Learn How God's Anger and Love Work Together

Summary

The video explains the concept of God's anger in the Bible, highlighting that God is described as 'slow to anger.' This phrase is rooted in the Hebrew expression 'erek 'appayim,' meaning 'long of nose,' which symbolizes patience. The video explores how God's anger is not impulsive or arbitrary, but rather a response to human evil and injustice. God's anger is intertwined with His compassion and love, as He gives people time to change and ultimately seeks to restore them. The message emphasizes that God's anger serves justice and is part of His mission to rescue humanity.

Takeaways

• 😇 The Bible describes God's character as 'compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and overflowing with loyal love and faithfulness'.
• 🔍 The phrase 'slow to anger' in Hebrew is 'erek 'appayim', literally meaning 'long of nose', symbolizing patience and a delay in becoming angry.
• 🔥 The common biblical Hebrew way to express anger is through the metaphor of a 'hot nose', indicating the physical manifestation of anger.
• 🌡️ A 'long of nose' person in Hebrew is patient, taking a long time for their 'nose to get hot', reflecting a person's ability to control their anger.
• 👨‍🏫 The biblical proverb 'A person's wisdom is their long nose' highlights the value of patience and slowness to anger as a mark of wisdom.
• 😠 God in the Bible does get angry, but this is a metaphorical expression using human experiences to describe divine reactions to human evil.
• 📚 God's anger in the Bible is an expression of justice and love for the world, but it is tempered by patience, giving people time to change.
• 📖 The story of the Exodus illustrates God's patience, giving Pharaoh multiple chances to change his ways before divine intervention occurs.
• 🛡️ God's anger is often shown by allowing people to face the consequences of their own decisions, as seen in the story of the Israelites and their betrayals.
• ✝️ The apostle Paul in Romans describes God's anger as being revealed against human evil, but also emphasizes God's patience in giving people time to change.
• 🙏 The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus demonstrate how God's anger at evil and love for people work together to provide forgiveness and life for humanity.
• 🌟 God's anger in the Bible is significant, but it is part of a larger narrative of God's goodness, patience, and mission to restore people to His love.

Q & A

How is God's character described in the Bible?

God's character in the Bible is described as 'Compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, overflowing with loyal love and faithfulness.'

What does the phrase 'slow to anger' signify in the context of God's nature?

The phrase 'slow to anger' signifies that God is patient and does not quickly become angry, but rather gives people time to change and repent.

What is the Hebrew expression for 'slow to anger' and what does it literally mean?

The Hebrew expression for 'slow to anger' is 'erek 'appayim,' which literally means 'long of nose.'

Why is a patient person referred to as 'long of nose' in Hebrew?

In Hebrew, a patient person is called 'long of nose' because it takes a long time for their nose to get hot, which is a metaphor for not getting angry quickly.

How is anger typically depicted in the Hebrew language in relation to the body?

In the Hebrew language, anger is typically depicted as a physical sensation of heat, especially in the nose, which is why the main words for anger are 'nose,' 'heat,' or 'hot nose.'

How does the Bible use metaphors to describe God's feelings when witnessing human evil?

The Bible uses metaphors related to our experience of hot anger, such as God's 'nose' getting hot, to describe how God feels when witnessing human evil.

What does the story of the Exodus teach us about God's patience and His dealing with Pharaoh?

The story of the Exodus shows that God gave Pharaoh 10 chances to let the Israelites go free, demonstrating His patience. However, after Pharaoh's refusal, God's anger was expressed by allowing Pharaoh to face the consequences of his own actions.

How is God's anger expressed in the Bible when dealing with the Israelites' repeated betrayals?

God's anger is expressed by giving the Israelites over to the hands of their enemies, allowing them to face the consequences of their decisions to serve other gods.

What does the Apostle Paul say about God's anger in his letter to the Romans?

Paul says that God's anger is revealed against human evil and that it is shown by handing people over to their destructive desires and decisions, even if it leads to death.

How does the story of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection demonstrate God's anger at evil and His love for people?

Jesus' life, death, and resurrection show God's anger at evil and His love for people by providing forgiveness and life for humanity through Jesus standing in the place of His people and taking the consequences of their decisions upon Himself.

What is the ultimate message about God's anger in the Bible?

The ultimate message is that God's anger in the Bible is important but not the end of the story. It is because He is good and patient, working out His plan to restore people to His love.

