Friday: Further Thought – The Wrath of Divine Love
Daily Lesson for Friday 31st of January 2025
Read Ellen G. White, “Idolatry at Sinai,” Pages 315–330, in Patriarchs and Prophets.
Image © Stan Myers from GoodSalt.com
In the context of the sin of the golden calf, Ellen G. White wrote: “The Israelites had been guilty of treason, and that against a King who had loaded them with benefits and whose authority they had voluntarily pledged themselves to obey. That the divine government might be maintained justice must be visited upon the traitors. Yet even here God’s mercy was displayed. While He maintained His law, He granted freedom of choice and opportunity for repentance to all. Only those were cut off who persisted in rebellion.
“It was necessary that this sin should be punished, as a testimony to surrounding nations of God’s displeasure against idolatry. By executing justice upon the guilty, Moses, as God’s instrument, must leave on record a solemn and public protest against their crime. As the Israelites should hereafter condemn the idolatry of the neighboring tribes, their enemies would throw back upon them the charge that the people who claimed Jehovah as their God had made a calf and worshiped it in Horeb. Then though compelled to acknowledge the disgraceful truth, Israel could point to the terrible fate of the transgressors, as evidence that their sin had not been sanctioned or excused.
“Love no less than justice demanded that for this sin judgment should be inflicted. . . . It was the mercy of God that thousands should suffer, to prevent the necessity of visiting judgments upon millions. In order to save the many, He must punish the few.”—Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, Pages 324, 325.
Discussion Questions
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The apparent dissonance between the Old Testament God and the New Testament Jesus is always at the heart of discussions about the wrath of God.
First, an Illustration:
I grew up in the hills above the Bay of Plenty in New Zealand. From our farm we looked out over Tauranga, the local city and in the bay beyond was Mayor Island, a small volcanic island with a couple of distinctive peaks covered in bush. I thought I knew Mayor Island well. One day we flew into Tauranga from Auckland. The plane flew out over the bay and over Mayor Island. I did not recognise it from the air. It was round, had black cliffs and towards one end there was a lake. From the air it was a very different looking island and it took me a little while to recognise it as the same island I had been looking at from the farm for over 20 years. I had much to learn about a very familiar object.
Perspective makes a difference and we need to carry that into our understanding of the Old Testament God. I want to make three points with that in mind. I will start with the conclusion:
I submit these, not to cast doubt about the inspiration of the Bible, but as a reminder that the Old Testament is a record of imperfect people like David learning about God
I put the conclusion first because I wanted that idea to colour your reading of the other comments. But, it is worth repeating the idea that Jesus provides us with the aerial view of what was a ground view in the Old Testament.
The concept of divine wrath, on the surface seems contradictory to a God of love, however, it's in perfect harmony with the character of God. How so? I'm glad you ask? Let me try to give you my opinion of why there is no disparity between a God of love and divine wrath.
A perfectly holy, and righteous God must have wrath against evil and sin in order to be holy and righteous. On the surface it seems to be circular reasoning but it's not. How can God be holy and righteous while being accommodating to all that is unrighteous and unholy? It is totally antithetical to his character. There must be a standard of righteousness set by God. His character demands it.
Now there is a time when God "winks" (Acts 17:30-31) at our unrighteousness in our time of ignorance. Thank God that he did, else we would be hopelessly lost.
Jesus is the standard of righteousness, being that he lived his life in human flesh, totally dependent upon his Father for the miracles as well as his victory over every known temptation (in principle) that mankind would ever face. This same righteousness is the only righteousness that will qualify any sinner, from the uttermost, to the "guttermost," to enter heaven.
Sin and evil disrupted God’s perfect universe, first in heaven, then on earth. God cannot and will not accommodate it, or allow it to enter back into heaven. His wrath is directed at the sin and evil. If we choose to hold onto it we will be rightfully destroyed by his righteous holy wrath.
Jesus as the Great Physician is conducting the most delicate of surgeries, a "sin-odectomy", in trying to separate us sinners from our sin without losing the patient, us. May we cooperate with him and let him successfully complete the surgery of separating us from our sin.
Question:
Why do you think so many people struggle with the concept of divine wrath? What helps you to understand it?
Answer:
Many people struggle with the concept of divine wrath because they associate it with human anger, which is often impulsive, vengeful, and unjust. However, the Bible teaches that God's wrath is different—it is a holy and just response to sin and evil. Here are some key reasons why people find it difficult to understand:
1. Misunderstanding God's Character
Some believe that God's wrath contradicts His love. However, 1 John 4:8 states that "God is love," and His wrath is actually a result of His love. He hates sin because it destroys His creation and separates people from Him (Isaiah 59:2).
2. Influence of Human Emotion
People often project their own experiences with anger onto God. Human anger is often uncontrolled and sinful, but God's wrath is always just and measured (Nahum 1:3—"The LORD is slow to anger and great in power").
3. Cultural and Theological Shifts
Modern culture tends to emphasize a "God of love" while ignoring His justice. Many struggle with the idea that a loving God would also punish sin. However, the Bible presents both aspects of God's character—love and justice (Romans 11:22—"Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God").
4. Fear of Judgment
People may reject divine wrath because it implies accountability for sin. The idea of judgment can be uncomfortable, but God’s justice ensures that evil does not go unpunished (Ecclesiastes 12:14—"For God will bring every deed into judgment").
How to Understand Divine Wrath?
Through the Bible – The Bible explains that God's wrath is always righteous (Psalm 7:11—"God is a righteous judge, a God who displays His wrath every day").
By Looking at Jesus – On the cross, Jesus bore the wrath of sin so that we could be saved (Romans 5:9—"We shall be saved from wrath through Him").
Through Ellen G. White's Writings – She explains that God’s wrath is the withdrawal of His presence, allowing sinners to experience the natural consequences of their choices:
"God does not stand toward the sinner as an executioner of the sentence against transgression; but He leaves the rejectors of His mercy to themselves, to reap that which they have sown." (The Great Controversy, p. 36).
Conclusion
Divine wrath is not about cruelty but about justice. It is God's loving response to sin, ensuring that evil will not last forever. Understanding His wrath through Scripture and His character of love helps us see that His justice and mercy work together perfectly.