The patience of God is a profound attribute that reflects His enduring mercy and long-suffering nature towards humanity. This divine patience is often met with contempt and disregard by the wicked, who fail to recognize the opportunity for repentance and redemption that it offers.

Biblical Context

The Bible frequently addresses the theme of God's patience, particularly in the context of His dealings with the wicked. God's patience is not a sign of weakness or indifference but rather an expression of His desire for all to come to repentance. In 2 Peter 3:9 , it is written, "The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."

Despising God's Patience

Despite God's longsuffering nature, the wicked often despise His patience, mistaking it for inaction or approval of their sinful ways. This contempt is highlighted in several passages throughout Scripture. In Ecclesiastes 8:11 , it is observed, "When the sentence for a crime is not speedily executed, the hearts of men become fully set on doing evil." Here, the delay in divine judgment is misconstrued as an opportunity to continue in sin without consequence.

The prophet Isaiah also speaks to this attitude in Isaiah 5:19 , where the wicked mockingly challenge God, saying, "Let Him hurry; let Him hasten His work so we may see it. Let the plan of the Holy One of Israel come, so we may know it." This taunting reflects a deep-seated disregard for God's patience and a failure to understand His righteous timing.

Consequences of Despising God's Patience

The Scriptures warn of the dire consequences for those who despise God's patience. Romans 2:4-5 admonishes, "Or do you disregard the riches of His kindness, tolerance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you to repentance? But because of your hard and unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of wrath, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed."

The patience of God, while vast and enduring, is not infinite in the face of persistent wickedness. The eventual outpouring of His judgment serves as a sobering reminder of the seriousness with which God views sin and the rejection of His grace.

Examples from Scripture

Throughout the Bible, there are numerous examples of individuals and nations that despised God's patience. The antediluvian world, as described in Genesis 6, continued in its wickedness despite God's patience, ultimately leading to the judgment of the flood. Similarly, the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, as recounted in Genesis 19, ignored the warnings and patience of God, resulting in their destruction.

In the New Testament, Jesus Himself laments over Jerusalem in Matthew 23:37 , saying, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling." This poignant expression of divine patience and the city's rejection underscores the tragic consequences of despising God's longsuffering nature.

Conclusion

The patience of God is a testament to His love and mercy, offering the wicked a chance to turn from their ways and seek His forgiveness. However, the despising of this patience is a grave error, leading to inevitable judgment. The Scriptures call for a recognition of God's patience as an opportunity for repentance and a return to righteousness.Romans 2:4
Or despise you the riches of his goodness and forbearance and long-suffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Of the Justice and Patience of the Christians.
... wise man, because he exercises virtue, has patience in himself ... to know more fully
why God permits the wicked and the ... we are an object of regard to God, since He ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xxiii of the justice and.htm

Moreover, we are to Despise Ingratiating Ourselves with Kings or ...
... their other virtues that highest of virtues, patience and fortitude. ... we do not swear
by that as God which has ... die sooner than swear by a wicked and treacherous ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter lxv moreover we are.htm

The Wicked Servant
... knew he could not perform"'Lord, have patience with me ... that in a very terrible way:-
'Thou wicked servant, unworthy ... Let us pray, I say, that God would make us ...
/.../the water of life and other sermons/sermon xviii the wicked servant.htm

What Pleaseth God!
... though hard words may speak The wicked world, and ... Thy head, who seeth in thy ways
What pleaseth God! ... fastens on the Saviour's love Works patience, hope that ...
/.../gerhardt/paul gerhardts spiritual songs/what pleaseth god.htm

Of the Affections and their Use; of Patience, and the Chief Good ...
... the torturers themselves, when cruelty was overcome by patience. ... have often done,
which is a wicked and impious ... but that when compelled to desert God, and to ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xvii of the affections and.htm

"Who Will Rise up with Me against the Wicked?"
... some to "rise up against the wicked," and join ... temper; with lowliness and meekness,
with patience and gentleness ... long-suffering." You have faith in God, and in ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 52 who will rise.htm

2 Thessalonians i. 1, 2
... injure them, and they were manifesting a patience firm and ... great power as to withdraw
us from wicked actions, how ... great advantage to think of it, God would not ...
/.../homily ii 2 thessalonians i.htm

Christian Contentment.
... Cast to the wind the lies by wicked men indited ... depart, Shalt in the goodly throng,
whom God with manna ... In patience, then, possess thy soul a little while, Do ...
/.../gerhardt/paul gerhardts spiritual songs/christian contentment.htm

The Word of God.
... with gracious encouragement; to the wicked with awful ... and mind of Christ, The Word
of God. ... honesty, courtesy, decency, self-restraint, patience, foresight, on ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/westminster sermons/sermon xiv the word of.htm

Psalm XCIV.
... to work less upon the vineyard: since this act of patience belongeth to ... told you,
and for this reason ye are taught, why God spareth the wicked in this ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xciv.htm

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