A Jealous God

Thus says the LORD: “For three transgressions of Moab, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment, because he burned to lime the bones of the king of Edom. So I will send a fire upon Moab, and it shall devour the strongholds of Kerioth, and Moab shall die amid uproar, amid shouting and the sound of the trumpet; I will cut off the ruler from its midst, and will kill all its princes with him,” says the LORD.  
Amos 2:1–3
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A Jealous God
The Lord our God is a jealous God. He punishes to the third and fourth generations of those who hate him and do not keep his commandments. He will not go silently by and ignore the sins of the people against his Law. He will not ignore the attacks upon what he has established. The sins of man must be accounted for. He calls for repentance by the mouths of his prophets and pastors. He calls his people to turn from their sins and live. The Lord desires that all humanity live. He does not desire that any should perish. Thus, his Law is preached and the fire from heaven is kindled. What will cause this fire to be cooled and snuffed out? Only one thing, dear Christian, will stop the wrath of our God against our sin. The blood of Jesus on the cross stops his wrath, cools his anger, and establishes love for his people again. The Lord our God shows love to a thousand generations of those who keep his Word. That is a gift of the Holy Spirit. That is a gift of your baptism. Instead of the fire of Moab, the Lord sends the fire of your baptism upon you. Now he sees the righteousness of Jesus. He sees the perfect offering of Jesus. He counts the blood of Jesus as the payment for your sin. Thanks be to God that he has showered us in this love.