Justice or Mercy?

Now the people began complaining openly before the Lord about hardship. When the Lord heard, His anger burned, and fire from the Lord blazed among them and consumed the outskirts of the camp. Then the people cried out to Moses, and he prayed to the Lord, and the fire died down. SO that place was named Taberah, because the lord's fire blazed among them. Numbers 11:1-3
 
Nowhere else is such intolerance and harsh judgement metered out to the Israelites. They were in close communion with their God, His presence was on them and there was a price to pay for grumbling. God was providing them with manna from heaven 6 days a week but they wanted meat. God was so cross He actually gave them meat and said they would have so much it would come out of their nostrils and then He became angry again and disease broke out.
 
Have you ever experienced such feelings of intolerance for whinging and complaining from others? You have rage like fire wanting to spill forth against the ungrateful. Now we know where we get it from.
 
Yet, consuming everyone with fire would leave no one so Moses had to intercede, even though he was angry himself. Moses is a type of Christ. Our saviour intercedes on our behalf before the throne of God. We deserve fire and plague yet we get grace. Yet it is not good to tempt grace.
 
Jesus taught us that we should love one another just as He loves us. He loves with grace and mercy. The only way I can love with grace and mercy is to allow His love to fill me, otherwise I would not be capable. His agape love covers a multitude of sin and only His love will prevail.
 
I am so grateful for Christ, without Him we are undone! Amen! 

 

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