Attributes of God on F.I.R.E.Sample

Attribute #5 - Longsuffering

The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering (Exodus 34:6).

“Longsuffering” means being slow to or never retaliating even when you have the means for retribution. The Hebrew term translated "longsuffering" literally conveys long of anger. Truly the Lord’s longsuffering matches His self-description given in Exodus 34:5–6 because He did not immediately wipe out the Israelites for breaking the first two commandments with the golden calf incident (Exodus 32:7-14).

In Numbers 13-14, we find another passage displaying the Lord’s longsuffering to Israel. God instructed Moses to send men to spy out the Promised Land (Numbers 13:1–2). The report about Canaan is positive (Numbers 13:25–27) but sadly Israel’s lack of faith is also revealed “Nevertheless the people who dwell in the land are strong; the cities are fortified and very large; …” (Numbers 13:28). The Lord expresses astonishment over the peoples’ unbelief twice using the expression “how long” in Numbers 14:11: “‘How long will these people reject Me? And how long will they not believe Me.’” God had grounds for immediate punishment but relented in response to Moses’ intercession (Numbers 14:17–18). As God had been longsuffering toward the children of Israel, likewise He has repeatedly demonstrated the same slowness to anger toward us!

In 2 Peter 3, Peter states that mockers will taunt those who patiently await Jesus’ return (2 Peter 3:3–4). Peter explains that God’s delay in Christ’s Second Coming is a manifestation of His longsuffering as He is “not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). Jesus, who desires all people to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4), delays His return so more people can be saved before pouring out His wrath upon the inhabitants of the earth.

We see the fruit of Jesus’ longsuffering manifested in the Apostle Paul's life. The Lord’s slowness to anger led to Paul being saved and transformed from a persecutor of Christians into a powerful apostle (Acts 9). Paul, who considered himself the chief of sinners “…obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life” (1 Timothy 1:15–16). Certainly, the Lord’s longsuffering toward others has traversed land and sea to win countless converts from the most unlikely source!

Employment Point: God is longsuffering toward you.