“Let not steadfast
love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write
them on the tablet of your heart.”
“I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger
and abounding in steadfast
love.”
The first quote comes from the book of Proverbs, and we
might paraphrase it this way: “Do not ever allow yourself to stop being
consistently loving and trustworthy; make these qualities part of the fabric of
your being.” As a father, King Solomon is challenging his sons and others who
will eventually read his wise words to be people of exceptional kindness and
consistency.
The second quote here is the prophet Jonah’s complaint to
God, and it pretty much explains itself. But it also serves to illuminate the
first quote a little bit.
