Slow to Anger and Abounding in Love

One of the great God’s great self-declarations was given by Himto Moses on his second trip up the mountain in Exodus 34:6-8:

“And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, ‘The Lord,the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding inlove and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgivingwickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; hepunishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to thethird and fourth generation.’”

We see here the truth that upset Jonah:

“But Jonah was greatly displeased and became angry. Heprayed to the Lord, ‘O Lord, is this not what I said when I was still at home?That is why I was so quick to flee to Tarshish. I knew that you are a graciousand compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relentsfrom sending calamity. Now, O Lord, take away my life, for it is better for meto die than to live” (Jonah 4:1-3).

God was not angry. Jonah, however, was angry because God wasnot.

We see the same slowness to anger as a requirement forChristians:

“My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should bequick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger doesnot bring about the righteous life that God desires” (James 1:19-20).

Normally, anger is not a virtue. It should not be impetuous,must be over by sundown, and must be gotten rid of.

“‘In your anger do not sin’: Do not let the sun go downwhile you are still angry…. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawlingand slander, along with form of malice” (Ephesians 4:26, 31).

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How To Be Free From Bitterness and other essays on Christian relationships