DevoBlogging – Day 54
Numbers 16, 17, 18
It is hard not read these chapters of Numbers and not come away with a picture of God whose wrath is immediate, expedient and complete. Those who would stand against Moses, Aaron, and God are quickly swallowed up by the ground. When I read these passages I am glad that I am a part of a Christian tradition that focused first on the loving aspects of God. I can never remember be afraid of God. Lack of fear does not mean there is lack of respect for God. This does not mean that there have not been times in my life when I know that I have disappointed God. I think that this is because I was taught from an early age that you had to pay attention to what The Bible says more than you need to pay attention to specific verses of The Bible says. This is why it is important for us to read the Bible all the way through.
We cannot read the Bible and not see the wrath of God wielded in powerful and horrific ways. We will see that this not only an Old Testament trait of the almighty. The wrath of God is seen in the New Testament as well. We will continue to come across actions of God against enemies and followers. The good news is that after we see God’s anger on display we all see God offering a way for reconciliation. Each time I read certain portions of scripture I think like the Israelites, “The earth will swallow [me] too! (Numbers 16:34)” Then I read on and find God already making a new way.
