Compare God's warning in Exodus 33:5 with His patience in other Scriptures. Setting the Scene in Exodus 33:5 • “For the LORD had said to Moses, ‘Tell the Israelites, “You are a stiff-necked people. If I were to go with you for even a moment, I would destroy you. Now take off your ornaments, and I will decide what to do with you.” ’” • Context: Israel has just worshiped the golden calf (Exodus 32). God’s holiness cannot overlook open rebellion. • Key notes: – “Stiff-necked” underscores chronic resistance. – “Destroy you” shows judgment is not a vague threat but a near certainty apart from repentance. – “I will decide what to do” leaves a door open for mercy, hinting at God’s patience even within the warning. What the Warning Reveals about God • Holiness: Sin invites immediate judgment. • Nearness: God’s presence among a sinful people is dangerous without atonement. • Love even in threat: The command to remove ornaments is a call to humble repentance, not instant annihilation. Snapshots of God’s Patience Elsewhere in Scripture • Exodus 34:6 – Right after the warning, God proclaims Himself “slow to anger and abounding in loving devotion and truth.” • Psalm 103:8 – “The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion.” • Jonah 4:2 – Even Nineveh’s prophet confesses God is “slow to anger,” sparing a pagan city that repents. • Isaiah 30:18 – “Therefore the LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore He rises to show you compassion.” • Romans 2:4 – His kindness and restraint are meant to lead sinners to repentance. • 2 Peter 3:9 – “The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise… but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.” Threads that Tie Warning and Patience Together • Warning and patience are not opposites; they work together. – Warning exposes guilt; patience provides time to respond. • God’s unchanging character: He is both “consuming fire” (Deuteronomy 4:24) and “abounding in loving devotion” (Exodus 34:6). • The cross reconciles the tension: judgment falls on Christ so mercy can flow to the repentant (Romans 3:25-26). Living in the Tension Today • Take sin seriously—God still warns. • Don’t mistake patience for indifference—repent promptly. • Let gratitude for God’s forbearance fuel obedience and worship. |
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