God is slow to anger and abounds in mercy.
Even when pronouncing judgment on pagan nations, He reminds us through his prophets of His patience towards all.
The words of Amos, who was among the sheepbreeders of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel, two years before the earthquake. And he said: "The LORD roars from Zion, And utters His voice from Jerusalem; The pastures of the shepherds mourn, And the top of Carmel withers." Thus says the LORD: "For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four, I will not turn away its punishment, Because they have threshed Gilead with implements of iron. But I will send a fire into the house of Hazael, Which shall devour the palaces of Ben-Hadad.
(Amo 1:1-4)
This statement of 'for three transgressions . . . and for four' is repeated eight times in Amos chapters one and two. If God is this patient with the unbelieving nations of the world, how much more patient do you think He is with His own.
Some have said that this is saying that after the first evil He rebukes; after the second He warns; after the third He pronounces judgment; and after the fourth He executes His judgment.
Though God may bare long with wickedness, He will not be mocked. In Amos’ day, the nations, as well as Judah and Israel had all crossed the line, exhausting the patience of a longsuffering God, and as a result He judges in His wrath, and chastises in His mercy.
The LORD is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.
(Psa 103:8)
The LORD is gracious and full of compassion, Slow to anger and great in mercy.
(Psa 145:8)
Yours in Him,
Pastor B.
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