 Kings 23-25
“It was because of the Lord’s anger that all this happened.” (2 Kings 24:20)
Our language for God does not fully or fairly represent God.
When we describe God as loving, we use human love as our comparison.
But God’s love is purer and better than human love.
The same is true for God’s anger; God’s anger is purer and better than human love.
The fullest revelation of God is that He is perfect, self-giving love.
That He endured so long with Israel’s sin shows the extent of that love.
And when He finally gives them over to their sin, He is not burning with rage.
God’s anger is perfect love in action, it is just and generous.
He finally gives the people what they want: life without Him to be a bother.
“He thrust them from his presence.” (2 Kings 24:20)
People who want to be without God, His will or His interference, will one day get it.
Because He loves us, He will give us what we want… and it won’t be pretty.
But even then, as with the prodigal son (Luke 15), the door will still be open.
His loving anger will let us go, but His loving mercy will welcome us back.
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, through Your life and death we see how far God’s loving anger and mercy will go to bring us back. Forgive us for accusing God of human rage, and help us understand God’s loving anger!