This is Back to the Bible for Wednesday, June 23, 2004
This is Back to the Bible for Wednesday, June 23, 2004
This is Back to the Bible for Wednesday, June 23, 2004
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
<strong>Back</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Bible</strong> Radio Transcript<br />
Series: How <strong>to</strong> Connect with God, Week 1 of 3<br />
Program Title: Why Is God so Longsuffering?<br />
Dr. Woodrow Kroll<br />
July 14, 2011<br />
Woodrow Kroll: In Noah's day, God put up with unbelief.<br />
Tami We<strong>is</strong>sert: He endured d<strong>is</strong>obedience during Moses' time.<br />
Woodrow Kroll: And later, He demonstrated patience with Jesus' d<strong>is</strong>ciples.<br />
Tami We<strong>is</strong>sert: So why <strong>is</strong> God so longsuffering?<br />
Woodrow Kroll: And what does that mean <strong>for</strong> you and me <strong>to</strong>day? Hi, I'm<br />
Woodrow Kroll.<br />
Tami We<strong>is</strong>sert: I'm Tami We<strong>is</strong>sert.<br />
Woodrow Kroll: And th<strong>is</strong> <strong>is</strong> <strong>Back</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Bible</strong>.<br />
Tami We<strong>is</strong>sert: Longsuffering. Wood, <strong>the</strong> word itself describes what it<br />
means. How and why does God put up with us <strong>the</strong> way that He does?<br />
Woodrow Kroll: Because God loves us so much that He wants <strong>to</strong> put plenty<br />
of time between our offense and H<strong>is</strong> response, time <strong>for</strong> us <strong>to</strong> repent and<br />
come <strong>to</strong> a right relationship with Him.<br />
Tami We<strong>is</strong>sert: We look at <strong>the</strong> s<strong>to</strong>ry of <strong>the</strong> Israelites, and it's easy <strong>to</strong><br />
become judgmental. But we can get over that when we examine our own<br />
life.<br />
Woodrow Kroll: Yes. H<strong>is</strong> patience and longsuffering are still <strong>the</strong>re <strong>for</strong> us<br />
<strong>to</strong>day.<br />
Tami We<strong>is</strong>sert: Let's find out more about God's purpose <strong>for</strong> longsuffering.<br />
Here's Dr. Kroll with <strong>to</strong>day's <strong>Back</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Bible</strong> study.<br />
Woodrow Kroll: We're talking about connecting with God. Today, when we<br />
connect with God, we want <strong>to</strong> learn that not only <strong>is</strong> God faithful, He <strong>is</strong><br />
patient as well. He <strong>is</strong> longsuffering. <strong>Th<strong>is</strong></strong> <strong>is</strong> <strong>the</strong> kind of God you want <strong>to</strong> get<br />
<strong>to</strong> know. In order <strong>to</strong> help you get <strong>to</strong> know Him, we are going <strong>to</strong> go right <strong>to</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> <strong>Bible</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> Book of Exodus.
