Day 2: Slow to Anger

Did you know that “slow to anger” is a Hebrew idiom meaning, “long of nose?” In Hebrew, being long-of-nose meant being patient and not getting angry quickly, as opposed to flaring nostrils or a red face. If your nose burned hot in Hebrew, it meant you were quick to anger and foolish (see the story of Joseph where Potiphar’s nose burned hot in Genesis 39:19). In Proverbs, we find out that being long-nosed (slow to anger), means you are wise and do not act rashly (Prov. 19:11).

I do not know anyone more patient and slow to anger than my dad, and perhaps that is why God gifted him with such a long nose. I have only one memory in my entire childhood of my dad getting angry at me, and one memory of him getting mad at my sister. I have never met someone more patient and merciful.

To be slow to anger is actually to be wise. Nowadays, the quickest to respond angrily to the media and the most easily frustrated influencers on Instagram are called wise and lauded for their ministries. It’s trendy to talk about one’s indignant, “righteous anger.” Yet, we find out here in Proverbs that to be slow to anger is a sign of wisdom.

The next time you burn with anger at a friend, family member, or the media, think of our Heavenly Father who is long of nose. What a cause to worship! Thank you, Lord, for being patient with me and dealing with me in a way where you are slow to anger.