Anger of God

The nature of God’s anger

It is fearsome

Nahum 1:6 NKJV

Who can stand before His indignation? And who can endure the fierceness of His anger? His fury is poured out like fire, And the rocks are thrown down by Him.

See also Jos 7:26; Eze 38:18

It is reluctant and short-lived

Exodus 34:6 NKJV

And the Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth,

See also Is 54:7–8; Ne 9:16–18

It is consistant with his righteous and merciful character

Psalm 7:11 NKJV

God is a just judge, And God is angry with the wicked every day.

See also Hab 3:2

It fulfils God’s purposes

Jeremiah 23:20 NKJV

The anger of the Lord will not turn back Until He has executed and performed the thoughts of His heart. In the latter days you will understand it perfectly.

See also Je 30:24

The causes of God’s anger

Idolatry and unbelief

Numbers 25:3 NKJV

So Israel was joined to Baal of Peor, and the anger of the Lord was aroused against Israel.

See also Ex 32:8–10; Dt 8:19; Jdg 2:10–14; 1 Ki 14:9; 1 Ki 16:32–33; 1 Ki 22:53; 2 Ki 23:19 Josiah removes idolatrous shrines; 2 Ch 28:25; 2 Ch 34:25; Je 8:19; Je 32:29; Je 44:3; Jn 3:36 the unbelief of rejecting the Son of God; Ro 1:18–23; Ro 2:8

Disobedience and disloyalty

Joshua 7:1 NKJV

But the children of Israel committed a trespass regarding the accursed things, for Achan the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed things; so the anger of the Lord burned against the children of Israel.

See also Dt 9:7; 2 Ki 22:13; 1 Ch 13:10; Ps 106:29; Je 32:32; Zec 7:13; Eph 5:6

Ungodly living

God’s judgment against the ungodly is a sign of his anger against actions that contradict his righteous character and purposes:

2 Ti 3:1–9; Jud 14–16

Pride, arrogance and hypocrisy

Matthew 23:27–28 NKJV

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

See also 2 Ch 32:25; Pr 3:34; Pr 8:13; Is 13:11; Ho 12:14; Mal 4:1

Complaints against, and opposition to, God’s purposes

Numbers 11:1 NKJV

Now when the people complained, it displeased the Lord; for the Lord heard it, and His anger was aroused. So the fire of the Lord burned among them, and consumed some in the outskirts of the camp.

See also Nu 14:27; Nu 21:5

Injustice

Zechariah 7:9–12 NKJV

“Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Execute true justice, Show mercy and compassion Everyone to his brother. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, The alien or the poor. Let none of you plan evil in his heart Against his brother.’ But they refused to heed, shrugged their shoulders, and stopped their ears so that they could not hear. Yes, they made their hearts like flint, refusing to hear the law and the words which the Lord of hosts had sent by His Spirit through the former prophets. Thus great wrath came from the Lord of hosts.

See also 2 Ch 19:7; Je 22:13; Eze 9:9; Mal 3:5; Mt 23:23

The rejection of God’s servants

Hebrews 10:29–31 NKJV

Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

See also Dt 32:35–36; Ps 135:14; Ne 9:26; Zec 7:12; Mt 21:33–41; Ac 7:35–37

God reveals his anger

In present times

Romans 1:18 NKJV

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,

See also Je 10:10

On a future “day of wrath” which is anticipated

Romans 2:5 NKJV

But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God,

See also Is 13:9; Is 13:13; Eze 7:19; Zep 1:15; Zep 1:18; Zep 2:2

The consequences of God’s anger

God allows those who reject righteousness to remain in their sin

Romans 1:18–32 NKJV

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

See also 1 Ki 14:16; 2 Ch 12:5; Ne 9:28; Is 54:7–8; Je 7:27–29; Je 12:7–8

Punishment will be experienced by rebellious people

Deuteronomy 8:19 NKJV

Then it shall be, if you by any means forget the Lord your God, and follow other gods, and serve them and worship them, I testify against you this day that you shall surely perish.

See also Is 59:18; Je 21:14; Mt 18:34–35; Mt 25:28–30

Punishment of death:

Ex 12:12; Nu 32:13; Jos 7:25–26; Is 13:9–13; Da 5:30; Ac 5:5; Ac 5:10

Punishment of exile:

1 Ki 14:15; Je 15:13–14; Je 25:7–11

Destruction of the whole nation of Israel:

La 2:1–9; Eze 38:19–21

God will be feared as his holiness and greatness are revealed

Isaiah 59:18–19 NKJV

According to their deeds, accordingly He will repay, Fury to His adversaries, Recompense to His enemies; The coastlands He will fully repay. So shall they fear The name of the Lord from the west, And His glory from the rising of the sun; When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him.

See also Eze 38:22–23

Ultimately God will purify and restore his people for service

Malachi 3:2–4 NKJV

“But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner’s fire And like launderers’ soap. He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi, And purge them as gold and silver, That they may offer to the Lord An offering in righteousness. “Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem Will be pleasant to the Lord, As in the days of old, As in former years.

See also Je 15:19–21