Outlines

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😇 God's Character: Slow to Anger

The paragraph explores the biblical description of God's character, emphasizing His attribute of being 'slow to anger.' It challenges the common misconception that God is primarily angry, highlighting the nuanced nature of His anger. The Hebrew phrase 'erek 'appayim,' meaning 'long of nose,' is explained as a metaphor for patience, suggesting that it takes a long time for a patient person's 'nose to get hot,' symbolizing anger. The paragraph uses biblical stories, such as Joseph and Potiphar, to illustrate the concept of anger in the Hebrew language and contrasts it with God's nature. It explains that God's anger is an expression of justice and love, and that He gives people ample time to change before acting in judgment.

Keywords

💡God's Character

God's Character is described in the script as 'Compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, overflowing with loyal love and faithfulness.' This phrase sets the tone for the video's exploration of God's nature, emphasizing that despite the common misconception that God is primarily angry, the Bible portrays Him as patient and loving. The video uses this description to contrast with the stereotypical image of an angry deity, illustrating God's patience through the metaphor of a 'long nose' in Hebrew culture.

💡Slow to Anger

'Slow to anger' is a key phrase in the script, directly translated from the Hebrew 'erek 'appayim,' meaning 'long of nose.' It signifies patience and forbearance, suggesting that God does not quickly become angry but gives people ample time to correct their ways. The script uses this concept to explain God's reactions to human sin and evil, showing that His anger is a measured response that allows for repentance and change.

💡Metaphor

Metaphors are used extensively in the script to explain abstract concepts, such as God's emotions. For example, 'long of nose' is a metaphor for patience, and 'hot nose' is used to describe anger. These metaphors help to convey the idea that God's emotions are experienced and expressed in ways that are relatable to human understanding, despite God being beyond human form and experience.

💡Justice

Justice is a fundamental aspect of God's nature discussed in the video. It is portrayed as a driving force behind God's anger when witnessing human evil. The script illustrates this through the story of Pharaoh, where God's anger is seen as a response to Pharaoh's injustices, ultimately leading to Pharaoh facing the consequences of his actions.

💡Love

Love is presented as a core attribute of God, intertwined with His justice. The script explains that God's anger is not an end in itself but a means to express His love for the world and His desire to correct evil. This is exemplified in the story of Jesus, where His sacrifice demonstrates God's love for humanity, even in the face of their wrongdoings.

💡Patience

Patience is highlighted as a significant characteristic of God, indicating that He allows time for people to recognize their mistakes and change. The script refers to God's patience in the context of the Exodus story, where He gives Pharaoh multiple opportunities to repent before enacting justice.

💡Consequences

Consequences are depicted as a natural outcome of human actions, which God uses to express His anger in the script. The video explains that God's anger often involves allowing people to experience the repercussions of their own decisions, as seen in the story of the Israelites and their enslavement under Pharaoh.

💡Rescue

Rescue is a theme that underscores God's mission in the Bible, as mentioned in the script. It is shown through the various instances where God intervenes to save His people from their predicaments, reflecting His love and commitment to restoring them to a right relationship with Him.

💡Self-Destruction

Self-destruction is used in the script to describe the human tendency to make choices that lead to harm or ruin. God's anger is presented as a response to this self-destruction, with His ultimate goal being to rescue people from the consequences of their actions and guide them towards life.

💡Forgiveness

Forgiveness is a crucial concept in the script, linked to God's anger and love. It is shown as the provision of a way for humanity to be reconciled to God despite their sins. The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus are presented as the embodiment of God's forgiveness, offering a path to redemption.

💡Restoration

Restoration is the ultimate goal of God's actions as depicted in the script. It refers to the process of bringing people back into a right relationship with God after they have strayed due to sin. The script illustrates this through the various narratives of God's interventions, culminating in the redemptive work of Jesus.

Highlights

The Bible describes God's character as 'Compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, overflowing with loyal love and faithfulness.'

The phrase 'slow to anger' in Hebrew is 'erek 'appayim', literally meaning 'long of nose', symbolizing patience.

In biblical Hebrew, anger is often associated with a 'hot nose', indicating a physical response to anger.

A 'long nose' in Hebrew signifies a person who takes time to get angry, reflecting wisdom and patience.

God's anger in the Bible is a metaphorical expression of His response to witnessing human evil.

God's patience allows Him to give people numerous opportunities to change before expressing His anger.

The story of the Exodus illustrates God's patience, giving Pharaoh 10 chances to free the Israelites before His wrath.

God's anger is an act of justice, turning Pharaoh's own evil back upon him.

God's anger in the Bible is often shown by allowing people to face the consequences of their own decisions.

The Israelites' repeated betrayals led to God's anger, but it was always followed by Him giving them over to their enemies.

