Sometimes we feel like our feelings have to be on one extreme or the other. I'm finding when I read Scripture that God has strong feelings on both sides of the spectrum at the same time.
In Jeremiah 31, the nation of Israel has been exiled to Babylon and taken into captivity there by kings more powerful than themselves because of their sin. Their sin has been so great and consistent for so long, that they aren't even allowed to stay in the land that God had promised all the way back to Abraham. The land needs a break from their wickedness. In Jeremiah 2 and 3, God likens Israel to an adulterous wife: "[W]here have you NOT lain with men?" (Jer. 3:2).
And yet, at the same time, in Jeremiah 31:4 God says, "Again I will build you, and you shall be rebuilt, O virgin of Israel!" And again, "Turn back, O virgin of Israel . . . . How long will you gad about, O you backsliding daughter?"
Nothing about Israel's behavior was virginal. God had clearly condemned her for having the opposite behavior. His wrath against her was that of a husband and protector betrayed, but His love for her is equally fierce, so much so that He calls her a virgin, as if we can pretend none of this ever happened. "'[Y]ou have played the harlot with many lovers; Yet return to Me,' says the LORD." (Jer. 3:1)
He does the same thing in the book of Numbers. Ever since Moses arrived to deliver Israel out of Egypt, they have been one complaining, disbelieving lot. In Numbers 21, they say, "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and our soul loathes this worthless bread." (Num. 21:5) Yeah, that would be the bread that God Himself provided miraculously with the dew every morning. In response to this round of hostility, God sent fiery serpents that bit the people, until they were willing to repent. That's God's relationship with Israel at this point.
In Numbers 22, the king of Moab hires Balaam to come and speak curses on Israel so the king can overcome them. God takes charge of Balaam's mouth. Don't you know, God can chastise His people, but no one else better mess with them! Balaam declares about God, "He has not observed iniquity in Jacob, Nor has He seen wickedness in Israel." (Num. 23:21). What. on. earth?!
This is our God. According to Scripture, He seems to have these fierce dichotomous emotions--at the same time! He fiercely hates sin and punishes it, and He fiercely loves His own and protects them despite their sin. He is big and grand enough that He can feel and act on both emotions at the same time! Isn't that what the cross is too? The intense affront to His holiness that sin is must be punished with blood, but His intense love for His creation results in Him shedding His Son's own blood on our behalf.
Both/and, without devaluing either emotion in the process.
