Years ago, Debbie and I loved A Terrible Beauty Irish Pub in Renton. It wasn’t because we’re Irish (though, to some extent, we both are), nor was it because we love beer (the only kind I really like is root beer), but because of their great food! Actually, the initial draw was a BOGO coupon (shocking, I know!). But it was their Reuben—thick with Corned Beef—that kept us coming back. Sadly, the place closed down years ago. Probably too many people using coupons! But the phrase terrible beauty was brought to mind this morning as I was doing my devotions, not because of corned beef, but because of the juxtaposition of that which strikes terror and that which is beautiful found in Psalm 29. After a challenge for God’s people to ascribe glory to Yahweh, the psalm goes on to describe the voice of God using the terminology of a massive storm, one that “thunders” and “breaks the cedars” and “strikes with flashes of lightning.” The psalm concludes… The voice of the Lord twists the oaks and strips the forests bare. And in his temple all cry, “Glory!” The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord is enthroned as King forever. The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.” What powerful imagery is found in this psalm—with equally powerful truth. A storm can be beautiful to witness from a safe distance because of its powerful effects, but it can be terrible if you find yourself the object of its destructive power. By using the storm as a metaphor for God’s power, the psalmist paints an unbelievably evocative portrait of God. For those who do not believe in God—who reject His Word, His love, His life—God should strike terror in their hearts. For to those who reject their Maker, His arrival is cause for grief, just as the arrival of a parent for a disobedient child is cause for grief. But for those who trust in God—who embrace His Word, His love, His life—God’s presence inspires peace in our hearts. For to those who embrace their Maker, His arrival is cause for rejoicing, just as the arrival of a parent for an obedient child is cause for joy. Our culture, and even too many in the Christian sub-culture, have sought to portray God as one who is only beautiful, whose presence only means peace, regardless of whether His will, His Word and His person have been rejected. But this portrayal of God simply does not cohere with God’s Word. This is exactly what we see when God reveals Himself to Moses in Exodus 34:6-7: And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation.” Our God is gracious and compassionate, yet He does not leave the guilty unpunished. But even this statement, “He punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers,” does not speak of arbitrary judgment against the innocent, for God makes clear in Deuteronomy 24:16 that a child must not be punished for the sin of a parent. What is Exodus 34:7 saying? That there are corporate ramifications for our sins. As recorded in Hard Sayings of the Bible: This notion is difficult for Westerners to appreciate, since we place such a high premium on the individual. But Scripture warns us that there is such a thing as corporate responsibility. None of us functions in complete isolation from the society and neighborhood to which we are attached. Want proof? Just ask the mother of the child killed by senseless gun violence in a culture that rejects the sanctity of human life. We are all susceptible to victimization in an increasingly God-rejecting culture.
Having said this, the focus in Exodus 34 is clearly on the love of God demonstrated to thousands. And even though one might be under condemnation for sin, what we find in Scripture is a God who longs to relent in judgment, as revealed in Jonah. The Ninevites, by repenting of their sin, stayed God’s hand of judgment. In the same way, all who look to God in faith, no matter our pedigree, cultural upbringing or personal failings, experience grace and forgiveness from the One who abounds in love and faithfulness. It’s true! God’s power and justice means terror for those who reject Him, both from temporary, earthly consequences for sin and eternal separation from our Maker in Hell. But for us who look with faith on Him, receiving forgiveness in Jesus’ sin-conquering death, we find that “Yahweh blesses His people with peace.” In 2022, may we be those who share this peace with others, trust in this peace ourselves, and respond to this peace with “Glory!”
1 Comment
Darryl Staszewski
1/11/2022 04:45:44 am
Thank you
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Dan GannonDan has ministered at Renton Bible Church, with his wife Debbie, since 2003. Archives
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