You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, long suffering and abundant in mercy and truth. Oh, turn to me, and have mercy on me! Give Your strength to Your servant. (Psalm 86:15-16)
When Moses appeared before God to receive the second set of the tablets of the Law, the Almighty described Himself as being “merciful and gracious, long suffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin” (Exodus 34:6-7). In the verses above, David reiterates what had already been established by God Himself — the Lord is far more merciful than He is judgmental. That being said, David still found it necessary to appeal to the Lord that He would turn His face toward him and have mercy. This situation prompts a question for us to ponder: why does it seem that God is abundantly patient with the wicked but very quick to correct His people?
David acknowledged that God is long suffering, which is to say that He is slow to anger — in other words, patient. But is it possible that, from our perspective, He seems to be overly patient with those who do not serve Him? At the same time, does it not seem that He will not let us get away with anything? Interestingly, the Hebrew word that is translated as long suffering could literally be rendered as “faces.” Noting this, rabbinical commentators offer this notion for consideration. To the wicked, God presents a “face” that is good-natured and friendly. And because the wicked man is permitted to continue on for a long time, seemingly without consequence, it appears to the righteous that the wicked actually prosper and are happy in their treacherous lifestyle (Jeremiah 12:1).
While the wicked prosper, the righteous are subjected to suffering and tribulation. It is as if God’s “face” to them is stern and expectant; when they fall into transgression the rod of correction is there to bring them back into line. And while He is quick to correct us, it seems as if He is slow to reward our service with deliverance and redemption. In other words, shouldn’t He be quick to judge the wicked and quick to bring us victory? Shouldn’t He be slow to administer punishment to His own children and slow to prosper those who rebel against Him?
While I would stress that our perspective at times may not be reality, I do believe that many of us have thought along these lines from time to time. But consider: our parents expected more of us than they did someone else’s children. My dad didn’t come down on other kids as swiftly as he did with me when I did something offensive. If other kids misbehaved in his presence, he might bite his tongue, smile and carry on; if I got out of line, his correction would be quick, and in some cases, harsh. Why? Because I was his son.
The point is this: contrary to what it may seem, God is not two-faced; God is just, holy and forgiving. What might seem to us to be God ignoring the actions of the wicked is, in reality, God giving the wicked man ample time to repent before it is too late. If they die unrepentant, eternal punishment is their lot — something that He does not desire. And while it seems that God is content to let us suffer long, the reality is that the suffering in this existence purges us of the carnal inclination, which is a necessary part of the redemptive process. But in the end, if we are faithful, the Messiah will say to us, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord” (Matthew 25:21). So which face would you rather see? The answer has eternal ramifications.
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
Recent Comments