You recognize that Exodus 34 comes right on <strong>the</strong> heels of Exodus 33. In<br />
Exodus 33 <strong>is</strong> <strong>the</strong> s<strong>to</strong>ry of <strong>the</strong> golden calf and Aaron and <strong>the</strong> people making<br />
th<strong>is</strong> horrible idol. Moses has <strong>to</strong> come down from <strong>the</strong> mountain, and he's<br />
frustrated at <strong>the</strong> people. He throws <strong>the</strong> tablets of s<strong>to</strong>ne down—<strong>the</strong> Ten<br />
Commandments. He breaks <strong>the</strong>m.<br />
On <strong>the</strong> heels of all of that, we get <strong>to</strong> Exodus 34:1: "And <strong>the</strong> LORD said <strong>to</strong><br />
Moses, 'Cut two tablets of s<strong>to</strong>ne like <strong>the</strong> first ones, and I will write on <strong>the</strong>se<br />
tablets <strong>the</strong> words that were on <strong>the</strong> first tablets [now watch th<strong>is</strong>] which you<br />
broke.'" I love that. It's God's way of reminding Moses what he did wrong,<br />
because Moses was angry, and he threw <strong>the</strong>se tablets of s<strong>to</strong>ne down. So<br />
God says, "You make two more tablets of s<strong>to</strong>ne. I'll write on <strong>the</strong>m like I did<br />
<strong>the</strong> first ones."<br />
Verses 2-8: "'So be ready in <strong>the</strong> morning, and come up in <strong>the</strong> morning <strong>to</strong><br />
Mount Sinai, and present yourself <strong>to</strong> Me <strong>the</strong>re on <strong>the</strong> <strong>to</strong>p of <strong>the</strong> mountain.<br />
And no man shall come up with you, and let no man be seen throughout all<br />
<strong>the</strong> mountain; let nei<strong>the</strong>r flocks nor herds feed be<strong>for</strong>e that mountain.' So he<br />
cut two tablets of s<strong>to</strong>ne like <strong>the</strong> first ones. Then Moses rose early in <strong>the</strong><br />
morning and went up Mount Sinai, as <strong>the</strong> LORD had commanded him; and he<br />
<strong>to</strong>ok in h<strong>is</strong> hand <strong>the</strong> two tablets of s<strong>to</strong>ne. Then <strong>the</strong> LORD descended in <strong>the</strong><br />
cloud and s<strong>to</strong>od with him <strong>the</strong>re, and proclaimed <strong>the</strong> name of <strong>the</strong> LORD. [Now,<br />
l<strong>is</strong>ten <strong>to</strong> th<strong>is</strong>] And <strong>the</strong> LORD passed be<strong>for</strong>e him and proclaimed, 'The LORD,<br />
<strong>the</strong> LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in<br />
goodness and truth, keeping mercy <strong>for</strong> thousands, <strong>for</strong>giving iniquity and<br />
transgression and sin, by no means clearing <strong>the</strong> guilty, v<strong>is</strong>iting <strong>the</strong> iniquity<br />
of <strong>the</strong> fa<strong>the</strong>rs upon <strong>the</strong> children and <strong>the</strong> children's children <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> third and<br />
<strong>the</strong> fourth generation.' So Moses made haste and bowed h<strong>is</strong> head <strong>to</strong>ward <strong>the</strong><br />
earth, and worshiped."<br />
What's going on in th<strong>is</strong> passage? Basically, what you see in th<strong>is</strong> passage <strong>is</strong><br />
God telling Moses about Himself. Notice who it <strong>is</strong> who <strong>is</strong> proclaiming<br />
something about <strong>the</strong> Lord. It's <strong>the</strong> Lord Himself. <strong>Th<strong>is</strong></strong> <strong>is</strong> not just some voice<br />
out of <strong>the</strong> heavens. <strong>Th<strong>is</strong></strong> <strong>is</strong> not a book that Moses found, a secret book<br />
somewhere that talks about a god. <strong>Th<strong>is</strong></strong> <strong>is</strong> God personally teaching Moses<br />
about <strong>the</strong> character of God.<br />
If you're going <strong>to</strong> learn about someone's character, who better <strong>to</strong> learn it<br />
from than that person himself or herself, and especially if that person <strong>is</strong> God.<br />
Here we have God teaching Moses something about who God <strong>is</strong> and how<br />
God <strong>is</strong> going <strong>to</strong> act. And what I find interesting here <strong>is</strong> <strong>the</strong> Lord God (verse<br />
