Questions from Our Readers

The answer to this question is not as difficult as it sounds. There are many examples in Scripture which speak of the Lord in such a way that God, as it were, adapts His revelation to our finite, human understanding. As a matter of fact, the Bible is full of such a form of speech concerning divine revelation. Therefore, we read, for instance, of His eyes, ears, hands, and other corporal members which are ascribed to the divine Being. Rev. Hellenbroek in his question booklet answers that “all this must be figuratively understood of such properties of God as bear some resemblance to the use of those human members” (Chapter III, Question 2). How condescending is the Lord that He is pleased to reveal Himself in this way; otherwise, no human being would ever begin to even understand, let alone comprehend the very revelation of God concerning man’s need for salvation.

I believe the same principal applies to expressions as “God’s waiting” (Isaiah 30:18) or “God’s delay, or tarrying” (Psalm 70:5 & Matthew 24:48) or God answering “speedily” (Luke 18:8). Of course, there is in God no conflict between the decree of His counsel and the executing of the same, let alone that there would be a delay. Neither is there in Him any succession of time, for in the divine Essence there is an eternal “now” or “present,” for example, from everlasting to everlasting He is God, and one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day (see Psalm 90:2 & 2 Peter 3:8). Hence, I believe it is fully scriptural to speak of God’s waiting or delaying the revelation in both judgment and the showing of mercy. In no way does this minimize who He is.

On the contrary, I believe it reveals who He is! Rev. Kersten explains beautifully in his Reformed Dogmatics about the longsuffering of God that it is His goodness whereby He, as it were, postpones the deserved punishment. He then quotes Isaiah 48:9: “For My name’s sake will I defer Mine anger, and for My praise will I refrain for thee, that I cut thee not off.” Dear reader, is that not a delay? Is that not the time of His grace and mercy when He so mercifully extends to sinners His Word and revealed will? Is that not a waiting of the Lord, a delay, my friend, when the Lord still calls and invites sinners to repentance, and waits to be gracious? It is during this “waiting time” of the Lord that God Himself invites and beseeches the sinner by His Word: “Be ye reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 6:2). p

Send your questions to: Rev. H. Hofman, 2339 Deer Trail Dr. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505, or hofman@premieronline.net.

Deze tekst is geautomatiseerd gemaakt en kan nog fouten bevatten. Digibron werkt voortdurend aan correctie. Klik voor het origineel door naar de pdf. Voor opmerkingen, vragen, informatie: contact.

Op Digibron -en alle daarin opgenomen content- is het databankrecht van toepassing. Gebruiksvoorwaarden. Data protection law applies to Digibron and the content of this database. Terms of use.

Printen