Back when Ahab first killed Naboth, God passed judgment on Ahab and his family.
Yet when Ahab humbled himself, God in his mercy put off that judgment. (1 Kings 21:21-29)
Even so, it wasn’t long before Ahab rebelled against God one final time and he died. (1 Kings 22)
What’s remarkable to me, though, is how much grace God showed his son Joram. Over a period of twelve years, time and again, God helped him (2 Kings 3, 5-7).
God also showed his impeccable timing to Joram, leading him to help the Shunnamite woman. (2 Kings 8:1-6)
I don’t know if there was any other ungodly Israelite king that God had showed so much grace to.
And yet, in the end, we see no sign that Joram actually ever repented and started following God.
Instead, he clung to his sins and refused to turn from them (2 Kings 3:3).
And so in the end, judgment came.
What’s my point?
It’s easy to think of God as being harsh in his punishments in the Old Testament.
But I think it’s worth remembering that he was also very patient and gracious with even the most rebellious people.
As a just God, he can’t put off judgment forever. But he isn’t a God that delights in judgment. Rather he delights in mercy. And it’s his desire that people repent.
As God would tell the prophet Ezekiel,
As I live—this is the declaration of the Lord God—I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked person should turn from his way and live. (Ezekiel 33:11)
Moment to Moment (Bible blog) 