6) <strong>is</strong> merciful. He <strong>is</strong> gracious. He <strong>is</strong> longsuffering.<br />
2
Today we're going <strong>to</strong> key on that word "longsuffering." We want <strong>to</strong> learn<br />
when you connect with God what you can expect, and also, what God will<br />
expect of you when you connect with Him.<br />
What does it mean <strong>to</strong> be longsuffering? When it says that God <strong>is</strong><br />
longsuffering, when it says He <strong>is</strong> slow <strong>to</strong> anger, it simply means God <strong>is</strong> not<br />
easily steamed. God <strong>is</strong> not easily provoked. He doesn't boil over in H<strong>is</strong> anger<br />
quickly. God puts up with a lot. If I could say it in <strong>the</strong> vernacular of <strong>to</strong>day<br />
(and I don't mean <strong>to</strong> be crass about th<strong>is</strong>), if I could say it in <strong>the</strong> way we<br />
would understand it <strong>to</strong>day, it takes a lot <strong>for</strong> God <strong>to</strong> blow H<strong>is</strong> stack. He <strong>is</strong> so<br />
gracious and so compassionate and so loving that you're not going <strong>to</strong> find<br />
God easily getting angry.<br />
So when you see God angry, just imagine what happened that got God <strong>to</strong><br />
that point. The word "anger" here (which <strong>is</strong> part of th<strong>is</strong> word "longsuffering")<br />
comes from <strong>the</strong> word that means "nose" or "nostril." That's interesting. How<br />
do you get between nose and anger? Think about th<strong>is</strong>: It means <strong>the</strong> rapid<br />
movement of <strong>the</strong> nostrils when you are breathing rapidly, and specifically<br />
talks about horses. You've seen enough movies or enough telev<strong>is</strong>ion where<br />
<strong>the</strong>re are battle scenes where <strong>the</strong>y're using horses. Hollywood <strong>is</strong> great at<br />
th<strong>is</strong>. Generally, an army or a general <strong>is</strong> moving through a thickened, wooded<br />
area be<strong>for</strong>e <strong>the</strong>y get out in<strong>to</strong> a huge open plain where <strong>the</strong>y do battle. And as<br />
<strong>the</strong>y're moving through th<strong>is</strong> thickened, wooded area, generally, even though<br />
it may be a warm, summer day, you're going <strong>to</strong> see m<strong>is</strong>t or fog just <strong>to</strong> add<br />
<strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> whole thing. And <strong>the</strong>y always show a close-up of a horse's nose.<br />
When a horse brea<strong>the</strong>s and you can see <strong>the</strong> breath coming out of <strong>the</strong><br />
horse's nose, you see those nostrils vibrating back and <strong>for</strong>th. It's all<br />
Hollywood stuff <strong>to</strong> make you understand that something terrific <strong>is</strong> about <strong>to</strong><br />
happen.<br />
It's from that word that means <strong>the</strong> blowing back and <strong>for</strong>th, <strong>the</strong> movement<br />
back and <strong>for</strong>th of <strong>the</strong> horse's nostril, that <strong>the</strong> Hebrews got <strong>the</strong> picture of<br />
being angry.<br />
What does that mean <strong>to</strong> us? It means that when God <strong>is</strong> angry, it's not a<br />
usual thing. But it <strong>is</strong> a very significant thing, because how often do you see<br />
<strong>the</strong> nostrils of horses vibrating back and <strong>for</strong>th getting prepared <strong>for</strong> battle?<br />
That's what <strong>the</strong> word "anger" <strong>is</strong>—<strong>the</strong> word "aph."<br />
The o<strong>the</strong>r word <strong>is</strong> <strong>the</strong> word "arek," and that means <strong>to</strong> defer or <strong>to</strong> put off. So,<br />
<strong>the</strong> word <strong>for</strong> "longsuffering" in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Bible</strong> means that God <strong>is</strong> going <strong>to</strong> defer H<strong>is</strong><br />
nostrils vibrating. He <strong>is</strong> going <strong>to</strong> put off H<strong>is</strong> anger. He will watch you, and He<br />
will watch me, and He will see things we do that really would cause a lesser<br />
