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

Therefore, as a tongue of fire consumes the straw, and as dry grass shrivels in the flame, so their roots will decay and their blossoms will blow away like dust; for they have rejected the instruction of the LORD of Hosts and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel. Therefore the anger of the LORD burns against His people; His hand is raised against them to strike them down. The mountains quake, and the corpses lie like refuse in the streets. Despite all this, His anger is not turned away; His hand is still upraised.

Sinfulness

Isaiah 57:17 See also 1 Kings 8:46, 1 Kings 11:9; 2 Chronicles 19:2, 2 Chronicles 32:25; Ephesians 2:1–3; Colossians 3:5–6

I was enraged by his sinful greed, so I struck him and hid My face in anger; yet he kept turning back to the desires of his heart.

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

So Israel joined in worshiping Baal of Peor, and the anger of the LORD burned against them.

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

God is a righteous judge and a God who feels indignation each day.

He is a jealous God

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

For the LORD your God, who is among you, is a jealous God. Otherwise the anger of the LORD your God will be kindled against you, and He will wipe you off the face of the earth.

He is the universal judge

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

Pour out Your wrath on the nations that do not acknowledge You, on the kingdoms that refuse to call on Your name,

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

The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion.

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

At Horeb you provoked the LORD, and He was angry enough to destroy you.

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

Without pity the Lord has swallowed up all the dwellings of Jacob. In His wrath He has demolished the fortified cities of the Daughter of Judah. He brought to the ground and defiled her kingdom and its princes.

Future judgment

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

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.

God's rejection of his people

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

Cut off your hair and throw it away. Raise up a lamentation on the barren heights, for the LORD has rejected and forsaken the generation of His wrath.’

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

For His anger is fleeting, but His favor lasts a lifetime. Weeping may stay the night, but joy comes in the morning.

God's anger cannot be averted by human means

Zephaniah 1:18 See also Proverbs 11:4

Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to deliver them on the Day of the LORD’s wrath. The whole earth will be consumed by the fire of His jealousy.” For indeed, He will make a sudden end of all who dwell on the earth.

Humility and repentance are required

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

Seek the LORD, all you humble of the earth who carry out His justice. Seek righteousness; seek humility. Perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the LORD’s anger.

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

Lamentations 3:22 See also Hosea 11:9

Because of the loving devotion of the LORD we are not consumed, for His mercies never fail.

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, 1 Thessalonians 5:9

Therefore, since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from wrath through Him!