The Lord is Patient or 'arek 'aph

Recently, our Moms in Prayer group began our time of prayer by praising the Lord that He is patient. We used three scriptures: Galatians 5:22-23; 1 Timothy 1:16; and 2 Peter 3:9.

 

I love doing word studies, so when I got home, I looked up the words in the texts translated patient.

 

According to Strong's, the Greek word used in Galatians 5:22 and 1 Timothy 1:16 is makrothymia, meaning patience, endurance, constancy, steadfastness, perseverance, forbearance, longsuffering, slowness in avenging wrongs.

 

The word used in 2 Peter 3:9 is just slightly different. It is makrothymeō, meaning to be of a long spirit, not to lose heart, to persevere patiently and bravely in enduring misfortunes and troubles, to be patient in bearing the offenses and injuries of others, to be mild and slow in avenging, and to be longsuffering, slow to anger, slow to punish.

 

Interestingly, both words can also be translated "far feeling" according to other Greek Interlinear sources. And the Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary of the New Testament adds clement and indulgent. Hmm.

 

Exodus 34:6 records the words the Lord used to describe Himself to Moses using the Hebrew word, 'arek, which also means patient, longsuffering, or slow to anger. Here, though, there is an additional word, 'aph, that is attached to the first. This is the word that "anger" comes from. It is a word that refers to the nostril, nose, or face. Gesenius' Lexicon says it is like "the blowing of breath through the nostrils, as of those who are enraged."

 

Just think. It was the breath of God, the One whose words breathed out and created everything. So, what would happen if His breath blew out in anger?

If you take some time to really consider, though, and think about how patience applies to the character of God, there is another word you can add—understanding.

 

I think the one thing that makes God's patience possible towards us humans is His understanding. Because He is all wise, all knowing, and present everywhere from the beginning to the end of time, His understanding is infinite. That fills Him with compassion for His creation. This is the same compassion that Matthew 9:36 mentions, "Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he had compassion for them because they were troubled and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." (CEB)

Aren't you thankful? Our God is abundantly worthy of our praise!

 

The Lord passed in front of Moses and said,

“I am the Lord. The Lord is a God who shows ·mercy [compassion],

who is ·kind [gracious],

who doesn’t become angry quickly [patient],

who has great ·love [loyalty] and faithfulness.

Exodus 34:6 (EXB)