Numbers 14:18
A common thought is that the God of the Old Testament is different to the God of the New Testament. The reason for this is that many see him as an angry and violent God in the Old and then in the New, full of love and kindness.
This verse shows that even in the infancy of the nation of Israel and the Old Testament, God is known for his slowness to anger, being full of love, and ready to offer forgiveness.
What is consistent throughout the Bible is that sin, which is disobedience, rebellion, evil and lawlessness, requires punishment. Justice needs to prevail and that can only be perfectly served by a perfect, sinless, and holy God.
The New Testament still shows that justice and punishment will come, as seen in Revelation. Notice that this is left until the end of the Bible and the end of time. This means that God leaves plenty of time and creates many opportunites for people to believe that Jesus took the punishment for them.
Thankfully, God does not dish out angry, spontaneous, unpredictable and aggressive retribution to those who ignore or offend him. Instead, he has laid out the plan in a methodical, transparent and patient manner, ensuring all have an opportunity to respond to the Good News of his Kingdom before the predetermined time and method of penalty is enacted.
God has held back his judgement of the world for thousands of years so that you had an opportunity to join his kingdom of love, joy, peace, freedom, kindness, and hope. Why wait any longer to make a decision to take him up on his offer of forgiveness and love?
CamisGWare 