THEOSISClement of Alexandria
However, the one who issues threats does not possess an essential longing to quench his wrath or fulfill his menace; rather, through instilling fear in us, he curtails our propensity to sin. His humanity is further illustrated by his patience, as he reveals the consequences that will ensue if one persists in transgression, not resembling a venomous serpent that strikes without warning. God is benevolent, and before enacting His purposes, the Lord ultimately urges, “I will gather calamities upon them, and I will exhaust My arrows upon them; they shall be consumed with famine, destroyed with fever and fierce disease; and I will send upon them the teeth of beasts, and the poison of them that crawl upon the earth. Outwardly the sword shall destroy them, and terror in the houses” (Deut.
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32:23-25). Thus, the Divine nature is not as full of wrath as some may believe; often, His desire is to restrain humanity, consistently encouraging and guiding them towards righteousness. This approach of instilling fear to prevent sin is indeed beneficial, for “the fear of the Lord drives away sins; but he that hath not this fear cannot be justified” (Sir. 1:21), according to Scripture. God’s chastisement does not stem from fury, but from justice, for should punishment arise solely from our actions, it would lead to our own detriment.