We are in Numbers chapter one with our word for today, used for the first time in the Bible. קֶ֫צֶף anger, ill-humor, frustration, judgment of anger. It is used 28 times in the Old Testament. Our word is used in the sense of bitterness, a feeling of deep and bitter anger and ill-will. Ecclesiastes 5:16-17 This also is a grievous evil: just as he came, so shall he go, and what gain is there to him who toils for the wind? Moreover, all his days he eats in darkness in much vexation and sickness וָקָֽצֶף and anger. Most of the uses of our word are in the sense of wrath, a feeling of intense anger that does not subside, often on an epic scale. A good example of this is the next day after Korah’s rebellion when the people grumbled against YWHW. Numbers 16:43-46 And Moses and Aaron came to the front of the tent of meeting, and the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Get away from the midst of this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment.” And they fell on their faces. And Moses said to Aaron, “Take your censer, and put fire on it from off the altar and lay incense on it and carry it quickly to the congregation and make atonement for them, for הַקֶּ֛צֶף wrath has gone out from the Lord; the plague has begun. Another good example is in Jeremiah that shows the intensity. Jeremiah 10:10 But the Lord is the true God; he is the living God and the everlasting King. מִקִּצְפּוֹ֙ At his wrath the earth quakes, and the nations cannot endure his indignation. This is how our word is used in our chapter. Numbers 1:53 But the Levites shall camp around the tabernacle of the testimony, so that there may be no קֶ֔צֶף wrath on the congregation of the people of Israel. And the Levites shall keep guard over the tabernacle of the testimony. God makes it know a head of time what the boundaries are for our relationship with him. He gave the Levites this specific role to guard the tabernacle so that his wrath might not have to come down on the people because of their disregard and sin of not respecting his instructions. God has our best interests at heart, and he wants to protect us from harm. We also see God’s grace through out the Bible even when he has become anger with his people because of their sin. Here are a few great passages I will close with. Isaiah 54:6-8 For the Lord has called you like a wife deserted and grieved in spirit, like a wife of youth when she is cast off, says your God. For a brief moment I deserted you, but with great compassion I will gather you. In overflowing קֶ֗צֶף anger for a moment I hid my face from you, but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you,” says the Lord, your Redeemer. Psalm 38:1, 15 O Lord, rebuke me not בְּקֶצְפְּךָ֥ in your anger, nor discipline me וּֽבַחֲמָתְךָ֥ [this is a different word for wrath we have looked at before it has the idea of being hot with anger] in your wrath! … But for you, O Lord, do I wait; it is you, O Lord my God, who will answer. 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10 For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.
