Divine judgment is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, illustrating God's righteousness, holiness, and justice. These judgments serve as both warnings and lessons for humanity, demonstrating the consequences of sin and disobedience. Below are several notable examples of divine judgment as recorded in the Scriptures.

The Flood (Genesis 6-9):
The account of the Great Flood is one of the earliest and most significant examples of divine judgment. Humanity had become exceedingly wicked, prompting God to express regret for creating mankind. Genesis 6:5-7 states, "Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great upon the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was altogether evil all the time. And the LORD regretted that He had made man on the earth, and it grieved Him in His heart." In response, God decided to cleanse the earth with a flood, sparing only Noah, his family, and pairs of every living creature. This judgment underscores God's intolerance of sin and His willingness to start anew with a righteous remnant.

Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18-19):
The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were notorious for their grave sins, particularly sexual immorality and inhospitality. God revealed to Abraham His intention to destroy these cities due to their wickedness. Despite Abraham's intercession, the cities were ultimately destroyed by "brimstone and fire from the LORD out of the heavens" (Genesis 19:24). This judgment serves as a stark warning against moral depravity and highlights God's justice in dealing with unrepentant sin.

The Plagues of Egypt (Exodus 7-12):
The ten plagues that befell Egypt were divine judgments against Pharaoh and the Egyptian gods, demonstrating God's supremacy and power. Each plague targeted specific aspects of Egyptian life and religion, culminating in the death of the firstborn. Exodus 12:12 declares, "On that night I will pass through the land of Egypt and strike down every firstborn—both man and beast—and I will execute judgment against all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD." These judgments were instrumental in liberating the Israelites from bondage and establishing God's covenant with His chosen people.

The Golden Calf (Exodus 32):
While Moses was on Mount Sinai receiving the Law, the Israelites constructed a golden calf and engaged in idolatrous worship. God's anger burned against them, and He threatened to destroy the nation. However, Moses interceded, and God relented from bringing total destruction. Nevertheless, a plague struck the people as a consequence of their sin (Exodus 32:35). This incident illustrates the seriousness of idolatry and the need for faithful adherence to God's commandments.

Korah's Rebellion (Numbers 16):
Korah, along with Dathan, Abiram, and 250 other leaders, challenged Moses' and Aaron's authority. In response, God caused the earth to open and swallow the rebels, while fire consumed the 250 men offering incense. Numbers 16:32-33 records, "And the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them and their households, all Korah’s men and all their possessions. They went down alive into Sheol with all they owned. The earth closed over them, and they vanished from the assembly." This judgment emphasizes the importance of respecting God's chosen leaders and the dangers of rebellion against divine authority.

Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5):
In the early church, Ananias and Sapphira sold a piece of property and deceitfully withheld part of the proceeds while claiming to donate the entire amount. Peter confronted them, and both fell dead as a result of their deception. Acts 5:3-5 states, "Then Peter said, 'Ananias, how is it that Satan has filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and withhold some of the proceeds from the land? Did it not belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? How could you conceive such a deed in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God!' On hearing these words, Ananias fell down and died." This judgment serves as a sobering reminder of the seriousness of sin, particularly hypocrisy and deceit within the community of believers.

These examples of divine judgment throughout the Bible reveal God's unwavering commitment to justice and righteousness. They serve as both warnings and lessons, urging believers to live in obedience and reverence before a holy and just God.