person <strong>to</strong> get ticked off immediately, and God will be compassionate.<br />
3
Let me give you some examples from Scripture. Exodus 20:12, <strong>the</strong> first of<br />
<strong>the</strong> Ten Commandments with prom<strong>is</strong>e: "Honor your fa<strong>the</strong>r and your mo<strong>the</strong>r,<br />
that your days may be long upon <strong>the</strong> land." The word "long" <strong>the</strong>re <strong>is</strong> literally<br />
"prolonged" upon <strong>the</strong> earth. You will not be cut off. You will not be destroyed<br />
because you've been unfaithful <strong>to</strong> your fa<strong>the</strong>r or mo<strong>the</strong>r. You won't be taken<br />
out and be s<strong>to</strong>ned as <strong>the</strong> law requires. But if you honor your fa<strong>the</strong>r and<br />
mo<strong>the</strong>r, you will enjoy long life. Your days will be prolonged. That word<br />
"prolonged" <strong>is</strong> exactly <strong>the</strong> word <strong>for</strong> "<strong>to</strong> defer anger."<br />
Ano<strong>the</strong>r example, 1 Kings 3:14, God prom<strong>is</strong>es Solomon: "So if you walk in<br />
My ways, <strong>to</strong> keep My statutes and My commandments, as your fa<strong>the</strong>r David<br />
walked, <strong>the</strong>n I will leng<strong>the</strong>n your days."<br />
"I will prolong <strong>the</strong> day of your death. I will defer your death till <strong>the</strong> fur<strong>the</strong>st<br />
possible day. I will give you long life." And Isaiah 48:9, God prom<strong>is</strong>es Israel:<br />
"For My name's sake I will defer My anger."<br />
All of th<strong>is</strong> comes <strong>to</strong> mean, <strong>the</strong>n, that God <strong>is</strong> longsuffering. He defers H<strong>is</strong><br />
anger. Does that mean He doesn't get angry? No. It doesn't mean that at<br />
all. Anger <strong>is</strong> <strong>the</strong>re. The response <strong>to</strong> anger <strong>is</strong> simply deferred. In o<strong>the</strong>r words,<br />
God won't quickly respond <strong>to</strong> you when you do things that anger Him. You<br />
anger Him; He just doesn't quickly respond. He <strong>is</strong> so gracious and<br />
compassionate that He defers H<strong>is</strong> response <strong>to</strong> that anger <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> last possible<br />
moment.<br />
If th<strong>is</strong> <strong>is</strong> <strong>the</strong> character of God I'm going <strong>to</strong> connect with (God <strong>is</strong> one who<br />
puts off until <strong>the</strong> last possible time H<strong>is</strong> response <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> things that anger<br />
Him), shouldn't I be putting off until <strong>the</strong> last possible moment things that<br />
anger me? Or should I just blow up at every little thing that happens?<br />
Earlier <strong>to</strong>day, we were talking about God being longsuffering and putting H<strong>is</strong><br />
response <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> anger that we cause Him off until <strong>the</strong> last possible minute.<br />
Let me suggest <strong>to</strong> you: You might be asking yourself, "Wait a minute. What<br />
does God have <strong>to</strong> be angry about? He's a good God. He's kind of a jolly elf<br />
person in heaven. He's a spiritual Santa Claus, if you will. Why would a<br />
grandfa<strong>the</strong>rly type like God ever get angry?" Your perception of God <strong>is</strong> way<br />
off. That's not what <strong>the</strong> <strong>Bible</strong> says at all.<br />
Let me take you <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> New Testament <strong>to</strong> 1 Peter. While you're finding that,<br />
let me just suggest <strong>to</strong> you that God has plenty <strong>to</strong> be angry about. And one<br />
of <strong>the</strong> things that angers God <strong>is</strong> when people refuse <strong>to</strong> believe. When <strong>the</strong><br />
evidence <strong>is</strong> out <strong>the</strong>re, when <strong>the</strong> Word <strong>is</strong> be<strong>for</strong>e us, and He tells us what He<br />
4
wants us <strong>to</strong> know, and people say, "That's not <strong>for</strong> me. I don't believe it."<br />
When we refuse <strong>to</strong> believe, our unbelief angers God.<br />
