To our merciful God the act of punishment is a strange act. “As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked.” Ezekiel 33:11.... Yet He will “by no means clear the guilty.” “The Lord is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked.” Exodus 34:6, 7; Nahum 1:3. By terrible things in righteousness He will vindicate the authority of His downtrodden law. The severity of the retribution awaiting the transgressor may be judged by the Lord’s reluctance to execute justice. The nation with which He bears long, and which He will not smite until it has filled up the measure of its iniquity in God’s account, will finally drink the cup of wrath unmixed with mercy. {FLB 338.5}

For vor barmhjertige Gud er det at straffe, en fremmed handling. ”Så sandt jeg lever, siger Gud Herren: Jeg ønsker ikke den uretfærdiges død.” Ez. 33,11 . . . . . Alligevel vil han ”under ingen omstændigheder afklare den skyldige.” “Herren er sen til vrede, men stor i kraft