Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  5000 Humanity  »  5760 Human attitudes and behaviour  »  5789 anger  »  5790 anger, divine

The anger of God is directed against all human sin, disobedience, rebellion and wickedness, which threaten to thwart his purposes for his creation and people.

Causes of divine anger

Disobedience

Isaiah 5:24-25 See also Numbers 22:22; Joshua 7:1; 2 Kings 22:13; Psalm 78:21-22; Micah 5:15; Zechariah 7:12; Mark 3:5; Romans 2:5; Ephesians 5:5-6; Hebrews 3:7-12

Sinfulness

Isaiah 57:17 See also 1 Kings 8:46; Kings 11:9; 2 Chronicles 19:2; 2 C 25; Ephesians 2:1-3; Colossians 3:5-6

Apostasy and idolatry

Numbers 25:3 See also Deuteronomy 4:25; Deuteronomy 9:8; Joshua 22:18; Joshua 23:16; Judges 2:19-20; Judges 10:6-7; 1 Kings 14:15; 2 Kings 22:17; Ezra 9:14; Jeremiah 7:17-18

The characteristics of God that provoke his anger

He is a holy God

Psalm 7:11 See also Joshua 24:19-20; Jeremiah 10:10

He is a jealous God

Deuteronomy 6:15 See also 1 Kings 14:22; Psalm 79:5; Ezekiel 16:38; Nahum 1:2

He is the universal judge

Psalm 79:6 See also Ezra 8:22; Isaiah 34:2; Zephaniah 3:8

He is also compassionate and slow to anger

Psalm 103:8 See also Exodus 34:6; Nehemiah 9:17; Psalm 78:38; Psalm 86:15; Jonah 4:2; Nahum 1:3

Consequences of divine anger

Death and destruction

Deuteronomy 9:8 See also Exodus 15:7; Exodus 32:10-11; Numbers 11:1-2; Job 4:9; Isaiah 13:5; Jeremiah 32:29

Present judgment

Lamentations 2:2 See also Numbers 32:13; 2 Kings 13:3; Isaiah 51:20; Ezekiel 7:8; Habakkuk 3:12; Matthew 21:12-13

Future judgment

Isaiah 13:9 See also Daniel 8:19; Matthew 3:7; Romans 2:5

God's rejection of his people

Jeremiah 7:29 See also Deuteronomy 31:17; 2 Kings 17:18; Kings 23:25-27; Psalm 78:59; Psalm 89:38; Lamentations 2:6-7

Being saved from the anger of God

God's anger may be temporary

Psalm 30:5 See also Psalm 103:9; Isaiah 54:8; Isaiah 57:16; Isaiah 60:10

God's anger cannot be averted by human means

Zephaniah 1:18 See also Proverbs 11:4

Humility and repentance are required

Zephaniah 2:3 See also Genesis 18:30-32; Deuteronomy 9:18-19; 2 Chronicles 12:7,12; 2 C 8; Isaiah 64:9; Joel 2:13

God's anger is averted on account of his love for believers

Lamentations 3:22 See also Hosea 11:9

God's anger is averted on account of the work of Jesus Christ

Romans 5:9 See also John 3:36; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; Thessalonians 5:9

See also

1025  God, anger of
1030  God, compassion
1055  God, grace & mercy
1075  God, justice of
1125  God, righteousness
1310  God as judge
2009  Christ, anger of
5283  cup
6125  condemnation, divine
6218  provoking God
6712  propitiation
8768  idolatry