Here's what <strong>the</strong> <strong>Bible</strong> says, 1 Peter 3:18-20: "For Chr<strong>is</strong>t also suffered once<br />
<strong>for</strong> sins, <strong>the</strong> just [that's Jesus] <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> unjust [that's you and me], that He<br />
might bring us <strong>to</strong> God, being put <strong>to</strong> death in <strong>the</strong> flesh but made alive by <strong>the</strong><br />
Spirit, by whom also He went and preached <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> spirits in pr<strong>is</strong>on, who<br />
<strong>for</strong>merly were d<strong>is</strong>obedient, when once <strong>the</strong> longsuffering of God waited in <strong>the</strong><br />
days of Noah, while <strong>the</strong> ark was being prepared, in which a few, that <strong>is</strong>,<br />
eight souls, were saved through water."<br />
Do you see <strong>the</strong> word "longsuffering" <strong>the</strong>re? What does God have <strong>to</strong> be<br />
longsuffering about? One of <strong>the</strong> things He has <strong>to</strong> be longsuffering about <strong>is</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> way we treat what He tells us. He tells us <strong>the</strong> Truth, and we don't<br />
believe Him. Our unbelief causes God <strong>to</strong> be angry. But He <strong>is</strong> longsuffering,<br />
so He puts off <strong>the</strong> response <strong>to</strong> our unbelief until <strong>the</strong> last possible time. I<br />
have watched God delay H<strong>is</strong> response <strong>to</strong> ungodly people who taught <strong>the</strong><br />
very opposite of what God's Word says <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir classrooms—ungodly<br />
professors. Professors who claimed <strong>the</strong>re was no God, <strong>the</strong>re was no heaven,<br />
<strong>the</strong>re was no hell. I have watched God put off H<strong>is</strong> anger until <strong>the</strong> last<br />
possible time with people like that.<br />
Here he's talking about God's anger in <strong>the</strong> days of Noah. Noah preached<br />
righteousness <strong>for</strong> 120 years, and God <strong>for</strong>estalled H<strong>is</strong> anger. He put off H<strong>is</strong><br />
anger. He deferred H<strong>is</strong> anger. Was God angry? You better believe He was<br />
angry. Was <strong>the</strong>re a consequence <strong>to</strong> that anger? Yes, a universal flood. But<br />
God gave people 120 years <strong>to</strong> repent of <strong>the</strong>ir sin.<br />
God <strong>is</strong> gracious. And in that graciousness, in that compassion, that drives<br />
Him <strong>to</strong> be longsuffering. When you connect with God, you're going <strong>to</strong><br />
connect with a God who puts up with a lot.<br />
The day comes when <strong>the</strong> flood's going <strong>to</strong> come. The day comes when<br />
judgment will come. What God does <strong>is</strong>: He's <strong>the</strong> kind of God who says, "I'm<br />
going <strong>to</strong> defer that as long as I can <strong>to</strong> give you as much opportunity as you<br />
need <strong>to</strong> repent of your sin and come <strong>to</strong> Me in faith. If you fail <strong>to</strong> do that,<br />
judgment <strong>is</strong> on its way."<br />
My counsel <strong>to</strong> you would be <strong>to</strong> repent at <strong>the</strong> earliest possible time, because<br />
you never know when that line <strong>is</strong> crossed, when <strong>the</strong> anger of God will give<br />
way <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> judgment, when H<strong>is</strong> patience will finally have run out, and H<strong>is</strong><br />
longsuffering <strong>to</strong>ward unbelief will be <strong>for</strong>ever behind Him.<br />
5
Unbelief. That's one thing God has <strong>to</strong> be angry about. What about<br />
d<strong>is</strong>obedience? It's not <strong>the</strong> same as unbelief. Unbelief—you don't believe what<br />
God says. In d<strong>is</strong>obedience, you know what God says and you believe it, but<br />
you want <strong>to</strong> be d<strong>is</strong>obedient <strong>to</strong> it. You don't care what God says.<br />
Let me give you an example of that: I'm going <strong>to</strong> back <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> Book of<br />
