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 my other points. 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‐dectomy", 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.
I'm just curious regarding how many of our readers actually read the suggested Ellen White readings often linked on Friday's lesson. This week it is “Idolatry at Sinai,” Pages 315–330, in Patriarchs and Prophets.
It is a bit long to read on a busy Friday, but we look it up earlier in the week and read it for family worship. It gives insight on many topics that have come up in this week's lesson, including the topic on whether or not "God kills."
We try to make it easy for you by linking to the reading, so that you only have to click on the link to read it. Please do so this week, and I believe you will find a blessing in seeing how God's love is active even in apparently terrible judgments.
I read it just now and I noticed things I hadn't before that help us understand God's justice in the face of sin. It definitely provides insight.
The idea of God’s wrath is often misunderstood as an act of unchecked rage, but it is, in fact, a response to injustice, sin, and the violation of His holiness.
What helps me to understand divine wrath is recognizing that God's anger is not like human anger. It's righteous and just. It comes from a place of perfect justice, and it is a necessary component of a holy and moral order. His wrath is always a response to sin and rebellion against His will, but it is also intertwined with His mercy, offering opportunities for repentance and redemption.
When people seek vengeance, they often act out of personal hurt, pride, or a desire for power, and this can result in unchecked violence, bitterness, and escalation. People are fallible, and their judgments can be flawed, driven by emotions or desires that cloud their objectivity. On the other hand, when God seeks vengeance, His judgment is always perfect, based on truth, and carried out with righteousness. There is no room for personal bias or improper motivations. His vengeance is just and serves to restore order, rather than perpetuate harm.
Anyone can have explanations about the result of sin on this planet, but the fact is that whatever went wrong is in the root of freedom of choice. God knows exactly what goes on in everybody's heart. One day He will personally give us all the answers.
Many people struggle with the concept of divine wrath because it can seem contradictory to the idea of a loving, merciful God. The idea of God being angry or executing judgment can feel harsh, especially in light of modern views on kindness and forgiveness. People often see wrath as an expression of cruelty or vengeance, rather than a response to injustice or sin. Additionally, cultural influences that focus on individual autonomy and tolerance can make the idea of divine judgment feel outdated or uncomfortable.
Understanding divine wrath becomes clearer when it's seen as part of God's holiness and justice. In the Bible, God's wrath is often portrayed as His righteous response to sin, corruption, and evil. It's not arbitrary or spiteful but reflects His intolerance for sin and His desire for justice. This wrath isn't incompatible with His love—it exists because of His love for humanity and His desire to protect us from the destructiveness of sin.
For many, accepting this requires faith in the full nature of God, where love and justice are perfectly balanced. What helps is understanding that God's wrath ultimately leads to restoration and reconciliation, which is seen in the redemptive work of Christ, who bore that wrath for humanity.
All unrepented, unforgiven sins will be punished by death and eternal separation from God - but not necessarily immediately. It was necessary for the education of the universe about the true consequences of sin to allow its long term effects to become evident by not immediately killing sinners.
At the time of the Golden Calf incident the government of the Hebrews was a Theocracy, meaning that God was directly in control of their government and His word was law. To disobey God was both sin and grounds for immediate death. That continued until the crowning of Saul to be their King instead of God, and there has not been a Theocracy since.
What about when Samuel killed Agag while Saul was king? Was Samuel just acting on his own?
Please help me understand more how your point of a theocracy makes a difference in the lesson.
I'm obviously not Dave, but perhaps I can help:
We can know for sure that the laws under the theocracy were laws directly dictated by God, thus giving us some insight into His character.
But I think Dave may be thinking about the difference between then and now. Since we are no longer under a theocracy, we are subject to civil laws which are often very different from God's laws, and they are enforced by civil authorities.
We can't go around killing people who disobey God, for instance.
For that matter, under a theocracy, most transgressors had the chance to appear before a judge - except for those who killed another human. Then the next of kin was authorized to kill the killer. If someone caused a death unintentionally, he had to flee to the nearest city of refuge (representing Christ's mediation and salvation) to be safe from the "avenger of blood."
Murderers could not find refuge in the city of refuge - only those who killed unintentionally. What is the lesson for us in that? (For example, is there a difference between murder and killing?)
As to your question re Samuel: He was a prophet - a direct representative of God's authority.
What helps me to understand Divine wrath?
One aspect is the fact that God puts the fear in us, in us wishing we will chose to follow Him.
“As for those of you who are left, I will make their hearts so fearful in the lands of their enemies that the sound of a windblown leaf will put them to flight. They will run as though fleeing from the sword, and they will fall, even though no one is pursuing them.” —Leviticus 26:36.
Did you know that about God? I am not necessarily saying He scares us into obedience, yet that could happen, and then when we are in His loving arms we can serve Him out of love. Because we come to our senses, realizing that He 1st loved us. 1 John 4:19.
Leviticus 26:36 reminds me of how the Holy Spirit convicts us of sin. While we were dead in our sins, Christ died for us. The prodigal son was dead in his sins but realized how hopeless his life was and chose to repent and return to his earthly father; an example of how God demonstrates His love for us.
