God’s love is greater than His hatred

There's a slight, almost hidden contrast in the first commandment of the Ten Commandments.

It draws my attention because it reveals something about God's personality — and that's always fascinating.

The Bible never hides God's jealousy. His anger shows up quickly when someone sins against Him.

And in the first commandment, we see this very clearly. God warns of punishment to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Him:

אָנֹכִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ אֵל קַנָּא פֹּקֵד עֲוֹ֨ן אָבֹ֧ת עַל־בָּנִ֛ים עַל־שִׁלֵּשִׁים וְעַל־רִבֵּעִים לְשֹׂנְאָי

"...for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sins of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me." (Ex. 20:5)

However, immediately afterward, in stark contrast, God speaks of those who love Him.

And here, His love goes far beyond four generations — it reaches a thousand:

וְעֹשֶׂה חֶסֶד לַאֲלָפִים לְאֹהֲבַי וּלְשֹׁמְרֵ֥י מִצְוֹתָֽי

"...but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments." (Ex. 20:6)

Today, it's common to speak only about the God who loves.

However, the biblical picture is more comprehensive and nuanced.

God is also vengeful, jealous, and angry.

And yet — and this is important — He always loves more than He hates.