Judges 2 - Justice and Mercy

And the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel.... (Judges 2:14)

... for the Lord was moved to pity by their groaning because of those who oppressed them and harassed them." (Judges 2:18)

I found two emotions that God displayed in this chapter - anger and pity. How is it that in the same chapter, the author described such contradictory emotions of the same God? Why was God seemingly contradictory Himself?? He was angry at Israel and thus gave them in to the enemies. However, He also raised up judges to help the people because He saw their distress.

Actually I hesitated using 'emotions' on God because 'emotions' are temporary mood states, and thus didn't seem appropriate for use on a eternal God. But i guess what's important is the characteristics or attributes that underlie such emotions that are good for us to consider. And those attributes are eternal.

God is just. He will not hesitate to punish those who did wrongly, especially that of idolatry. Yes, He is a jealous God. But He has all the right to be so. He is the Creator. He breathes life into us. He covered our shame. He died so that we may live. He is the only True God. His jealousy only serves to do us good, so that we may pursue after that which is true. Often times, He gave many chances such that men are without excuse should they continue to sin. And so, when the time come for judgement, He will not hesitate to punish the evildoers and cast them out.

However, God is also full of compassion. He is a merciful God. He loves us dearly such that despite our fall, He has also prepared a way out for us. And as long as we rely on Him, we can still live. He isn't blind to our sufferings. He knows how it is like to be in the flesh, because He was in one, and He suffered even more than anyone possibly had and could. Ultimately, He hopes for all men to be saved through trusting in Him.

This episode of God being angry at Israel and giving them in to the enemies, but at the same time, raising up judges to help them completely seems to reflect our own situation with God. Adam and Eve sinned, and thus, because of the justice of God, they were cast out of the garden of Eden. It is only right that one is punished for one's wrongdoing. However, we see that the compassionate God also prepared the salvation path for us to regain our status back as the children of God. That is, through the blood of Jesus Christ.

What more can I say? *wistful sigh*
My God is just superb. He is able to incorporate the two seemingly contradictory attributes perfectly. Justice and mercy. (hallelujah! can't help but praise Him!)

因为,祂的怒气不过是转眼之间,祂的恩典乃是一生之久(诗30:5)