The Bible Project did a 14-part podcast series on five characteristics that God uses when describing Himself to Moses. Their discussions on the middle attribute – slow to anger – were fascinating. In particular, I couldn’t stop thinking about their question, “Who is the first person God gets angry with in the Scriptures?” Unbelievably, the answer doesn’t come anywhere in Genesis, nor is God’s “burning hot nose” directed toward a pagan individual. It’s not until the 54th chapter of the Bible that God’s anger is first mentioned and it’s directed at, of all people, Moses!
This revelation set me on a path, alongside the podcasts, of looking at many of the stories in Genesis, Exodus, and Numbers where God’s anger is and (surprisingly) isn’t mentioned, figuring out why God is angry, and what is (or is not) His response.
Attached is a PDF of my notes.
