Judgment. It’s just what you’re going to encounter when you read the prophets.

Perhaps that’s why some avoid this part of their bibles. They want the God of steadfast love, abounding grace, and perpetual patience. They want the promises and the blessing. But they struggle with a God of judgment.

They want God on their terms when it comes to how much “faithfulness” to God is enough. They want His holy standards to align with their tolerance of sin. They want His grace to be great enough so that they are safe no matter how little regard is given for His greatness.

But read the prophets, have ears to hear the warning God still speaks to those who think their ways and their idols are the best ways and the best gods, and you’re gonna read of judgment. Very personal and up close judgment. Behold our God . . .

For a burning place has long been prepared; indeed, for the king it is made ready, its pyre made deep and wide, with fire and wood in abundance; the breath of the LORD, like a stream of sulfur, kindles it.

(Isaiah 30:33 ESV)

The breath of the LORD, like a stream of sulfur, kindles it . . .

I read that and then, for some reason (a Holy Spirit reason?), I read it again and then read it again. And I think to myself, “Self, that’s some bad breath!”

Some have said that hell is simply the absence of God. But in the burning place pictured here, God is very much present — like breathing down someone’s neck present. And it stinks! The odor of sulfur. The smell of rotten eggs or burnt matches. The can’t-get-it-off-of-you stench of a skunk’s spray. That’s the breath that kindles the fire of judgment.

And I hover over this not because of any morbid satisfaction in the wicked getting their due in that day, but because it is such the antithesis of God’s desired default — a predisposition I read of just of a few verses earlier.

Therefore the LORD waits to be gracious to you,
       and therefore He exalts Himself to show mercy to you.
For the LORD is a God of justice;
       blessed are all those who wait for Him.

(Isaiah 30:18 ESV)

God waits to be gracious. But He needs to be provoked to wrath (Jer. 25:6-7). He is “slow to anger” but “abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness” (Ex. 34:6) His heart is that none should perish, “but that all would reach repentance” (2Peter 3:9). He has no pleasure in the death of the wicked (Ezek. 18:23, 33;11). Instead, His desire is that all would know the sweetness of His presence (Song 5:16), not the stench of bad breath.

Don’t much care for chewing on judgment. But I sure want a God who is a God of justice.

Don’t like to imagine sulfur breath, but how I worship the One who gave His last breath in order to take my place and pay the price for my sin that I could never pay.

When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished,” and He bowed His head and gave up His spirit [literally, He gave up His breath].

(John 19:30 ESV)

Hallelujah, what a Savior!

Behold our God.

Our God of amazing grace. Our God of all-deserving glory.