But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.

 Leviticus 24

But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. 2 Peter 3:8-10

This afternoon, I continued my study of Leviticus using the Christ-Centered Exposition series commentary for this book - continuing chapter twenty-one - In God's Presence  - covering Leviticus 24:1-23, looking specifically at the third theme for the chapter - We Relate to God Reverently.  Here, we tackle a difficult question - to what extent should we fear and revere God?  The commentary theme for today looks specifically at Leviticus 24:10-16 and v23 - these verses describe how a man blasphemes God, and how God directs Moses to have the man stoned to death as his punishment, and how then the "people of Israel" carried out this punishment. The commentary discusses how theologians and Biblical scholars stress the need to "balance God's immanence and His transcendence" (see DesiringGod.com on this balance, as well as dictionary definitions of immanence and transcendence).  We must balance our view of God who desires an intimate relationship with us (see post yesterday as an example) with a view of God, as described by the commentary, as "not...a mere mortal man, but...the all-powerful Lord of Hosts, Creator of the Universe!  We must always observe that distinction...God tells us repeatedly in His Word to fear Him."  We are referred to Hebrews 10:31 as one of many scriptural examples that remind us to fear God.  The author of the commentary then writes: "[s]ome people are surprised by the severity of God's judgement of the man who blasphemed.  On the contrary, I am surprised by the extent of God's mercy.  We are surrounded by blasphemers.  At work, at school, and in the media we are regularly hear people scoff at the truth of God's Word, mock God's people, and publicly deny God's existence.  Yet God allows them to live another day, and another, and another.  He mercifully gives them many opportunities to turn to Him in faith.  The commentary then describes how Paul refers to God's "extraordinary patience" in 1 Timothy 1:16 and how Peter wrote about the same thing in 2 Peter 3:8-10. The commentary wraps by examining a question: "[w]ho knows how many opportunities [God] gave to the man described in Leviticus 24?....God's judgement of him was an act of mercy to everyone in the man's life, so that they would not learn to blaspheme from him and go into an eternity of suffering and separation from God.  In eternity God will be treated as holy; He will be worshiped as God.  We relate to God reverently."

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who is SO patient with me and full of mercy for me - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a God!  My sin of harshness with others, etc. is great.  Please forgive me Jesus!  Help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to accept You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.