Exodus 34:6-7

6 “Yahweh! The Lord! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.

7 I lavish unfailing love to a thousand generations. I forgive iniquity, rebellion, and sin. But I do not excuse the guilty. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children and grandchildren; the entire family is affected – even children in the third and fourth generations. 

Long of Nose

Today, we’re talking about the phrase “slow to anger.” In Hebrew, it’s “erek appayim,” which translates to “long of nose.” What I want to do is break down what “anger” and “slowing” means. 

Anger is the Hebrew noun aph “af”. It refers to the nose or nostril, showing the vivid picture of flaring nostrils. This idiom shows us that God’s anger is intentionally withheld, giving His followers a place of repentance. This passage shows God’s justice as an act restrained by compassion. Human anger shows up as a volatile emotion that needs to be restrained when possible. Slow is the Hebrew adjective arek (ah-rek). Connected with anger, it reflects a divine patience through restrained power. 

God’s patience creates a space for repentance, repair, and restored relationships. Jesus shows us what his long nose looks like in Luke 23:34. 

REFLECTION CHECKPOINT: How do you see your anger show up in your life? Are you quick to anger? Are you “long of nose”? 

Luke 23:34 – Patience on the Cross

34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice.

Jesus is on the cross, getting ready to be crucified. He could have been mad at the crowd, made the officials, and mad at the overall situation He was put in – but He was not. Jesus didn’t want the crowd to weep for Him and even ask God to forgive those around them. 

Jesus’ request for forgiveness is directed to those that hand a hand in His crucifixion. THis shows the boundless nature of God’s mercy and patience. To be able to love your enemies in times of stress and strife. Jesus understands that their actions and behaviors, while harmful, are done in a way that shows ignorance of all the consequences. 

Movement Toward Patience

The foundation of forgiveness is one of the most difficult things to become comfortable with doing. The world is full of people that abuse their power, position, and responsibilities to get what they want with no concern for others in their path. There needs to be conversations about how we can name the hurts that have happened while maintaining the proper safety and etiquette for each other’s physical, mental, and emotional health. Forgiveness doesn’t always need to end with reconciliation, but that is a possible goal when it’s safe, mutual, and truthful. The sacrifice of Jesus is our ultimate forgiveness of sinful behavior that opens the possibility of restored relationship with God.. We are called to reflect that behavior with others, and offer the same level of forgiveness and patience that God has offered to us. 

It’s hard to maintain patience in moments of anger. Anger is often a reflection of our boundaries being violated in some capacity, and to reflect patience and forgiveness in those moments is, in my opinion, very counter-cultural. Society often shows us an attitude of revenge to keep. To exact the same pain on the people that hurt us. Jesus says to not exact revenge. More pain does not resolve the same hurt that was felt. It’s a true case of “Hurt people hurt people.” We need to work towards understanding our hurts, naming the harm and pain, and creating either a path of mutual reconciliation or mutual respect and separation. At the end of the day, the goal is to create an attitude of respect, love, and mercy towards each other. 

REFLECTION CHECKPOINT: How does Jesus’ attitude at His crucifixion change how you view your attitude towards anger and revenge?