relent

October 13, 2017

A gracious God (Joel 2:13-2:14)

“Return to Yahweh!

Your God!

He is gracious!

He is merciful!

He is slow to anger!

He is abounding

In steadfast love!

He relents

From punishing.

Who knows

Whether he will not turn?

Who knows

Whether he will not relent?

Leave a blessing

Behind him!

Leave a grain offering!

Leave a drink offering

For Yahweh!

Your God!”

Joel continued with the same theme. They should return to Yahweh. Joel used the ancient words about God as gracious and merciful, since Yahweh was slow to get angry. He was abounding in steadfast love. He did not punish easily. Will he return? Will he relent? Your best shot was to leave a blessing, like a grain or drink offering for Yahweh, their God. Clearly, Joel was tied to the Temple, since he considered the grain and drink offering as a blessing.

May 17, 2017

Yahweh will do what he says (Ezek 24:14-24:14)

“‘I!

Yahweh!

Have spoken!

The time is coming!

I will act!

I will not refrain!

I will not spare!

I will not relent!

According to your ways,

According to your doings,

I will judge you.’

Says Yahweh God.”

Yahweh, via Ezekiel, has spoken. The time for action was coming. He was not going to hold back, spare anyone, or relent. Each one would be judged according to their deeds. Yahweh was clear that there were no favorites.

November 16, 2016

The power of Yahweh’s name (Jer 17:3-17:4)

“Your wealth,

With all your treasures

I will give for spoil

As the price of your sins

Throughout all your territory.

By your own act

You shall lose the heritage

That I gave you.

I will make you

Serve your enemies

In a land that you do not know.

In my anger,

A fire is kindled

That shall burn forever.”

Here we have a repeat of what was said in chapter 15 with the last verse exactly word for word. Yahweh would not relent. He was going to give away the wealth and treasure of the whole country as plunder. This was the price they had to pay for their sins. Thus they would serve their former enemies in a foreign land. Yahweh’s anger has been kindled and would burn forever. There was no turning back.

November 14, 2016

The punishing judgment of Yahweh (Jer 15:13-15:14)

“I will give as plunder

Your wealth,

With your treasures,

Without a price,

Throughout all your territory.

For all your sins,

I will make you

Serve your enemies

In a land that you do not know.

In my anger

A fire is kindled

That shall burn forever.”

Yahweh will not relent. He was going to freely give away the wealth and treasure of the whole country as plunder. Due to their sins, they would serve their former enemies in a foreign land. Yahweh’s anger has been kindled and will burn forever. There is no turning back.

October 21, 2016

Yahweh speaks about the desolate land (Jer 4:27-4:28)

“Thus says Yahweh.

‘The whole land shall be a desolation.

Yet I will not make a full end.

Because of this

The earth shall mourn.

The heavens above shall

Grow black.

I have spoken.

I have purposed.

I have not relented.

I will not turn back.’”

Yahweh, via Jeremiah, says that the whole land will be desolate, but he is not done. The earth will mourn, while the heavens will turn black. He has spoken. He has purposed this because he will not relent or turn back. The course is set.