Numbers, chapter 14. <strong>Th<strong>is</strong></strong> <strong>is</strong> <strong>the</strong> chapter where Moses <strong>is</strong> pleading with God<br />
not <strong>to</strong> destroy Israel. Israel has been murmuring against God. Everything<br />
that God gave <strong>the</strong>m <strong>the</strong>y didn't like. God would give <strong>the</strong>m more; <strong>the</strong>y didn't<br />
like that. God brought <strong>the</strong>m out of Egyptian bondage and was willing <strong>to</strong> take<br />
<strong>the</strong>m right in<strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> Prom<strong>is</strong>ed Land, and <strong>the</strong>y weren't willing <strong>to</strong> go. And on<br />
<strong>the</strong> heels of <strong>the</strong>m failing, <strong>the</strong>ir refusal <strong>to</strong> enter Canaan, th<strong>is</strong> <strong>is</strong> what happens,<br />
Verse 11: "And <strong>the</strong> LORD said <strong>to</strong> Moses: 'How long will <strong>the</strong>se people reject<br />
Me? [That's d<strong>is</strong>obedience; that's what we're talking about.] And how long<br />
will <strong>the</strong>y not believe Me [that's unbelief; that's what we just talked about],<br />
with all <strong>the</strong> signs which I have per<strong>for</strong>med among <strong>the</strong>m?"<br />
See, God never leaves us without a witness <strong>to</strong> Himself. Even <strong>to</strong>day, <strong>the</strong><br />
person who claims <strong>to</strong> be <strong>the</strong> biggest a<strong>the</strong><strong>is</strong>t in <strong>the</strong> world still has <strong>the</strong> <strong>Bible</strong> <strong>to</strong><br />
read.<br />
So God says, "How long will <strong>the</strong>y not believe? How long will <strong>the</strong>y be<br />
d<strong>is</strong>obedient <strong>to</strong> Me?" And <strong>the</strong>n He says (verse 12), "I will strike <strong>the</strong>m with <strong>the</strong><br />
pestilence and d<strong>is</strong>inherit <strong>the</strong>m [He's talking about Israel], and I will make of<br />
you a nation greater and mightier than <strong>the</strong>y."<br />
God <strong>is</strong> saying here <strong>to</strong> Moses, "Look, Moses, you've been faithful <strong>to</strong> Me. You<br />
haven't d<strong>is</strong>obeyed Me, and you have believed what I've <strong>to</strong>ld you every step<br />
of <strong>the</strong> way. These people haven't. So let Me just destroy <strong>the</strong>m. Let Me just<br />
cut <strong>the</strong>m right off. And from you I'll make ano<strong>the</strong>r nation."<br />
Now, watch what Moses does. Verses 13-19: "And Moses said <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> LORD:<br />
'Then <strong>the</strong> Egyptians will hear it, <strong>for</strong> by Your might You brought <strong>the</strong>se people<br />
up from among <strong>the</strong>m, and <strong>the</strong>y will tell it <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> inhabitants of th<strong>is</strong> land<br />
[Canaan]. They have heard that You, LORD, are among <strong>the</strong>se people; that<br />
You, LORD, are seen face <strong>to</strong> face and that Your cloud stands above <strong>the</strong>m; and<br />
You go be<strong>for</strong>e <strong>the</strong>m in a pillar of cloud by day and in a pillar of fire by night.<br />
Now if You kill <strong>the</strong>se people as one man, <strong>the</strong>n <strong>the</strong> nations which have heard<br />
of Your fame will speak, saying, "Because <strong>the</strong> LORD was not able <strong>to</strong> bring th<strong>is</strong><br />
people <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> land which He swore <strong>to</strong> give <strong>the</strong>m, <strong>the</strong>re<strong>for</strong>e He killed <strong>the</strong>m in<br />
<strong>the</strong> wilderness." And now, I pray, let <strong>the</strong> power of my LORD be great, just as<br />
You have spoken, saying, "The LORD <strong>is</strong> longsuffering and abundant in mercy,<br />
<strong>for</strong>giving iniquity and transgression; but He by no means clears <strong>the</strong> guilty,<br />
v<strong>is</strong>iting <strong>the</strong> iniquity of <strong>the</strong> fa<strong>the</strong>rs on <strong>the</strong> children <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> third and fourth<br />
6
