Homer Simpson is confused about God: “He’s always happy. No wait. He’s always mad.”
Which is it? Have you heard people argue God is always mad in the Old Testament, but always loving in the New?
God never changes. God judges sin. You reap what you sow—both the good and the bad. He judges sin, rewards good, and salvation is only possible by faith in His grace. But He does not change.
Lamentations is an entire book lamenting disaster. During a seige, Israel is so starved the book actually includes cannibalism, including two prostitutes fighting over whose baby they will boil and eat first. But even in the midst of suffering, we are reminded that God is a God of love and mercy:
“Because of the Lord’s faithful love, we do not perish, for His mercies never end. They are new every morning: great is Your faithfulness! I say, the Lord is my portion, therefore, I will put my hope in Him. The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the person who seeks Him. It is good to quietly wait for deliverance from the Lord…. For the Lord will not reject us forever. Even if He causes suffering, He will show compassion according to His abundant, faithful love. For He does not enjoy bringing affliction or suffering on mankind. “ Lamentations 3:25-33.
So how would you answer Homer Simpson? What can you say to one who thinks God is angry in the Old Testament, but happy in the New?
God loves you. He will judge sin—but even His judgment is done in love, and it teaches us to live better. It also reveals our sin and reminds us to repent and seek forgiveness. But in the end, remember 1 John 4:8 “God is love.” And remember the joy of Jesus as explained in Hebrews 1:9 “God has anointed You [Jesus] with the oil of joy above all Your brethren.” That is, no one has more joy than Jesus.
So, in the end, no matter how much judgment is included the Old Testament (and the New!) God is LOVE, and God is JOY.
Embrace Him today.
ΑΩ
Household Words: 