Apostle Paul's letter to the Romans describes God's anger as being revealed against human evil and His patience in giving people time to change.

God's anger is based on His compassion and loyal love, not wanting people to remain in self-destruction.

Jesus' life, death, and resurrection demonstrate God's love for humanity and His anger at evil, providing forgiveness and life.

God's mission in the Bible is to rescue people, which is exemplified by Jesus' sacrifice.

God's anger is important but not the end of the story; it is part of His plan to restore people to His love.

God's patience and plan for restoration are key aspects of His character, as seen in His slowness to anger.

Transcripts

- [Jon] If you tried to describe what God is like,

it could be difficult or daunting,

but when the people who wrote

the Bible pondered the mystery of God,

they consistently describe God's character in this way.

"Compassionate and gracious, slow to anger,

"overflowing with loyal love and faithfulness."

We're going to look at this third phrase

that God is "slow to anger."

Now, that might surprise some people.

Isn't the God of the Bible mostly angry,

striking people down for their sins?

Well, it turns out that God's anger in the Bible

is way more nuanced than that and way more interesting.

In Hebrew, the phrase "slow to anger"

is pronounced 'erek 'appayim,

or literally "long of nose."

But what does God's patience have to do with a long nose?

Well, first,

we need to look at the common biblical Hebrew way

to say that someone is angry: their nose burned hot.

Like in the story of Joseph,

when Potiphar thinks that Joseph tried

to sleep with his wife, his nose burned hot.

It's usually translated "his anger burned."

It's describing how your body, especially your face,

gets hot when you're filled with anger.

And so in Hebrew,

the main words for anger are either "nose,"

or "heat," or "hot nose."

This is why a patient person is called long of nose.

It takes a long time for their nose to get hot.

Like in the biblical proverb,

"A person's wisdom is their long nose."

That is, their slow anger.

Now, in the Bible, God gets angry numerous times,

but God doesn't have a nose or get hot.

These are metaphors using our experience of hot anger

to describe how God feels when he witnesses human evil.

Just like you would get angry

if you saw a child being bullied on the playground,

so God gets angry when humans oppress each other

and ruin his world.

In the Bible,

God's anger is an expression of his justice

and his love for the world.

But he's slow to anger,

which means he gives people lots of time to change.

Like in the story of the Exodus,

when Pharaoh enslaves the Israelites

and has their baby boys thrown into the waters.

God sends Moses to confront Pharaoh.

And Pharaoh is given 10 chances to let Israel go free,

but after the 10th refusal,

Pharaoh rides out with his chariots

to destroy the Israelites.

And so God destroys him in the waters.

Pharaoh's own evil is turned back upon him.

And we read that this is an act of God's hot anger.

Now, that's really intense, but think about it.

God wouldn't be good if he didn't get angry

at Pharaoh's evil

and eventually do something about it.

And notice that God's anger is expressed by handing Pharaoh

over to the consequences of his own decisions.

And this is actually how God's anger

is shown throughout the Scriptures.

Like in the story of the Israelites.

Over and over again for hundreds of years

they betrayed the God who rescued them from slavery.

And though he gives them many chances to turn around,

they keep giving their allegiance

to the gods of other nations.

And each time we read that the hot anger

of God burned against the Israelites,

but notice what always follows.

God gave them over into the hands of their enemies.

Israel wanted to serve the gods of other nations.

And so God in his just anger gives them what they want

as those nations circle back and defeat Israel.

This is similar to what the apostle Paul says

in his letter to the Romans.

He says, "God's anger is being revealed against human evil."

And then three times he says what that looks like.

"God hands people over

"to their destructive desires and decisions,

"even if it leads to death."

But Paul also says,

"God is patient,

giving people time to come to their senses and change."

Because remember, God's anger is a response to human evil.

And it's based on a deeper character trait—

his compassion and his loyal love.

God is not content to let people sit

in their own self-destruction.

In the Bible, God is on a mission to rescue.

This is why Jesus said that he was going to Jerusalem

to die as a demonstration of God's love for his enemies.

He would stand in the place of his people

who were choosing self-destruction

and take the consequences of their decisions upon himself.

In Jesus' life, death,

and resurrection we see God's anger at evil

and his love for people working together

to provide forgiveness

and life for a humanity lost in self-ruin.

So God's anger in the Bible is really important,

but it's not the end of the story.

When God is angry and brings justice,

it's because he's good.

And he's extremely patient,

working out his plan to restore people to his love.

And that's what it means to say that God is slow to anger.