It frustrates me when people talk about “the God of the Old Testament was vengeful, but the God of the New Testament was loving.” They don’t know God! It angers me when people say that “God only wants to send people to hell.” They don’t know God! It riles me when people claim that “God was just looking for people to make a mistake in the Bible so that He could punish them.” They don’t know God!
It would do all people well to just read the Bible. Don’t just read certain parts. Don’t read “looking for something.” Just read it! Were there times when God punished people? Yes. But guess what the reader will find BEFORE the punishment? Clear instruction from God, patience from God but deliberate disobedience of the people. Actions have consequences! Every good parent teaches that fundamental truth. But I want you to zoom in on one part of the above progression—“patience from God.”
God delivered His people from Egyptian bondage, all the while they complained against Him. He brought them to the Promised Land, but they rejected it. When He finally conquered the land for them, they repeatedly turned against Him and served the gods and peoples of the land. They rejected His reign over them and demanded a human king. They rose to greatness under godly leadership, but they divided themselves under ungodly, selfish leadership. They turned against God, and worshiped and served idols. Yet, I want you to read what God said to these people through His prophet Jeremiah.
“‘You have played the harlot with many lovers; Yet RETURN to Me,’ says the Lord” (Jer. 3:1). “The Lord said…, ‘Have you seen what backsliding Israel has done? She has gone up on every high mountain and under every green tree, and there played the harlot. And I said, after she had done all these things, “RETURN to Me.” But she did not return. And her treacherous sister Judah saw it” (3:6-7). “Then the Lord said to me, ‘… Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say: “RETURN, backsliding Israel,” says the Lord’… ‘RETURN, O backsliding children,’ says the Lord, ‘for I am married to you’…‘RETURN, you backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings’” (3:11-12, 14, 17). The Lord pleaded with them again, “If you will RETURN, O Israel,’ says the Lord, ‘RETURN to Me” (4:1). As rebellious as His people had become and as far as they had run from Him, He still begged them over and over, “RETURN to Me!”
Can you hear the heart of God? That’s the heart of your God! He has not changed! He is not eager to punish! Are you right with Him? Do you need to come back to Him? He’s pleading with you, “Return to Me!”