I like that reminder you have. I have been told that we are drawn by love only. Then I politely remind the teller of where all of Niniva an Assyrian city, came to the Lord by a scare tactic of Jonah. Yes it was called a warning and the Holy Spirit went before Jonah to prepare the way of the Lord's warnings. Yet they were jolted(for a better word) into turning to the Lord. They all turned to the Lord. They all had a choice to turn to the Lord or refuse to turn to the Lord by an act of disbelief. I almost lost count of the illustrations we can pull out of the whole Jonah story. Isn't it nice to have Biblically true stories. There are many instances in the Bible where people were scared or jolted into turning to the Lord. Thank-you for your insight.
If we could describe God’s wrath in scientific terms, it would seem less emotional. I AM is the closest we can come to understanding completeness — everything that exists is created and sustained by Him. Yet, there is one exception which does not support the Creator and His Will: rebellion.
Within the perfect order of creation, one being misused the power entrusted to him; entrusted to do that which is right and good, he chose 'self'-exaltation, overstepping the boundaries set for him. This being, known as Lucifer, turned the power entrusted to Him against both God and mankind.
Both scientists and believers seek evidence to affirm, define, or challenge the supremacy of God and His Son, Jesus Christ. Yet, neither side possesses definitive proof. Believers choose faith, trusting in a God they cannot see but who they believe is revealed through Jesus Christ, His Son. The scientist takes the position to find prove through evolving knowledge - the ongoing process where knowledge continuously grows, changes, and refines over time.
I do not consider/see God’s actions as ‘punishment’ driven by ‘wrath’ — these are human terms used to interpret destruction and restructuring. To me, everything He does — both 'building up and tearing down' — is an expression of His ongoing work of saving our planet and mankind. He uses His authority expressed through His Love - justice and mercy - to set the 'record' straight.
In the end, without boasting or condemnation, His Truth will be known by all. Everyone will recognize Him:
"that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." - Phil. 2:10-11
“Then all mankind will know that I, the LORD, am your Savior and your Redeemer.” — Isaiah 41:20
“Know that the LORD, He is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves.” — Psalm 100:3
“This is the brand-new covenant I will make with Israel when the time comes: I will put my law within them—write it on their hearts! I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will they teach one another about God, for they will know Me firsthand — the dull and the bright, the smart and the slow. I’ll wipe the slate clean. I’ll forget they ever sinned!” — Jeremiah 31:33-34 (MSG)
We are spending this quarter trying to establish that God loves everyone equally and alike and that Christ died for everyone equally and alike.
God Himself says, however, “… Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the Lord. “Yet I have loved Jacob; but I have hated Esau,…” (Mal 1:2,3; Rom 9:13).
Scripture says, “…You hate all who do iniquity” (Psalm 5:5); “The Lord tests the righteous and the wicked, and the one who loves violence His soul hates.” (Ps 11:5); “The face of the Lord is against evildoers, to cut off the memory of them from the earth.” (Ps 34:16).
“The Lord has made everything for its own purpose, even the wicked for the day of evil.” (Prov 16:4). These are people whom God so loved that He even died for them? The great majority of human beings are told in the judgment, “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me you who practice lawlessness.” (Matt 7:23). Would God so love a person but later tell them “I NEVER knew you”? The wicked are children of the Devil like Cain, Judas, Pharaoh… God is good to them and blesses them with physical earthly blessings and privileges, re the rich man of Lazarus’ fame, but He does not love them. His love is reserved for His people.
We have taken the fact “God is Love” and applied our humanist fancies of love and applied it to God creating God in our own image. Whatever God is He is that absolutely. He is Life, Light, Love absolutely. How can one say God must be more than one person because “God is Love”; that He cannot be love without having something to love!!!???
Then we compound the problem “because God loves everyone equally and alike Christ died for everyone equally and alike”. Scripture says that the death that Christ died was a death to sin (Rom 6:10; 1 Pt 2:24). He never sinned so He died on some sinner’s behalf condemned to eternal death. It is His eternal death, not His temporal death giving up the spirit to God, that effected eternal redemption; that which He suffered while alive on the cross. He had to be alive to suffer eternal death described in 2 Thess 1:9. The full wrath of God against sin was poured out on Christ on the cross such that He cried out “… why have you forsaken me”. When that was finished He gave up His spirit.
Scripture says, “… that one died for all, therefor all died.” (2 Cor 5:14). All of those for whom Christ died have suffered the eternal penalty for sin, God’s righteous judgment (Gen 2:17; Ezk 18:20; Rom 1:32; 3:24-26; 1 Pt 2:24). Can any of those people be charged with sin in judgment? (Rom 8:28-35).
If one died with Christ being united to Christ one must live because Christ was resurrected to eternal life (Rom 4:25; 6 5-11; 7:4; 2 Tim 2:10,11; 1 Thess 5:9,10;1 Pt 2:24; Eph 2:4-10; Gal 2:19,20). Christ said to His disciples: “…Because I live you will live also. In that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me and I in you.”(Jn 14:19).
Moreover, Christ Himself tells us unequivocally whom He specifically died for - His own sheep whom He knows which His Father gave to Him from before the foundation of the world (Jn 10:3,10,14-18,26-30; Jn 6:35-40,44-47). Christ did not die for everybody without exception.
Thank you Kenny for such a deep study. I understand your perspective, however I had a problem reconciling your premise with John 3:16 - 21, especially verses 16 & 17.
The wrath of God of divine Love it helps us to do good thing not bad because the wrath of God of divine Love it have justice and mercy according to patriarchs and prophet
Who but God can execute eternal judgment?