Compare Jeremiah 3:5 with Psalm 103:8 on God's mercy and anger. Scripture Focus “‘Will He be angry forever? Will He be indignant to the end?’ … Yet you have spoken and done all the evil you could.” “The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion.” What Jeremiah 3:5 Reveals about God’s Anger • Israel hears God ask rhetorically if His anger will last forever—highlighting that His wrath is real and provoked by persistent sin. • The context (vv. 1–13) shows Judah treating covenant faithlessness lightly; the verse exposes continual rebellion, not divine fickleness. • The implied answer is “No, He will not stay angry endlessly,” yet the people’s unrepentant behavior keeps judgment active. • Key truth: God’s anger is righteous, measured, and responsive to human conduct (cf. Isaiah 57:16; Hosea 11:8-9). What Psalm 103:8 Reveals about God’s Mercy • Four attributes stand out: compassion, grace, slowness to anger, and overflowing loving devotion (ḥesed). • The verse is a direct echo of God’s self-revelation in Exodus 34:6, underscoring covenant faithfulness. • “Slow to anger” affirms that wrath is not God’s first impulse; mercy governs His posture toward His people. • Key truth: God’s covenant love motivates patience and forgiveness (cf. Micah 7:18-19; Lamentations 3:22-23). Side-by-Side Insights • Same God, two facets: – Jeremiah highlights the seriousness of continued sin. – Psalm 103 celebrates the enduring mercy available when sin is confessed. • Duration of anger: – Jeremiah poses the question—God will not be angry “forever,” but judgment remains while rebellion persists. – Psalm 103 confirms He is “slow to anger,” indicating restraint and willingness to forgive. • Basis of mercy: – Jeremiah requires repentance (Jeremiah 3:12-13). – Psalm 103 roots mercy in God’s character, culminating in forgiveness “as far as the east is from the west” (v. 12). • Harmony, not contradiction: divine wrath and mercy operate together; holiness demands justice, love provides a path to restoration. Supporting Passages • Exodus 34:6-7—foundation for both texts: “The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious…” • Joel 2:13—“Rend your hearts… for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger.” • Romans 2:4—God’s kindness is meant to lead to repentance. • Jonah 4:2—Even reluctant Jonah knew the LORD is “slow to anger and abounding in loving devotion.” Practical Takeaways • Never presume upon grace; unrepentant sin invites God’s disciplined anger. • Never despair under conviction; His compassionate nature is eager to forgive when we return. • Hold together the twin truths: God’s holiness means anger at sin is real, yet His love means mercy triumphs when repentance meets the cross of Christ (1 John 1:9; Romans 5:8-9). |
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