Topical Bible: The Anger of God: Manifested in Judgments and Afflictions

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The concept of the anger of God is a significant theme throughout the Bible, reflecting His holiness, justice, and righteousness. God's anger is not capricious or unjust; rather, it is a response to sin, disobedience, and rebellion against His divine will. The anger of God is often manifested in judgments and afflictions, serving as both a warning and a corrective measure to lead His people back to righteousness.

Old Testament Manifestations

In the Old Testament, the anger of God is frequently depicted in His dealings with the nation of Israel and other nations. One of the most notable instances is the judgment upon Sodom and Gomorrah, where God’s wrath was poured out due to the grievous sins of the cities. Genesis 19:24 states, "Then the LORD rained down sulfur and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah—from the LORD out of the heavens."

The plagues of Egypt are another example of God's anger manifested in judgment. Pharaoh's hardened heart and refusal to release the Israelites led to a series of devastating plagues. Exodus 7:4 records God's words: "Pharaoh will not listen to you. Then I will lay My hand on Egypt and bring out My divisions, My people the Israelites, out of the land of Egypt by great acts of judgment."

The anger of God is also evident in His dealings with Israel during their wilderness journey. When the Israelites constructed a golden calf and worshiped it, God's anger burned against them. Exodus 32:10 reveals God's response: "Now leave Me alone so that My anger may burn against them and consume them. Then I will make you into a great nation."

Prophetic Warnings and Judgments

The prophets frequently warned of God's impending judgment due to the persistent sin and idolatry of the people. The book of Isaiah, for instance, contains numerous references to God's anger. Isaiah 13:9 declares, "Behold, the Day of the LORD is coming—cruel, with fury and burning anger—to make the earth a desolation and to destroy the sinners within it."

Jeremiah also speaks of God's anger, particularly in relation to the Babylonian exile. Jeremiah 25:6-7 warns, "Do not follow other gods to serve and worship them, and do not provoke Me to anger with the work of your hands. Then I will do you no harm. But you did not listen to Me, declares the LORD, and you have provoked Me to anger with the work of your hands to your own harm."

New Testament Perspectives

In the New Testament, the anger of God is still present, though often in the context of eschatological judgment. The Apostle Paul speaks of God's wrath being revealed against all ungodliness and unrighteousness. Romans 1:18 states, "The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness."

The book of Revelation vividly describes the final outpouring of God's wrath upon a sinful world. Revelation 16:1 commands, "Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, 'Go, pour out on the earth the seven bowls of God’s wrath.'"

Purpose and Redemption

While the anger of God is a response to sin, it is also an expression of His desire for repentance and restoration. God's judgments are intended to lead people back to Him. In Ezekiel 18:23 , God declares, "Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Lord GOD. Wouldn't I prefer that he turn from his ways and live?"

Ultimately, the anger of God is satisfied through the atoning work of Jesus Christ. Romans 5:9 assures believers, "Therefore, since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from wrath through Him!" Through Christ, believers are reconciled to God, escaping the ultimate judgment and experiencing His grace and mercy.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Job 21:17
How oft is the candle of the wicked put out! and how oft comes their destruction on them! God distributes sorrows in his anger.
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Psalm 78:49-51
He cast on them the fierceness of his anger, wrath, and indignation, and trouble, by sending evil angels among them.
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Psalm 90:7
For we are consumed by your anger, and by your wrath are we troubled.
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Isaiah 9:19
Through the wrath of the LORD of hosts is the land darkened, and the people shall be as the fuel of the fire: no man shall spare his brother.
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Jeremiah 7:20
Therefore thus said the Lord GOD; Behold, my anger and my fury shall be poured out on this place, on man, and on beast, and on the trees of the field, and on the fruit of the ground; and it shall burn, and shall not be quenched.
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Ezekiel 7:19
They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold shall be removed: their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the LORD: they shall not satisfy their souls, neither fill their bowels: because it is the stumbling block of their iniquity.
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Hebrews 3:17
But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcasses fell in the wilderness?
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Library

God's Dealings with the Earth During the Tribulation Period.
... hosts, and in the day of His fierce anger" (Is.13:9 ... their hearts as it will then
be manifested, that we ... their tongues for pain, and blasphemed the God of heaven ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the redeemers return/3 gods dealings with the.htm

A Plain Description of the Essence and Attributes of God, Out of ...
... his church, in whom he hath thus graciously manifested himself (Psal ... infinite, how
darest thou provoke him to anger?"if thou believest that God is simple ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/a plain description of the.htm

A Treatise of the Fear of God;
... Now this fear, whether it be wrought by misapprehending of the judgments of God,
as ... their own performances of them, as a means to pacify the anger of God. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a treatise of the fear.htm

It is a Ground for Thanksgiving that During the Last Three or Four ...
... we are told, "Therefore thus saith the Lord God; because ye ... so will I gather you
in Mine anger and in ... When the Antichrist is manifested, great companies of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/it is a ground for.htm

Letter xi. Mental Cultivation. Reading.
... the king of Assyria the "rod of his anger," for chastising ... and the evil nature of
sin, as manifested in the ... The dealings of God with his own people differ from ...
/.../letter xi mental cultivation reading.htm

The Acceptable Sacrifice;
... fear of thee, and I am afraid of thy judgments' (Psalm 119 ... It is very sad when God
smites, and we are not ... But such as know the power of his anger will have a ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the acceptable sacrifice.htm

The Promise in 2 Samuel, Chap. vii.
... glorious things to His servant, He has manifested Himself as ... the Messiah appears
as the Son of God [Greek: kat ... is to be saved, and whose anger brings destruction ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the promise in 2 samuel.htm

The Resemblance Between the Old Testament and the New.
... of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed ... means redeem his brother, nor
give to God a ransom ... a remedy for their patience: "His anger endureth but a ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 10 the resemblance between.htm

Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews.
... polity too, [2386]424, [2387]427 sqq.; fortitude of, manifested by God ... Long-suffering
tames anger, [3195]468 ... 3317]417; of Abraham, [3318]418; why God teaches it ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homilies on the epistle to.htm

The Loved Ones Chastened
... unwittingly, which cut you to your heart, and manifested your sin ... When God chastises
you he does not punish as a ... ones, there is not one thought of anger in his ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/the loved ones chastened.htm