The Frown of God
I received this inquiry:
Hi, I was wondering how we deal with the statements of EGW about the “frown of God” – T.C., Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
Here is my attempt to, hopefully, shed some light on Ellen White’s use of “the frown of God” in relation to the character of God.
Definitions
Modern – dictionary.com
Frown, noun
a frowning look; scowl.
any expression or show of disapproval:
a tax bill that received Congressional frowns.
https://www.dictionary.com/browse/frown?s=t
Webster’s 1828 Dictionary
Frown, noun
1. A wrinkled look, particularly expressing dislike; a sour, severe or stern look, expressive of displeasure.
2. Any expression of displeasure; as the frowns of providence; the frown of fortune.
http://webstersdictionary1828.com/Dictionary/frown
Some Ellen White Uses
I looked at a few statements and have made some comments that may be helpful but could be wrong as well. The first is of interest to me as I have had considerable discussion with some who believe the Sabbath starts at sunrise.
“I asked the angel if the frown of God had been upon His people for commencing the Sabbath as they had. I was directed back to the first rise of the Sabbath, and followed the people of God up to this time, but did not see that the Lord was displeased, or frowned upon them. I inquired why it had been thus, that at this late day we must change the time of commencing the Sabbath. Said the angel: “Ye shall understand, but not yet, not yet.” Said the angel: “If light come, and that light is set aside or rejected, then comes condemnation and the frown of God; but before the light comes, there is no sin, for there is no light for them to reject.” (Testimonies vol. 1, p116)
I like to interpret, as far as seems reasonable, statements (and Bible verses) in light of my understanding of the character of God. God was not displeased or frowning. Yet one could say that was only because the people of God observed the wrong time in ignorance and, once done knowingly, the frown and even condemnation would come.
I think of Jesus’ reply to the woman caught in adultery (I think she knew what she was doing):
“She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.” (John 8:11)
I believe we are to understand the character of God in the light of Jesus’ portrayal of His Father. Sinners (unrepentant) will stand self-condemned in the end. See the Character of God and the Gospel Glossary definition for condemnation which we would likely associate with a frown. The condemnation in the quote form Testimonies 1 above was not from God and the frown could simply be God’s sorrow because His people are rejecting light and missing the Sabbath blessing He intended to give them. God is more concerned for our benefit than for His own. Love seeks not its own.
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“His Spirit is grieved by the pride, extravagance, dishonesty, and overreaching which are indulged by some professing godliness. All these things bring the frown of God upon His people.” (Testimonies vol. 4, p491)
In that quote “the frown of God” occurs in parallel with God’s Spirit being grieved. Could we do this:?
His Spirit is grieved = the frown of God
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Another use in Testimonies vol. 4 has a similar correlation between the frown of God and His being grieved.
“It is exactly in this way that individual members of the church are imperceptibly led on to grieve the Spirit of God, to defraud their neighbors, and to bring the frown of God upon the church.” (Testimonies vol. 4, p492-493)
A frown would seem to indicate displeasure but that does not necessarily mean God is mad at the sinner. We often hear God hates the sin but loves the sinner. This could be similar – God frowns not at the sinner but at the sin and its effects on those He loves.
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“Have we not brought upon ourselves the frown of God because our actions do not correspond with our faith?” (Testimonies vol. 5, p217)
Earlier on that page, Ellen White wrote: “I am filled with sadness when I think of our condition as a people.”
Again there is a link between sins and grief or sadness. If Ellen White felt sadness, God likely felt it even more.
Summary
We have to remember that the Lord is like this:
“Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.” (James 5:11)
He does not keep records of wrong in order to punish. Rather, He notes our sins, shortcomings etc for the purposes of helping us to overcome them. He hurts too and perhaps frowns when things do not go well for us:
“In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.” (Isa 63:9)
God’s character is consistent. We have to look at phrases like “the frown of God” and resolve them with what the Bible says about His character. Often that takes looking at how the words are used in their immediate context and elsewhere in scripture. Could God’s frowns come from Him being afflicted at what happens to his people?