Judges 10:6 The Israelites again did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, worshiping the Baals and the Astartes, the gods of Aram, the gods of Sidon, the gods of Moab, the gods of the Ammonites, and the gods of the Philistines. Thus they abandoned the LORD, and did not worship him. 7 So the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of the Philistines and into the hand of the Ammonites, 8 and they crushed and oppressed the Israelites that year. For eighteen years they oppressed all the Israelites … So the Israelites cried to the LORD, saying, “We have sinned against you, because we have abandoned our God and have worshiped the Baals.” 11 And the LORD said to the Israelites, “Did I not deliver you from the Egyptians… and the Maonites, oppressed you; and you cried to me, and I delivered you out of their hand. 13 Yet you have abandoned me and worshiped other gods; therefore I will deliver you no more. 14 Go and cry to the gods whom you have chosen; let them deliver you in the time of your distress.” 15 And the Israelites said to the LORD, “We have sinned; do to us whatever seems good to you; but deliver us this day!” 16 So they put away the foreign gods from among them and worshiped the LORD; and (God) could no longer bear to see Israel suffer.

What strikes me in this passage is the emotional response God has to Israel’s disobedience. In the first part of the passage God responds like a jilted lover, “Go and cry to the gods whom you have chosen…”. And at the end the passage we’re told that God “could no longer bear to see Israel suffer” – which sounds more like a parent than a lover. In any case there can be no doubt that God has a strong emotional attachment to Israel. In Myers-Briggs personality profile lingo, God has a strong “feeler” dimension.

As a feeler myself, reading of God’s emotions makes me feel closer to God, more understanding of how God might respond to creation. Much of scripture refers to God as “Father”, which is how I understand him. This is not to suggest God is male as I am male. God has no need of a gender for procreation purposes, thus God brings both male and female qualities. In any case, I am encouraged to know that my heavenly Father “feels” for me. And for you.

Starting Tuesday night I’ve had a virus of some sort messing with me. I’ve had signs consistent with Covid-19 though the rapid test I took yesterday came back negative. I’m feeling a bit better today, though still experiencing viral symptoms. Please pray for me, that I will be healed completely. Whatever kind of virus it is that has me ill.

Heal me heavenly Father. Amen.