Wrath and Mercy

Romans 9:1-15

I love reading about what God did all through the bible. When I take a step back and look at the big picture, I see a pattern emerge. God's wrath and His mercy again and again.

In Genesis, God has decided to judge Sodom and Gamorrah. Abraham tried to negotiate with God to spare the cities (Genesis 18:20-33). It did not work. The negotiations failed because not even 10 men could be found who were not absolutely corrupt. God poured out His judgement against the two cities and they were completely destroyed. But God remembered Abraham and had mercy on Lot, Abraham's nephew, and his family (Genesis 19:27-29).

In Exodus, the people of Isreal got Aaron to make them an idol to worship. God knew what they were doing and was going to pour His wrath out on them (Genesis 32:7-10), but Moses interceded for them and God showed mercy (Genesis 32:11-14).

Once again, the people of Israel did not trust God and used their own judgement in their own understanding. And once again, God was going to judge them for it. And yet again, Moses interceded for them (Numbers 14:6-12).

Then in Numbers 16, a guy named Korah tried to turn Israel against Moses and God. I kind of thought it was funny how God told Moses, "Tell everyone to move away from Korah." As far as I'm concerned Korah was the king of bad ideas. It did not end well for him.

Fast forward to the birth of Christ Jesus. The most significant event in human history. The salvation of God prepared for us all (Luke 2:25-32). The pattern continued. In Christ Jesus is the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3).

In Christ, we have the ultimate mercy, forgiveness and eternal life, eternally secure (Colossians 3:1-3).

Also holding to the pattern, there are those who will refuse to believe and continue in their sin, and God will, in the end, pour out His wrath. It will be like nothing anyone has ever seen.

Those of us who have been redeemed, the elect, will be spared from that wrath (Romans 9:1-18).

So, in conclusion, all of the times God was going to judge, there was someone there to intercede on behalf of the people. All of this pointed directly to Christ Jesus, the final High Priest, the final sacrifice. Our intercessor forever.

God is AWESOME!