generation." Pardon <strong>the</strong> iniquity of th<strong>is</strong> people, I pray, according <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
greatness of Your mercy, just as You have <strong>for</strong>given th<strong>is</strong> people, from Egypt<br />
even until now.'"<br />
What a tremendous blessing it <strong>is</strong> <strong>to</strong> have someone pray <strong>for</strong> you who has<br />
your best interest at heart. <strong>Th<strong>is</strong></strong> <strong>is</strong> <strong>the</strong> kind of person you want <strong>to</strong> become<br />
<strong>the</strong> premier of your country, <strong>the</strong> president of your country. <strong>Th<strong>is</strong></strong> <strong>is</strong> <strong>the</strong> kind<br />
of person you want <strong>to</strong> lead your church, lead your organization. Someone<br />
who will intercede <strong>to</strong> God and ask God, "You know, God, sure, <strong>the</strong>y've done<br />
wrong. And <strong>the</strong>y've been unfaithful <strong>to</strong> You. And <strong>the</strong>y've been d<strong>is</strong>obedient <strong>to</strong><br />
You. But would You just stretch Your response time a little bit longer and<br />
give <strong>the</strong>m one last opportunity <strong>to</strong> repent?"<br />
That's what Moses <strong>is</strong> asking God <strong>to</strong> do here. "They have been unfaithful.<br />
They have been d<strong>is</strong>obedient. But what I 'm asking you, God, <strong>is</strong> <strong>to</strong> do th<strong>is</strong>:<br />
I'm asking You <strong>to</strong> put up with it just a little bit longer."<br />
You have read <strong>the</strong> rest of <strong>the</strong> s<strong>to</strong>ry. You know what happens. God doesn't<br />
destroy Israel. He doesn't ra<strong>is</strong>e up a new nation from th<strong>is</strong> man Moses. God<br />
puts up with Israel's shenanigans just a little bit longer. He puts up with<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir complaining. He puts up with <strong>the</strong>ir d<strong>is</strong>obedience. He puts up with <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
lack of faith. And ultimately, He leads <strong>the</strong>m in<strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> Prom<strong>is</strong>ed Land.<br />
But remember who gets <strong>the</strong>re. None of <strong>the</strong>se people; just <strong>the</strong>ir descendents.<br />
There <strong>is</strong> a price <strong>to</strong> be paid <strong>for</strong> unbelief. And <strong>the</strong>re's a price <strong>to</strong> be paid <strong>for</strong><br />
d<strong>is</strong>obedience. There's a price <strong>to</strong> be paid <strong>for</strong> being a sinner. But God in H<strong>is</strong><br />
mercy and, specifically, in H<strong>is</strong> longsuffering, puts off H<strong>is</strong> response as long as<br />
He possibly can.<br />
L<strong>is</strong>ten. If God can withhold H<strong>is</strong> anger from you, don't you think you ought <strong>to</strong><br />
be able <strong>to</strong> withhold your anger from someone else? The d<strong>is</strong>tance between<br />
God's mercy and your need <strong>is</strong> a great deal far<strong>the</strong>r than <strong>the</strong> d<strong>is</strong>tance between<br />
somebody else's need and your mercy. You can't do <strong>to</strong> me anything nearly<br />
as bad as what I've done <strong>to</strong> God. And you can't be holier than I am nearly as<br />
much as God <strong>is</strong> holier than I am. So if I can accept God putting off H<strong>is</strong><br />
response in anger <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> last possible moment, if I can accept that, <strong>the</strong>n<br />
don't you think I can live that way <strong>to</strong>o? And shouldn't you be able <strong>to</strong> live<br />
that way <strong>to</strong>o?<br />
You know those crying babies in church? And you just want that mo<strong>the</strong>r <strong>to</strong><br />
take that baby out and stuff a sock in it. Don't you think you could be a little<br />
more patient and longsuffering if God was <strong>to</strong> you?<br />
7
That new pas<strong>to</strong>r you have, not doing things <strong>the</strong> way <strong>the</strong> old pas<strong>to</strong>r did. Don't<br />
you think you could be a little longsuffering <strong>to</strong>ward him, given how<br />
