(from the Good Word Online website)
Many Christians speak of the so called “Old Testament God” as a God of wrath and violence. I held a similar view until a class forced me to read extended portions of the Old Testament narrative in a short period of time. As I read, I found myself struck, not by God’s wrath and judgment, but his patience and his mercy. During the course of this quarter’s lessons, I hope that we have all caught a glimpse of God’s faithfulness and forbearance . Time and again, we have seen how Old Testament couples failed each other and failed God. Yet, through it all, God did not give up. He continued to work to bring restoration. He acted as a faithful spouse, doing all that was possible to save the “marriage” with his people, Israel.