longsuffering God has been <strong>to</strong> you?<br />
Those unthinkable Junior High boys, those guys that you want <strong>to</strong> say <strong>to</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong>m, "Can you say juvey hall?" Don't you think you could be longsuffering<br />
<strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong>m if God has been longsuffering <strong>to</strong> you?<br />
Your inattentive husband. The guy just doesn't have a clue. He hasn't said,<br />
"I love you." He said, "I said it once. If I ever change my mind, I'll tell you."<br />
Your inattentive husband. Don't you think you could be a little bit more<br />
longsuffering <strong>to</strong> him and h<strong>is</strong> inattention?<br />
Your thoughtless neighbors, your d<strong>is</strong>obedient teens, your overbearing boss.<br />
Just l<strong>is</strong>t <strong>the</strong> names of people and <strong>the</strong> relationship you have with <strong>the</strong>m:<br />
Immature Chr<strong>is</strong>tians; non-understanding people, your fa<strong>the</strong>r and mo<strong>the</strong>r.<br />
They're just cranky about everything. But <strong>the</strong>y're getting old. Don't you<br />
think we could be a little more longsuffering if we connected with God and<br />
appreciated how longsuffering He's been <strong>to</strong> us?<br />
Tami We<strong>is</strong>sert: Thanks <strong>for</strong> joining us <strong>to</strong>day here on <strong>Back</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Bible</strong>.<br />
Wood, your l<strong>is</strong>t of examples—babies, family members, neighbors—<strong>is</strong> a little<br />
convicting. How do we go about becoming more longsuffering?<br />
Woodrow Kroll: Un<strong>for</strong>tunately, experience <strong>is</strong> <strong>the</strong> best teacher. Maybe <strong>the</strong><br />
next time we have <strong>to</strong> put up with a self<strong>is</strong>h neighbor, or a boring sermon, or<br />
a cranky child, instead of complaining we ought <strong>to</strong> be pra<strong>is</strong>ing God. These<br />
scenarios are <strong>the</strong> ones in which we learn longsuffering. It's <strong>the</strong> <strong>to</strong>ugh times<br />
that teach us life's greatest lessons.<br />
Tami We<strong>is</strong>sert: Tomorrow, Wood, we will continue talking about<br />
longsuffering.<br />
Woodrow Kroll: We will. If God <strong>is</strong> longsuffering <strong>to</strong>ward us, <strong>the</strong>n how can<br />
we be longsuffering <strong>to</strong>o? We're going <strong>to</strong> talk about how <strong>to</strong> become more<br />
patient <strong>to</strong>ward o<strong>the</strong>rs. L<strong>is</strong>ten, if <strong>the</strong>re's ever a lesson any of us need <strong>to</strong><br />
learn, it <strong>is</strong> certainly that lesson. That's <strong>to</strong>morrow here on <strong>Back</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Bible</strong>.<br />
As always, it's been a joy <strong>to</strong> have you as a part of our l<strong>is</strong>tening family <strong>to</strong>day.<br />
I hope you have benefited from <strong>to</strong>day's study in God's Word. And if you<br />
have, why don't you contact us and let us know? It would be such an<br />
encouragement <strong>to</strong> our staff here in Lincoln, Nebraska. It helps us <strong>to</strong> get <strong>to</strong><br />
8
know you better. So tell us what <strong>the</strong> program <strong>to</strong>day meant <strong>to</strong> you, or how<br />
you will apply it <strong>to</strong> your life. Thanks so much <strong>for</strong> doing that.<br />
God bless you. I'm Woodrow Kroll. My prayer <strong>is</strong> <strong>the</strong> same every day at th<strong>is</strong><br />
time, that you would have a good and godly day, <strong>for</strong> of what lasting value <strong>is</strong><br />
a good day if it's not also a godly day?<br />
Scripture used in <strong>to</strong>day's program was based on <strong>the</strong> New King James Version<br />
of <strong>the</strong> <strong>Bible</strong>.<br />
Copyright © 2011 The Good News Broadcasting Association, Inc. All rights reserved<br />
<strong>Back</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Bible</strong> | P.O. Box 82808, Lincoln, NE 68501 | 1-800-759-2425 | back<strong>to</strong><strong>the</strong>bible.org<br />
9