What does "My anger will burn" reveal about God's character? Setting of the Phrase Exodus 32:10: “Now leave Me alone, so that My anger may burn against them and consume them. Then I will make you into a great nation.” Israel has just fashioned the golden calf. The words come from the LORD Himself as He speaks to Moses on Sinai. Divine Anger in Scripture • Psalm 7:11: “God is a righteous judge, a God who displays His wrath every day.” • Nahum 1:2–3: “The LORD is a jealous and avenging God… The LORD is slow to anger but great in power.” • Hebrews 12:29: “For our God is a consuming fire.” These verses frame anger as a real, recurring aspect of God’s self-revelation, never denied or softened. What “My anger will burn” Says about God • Holy intolerance of sin – God’s anger ignites when holiness is violated. Idolatry breaks the first two commandments (Exodus 20:3–5). – Romans 1:18 echoes the theme: “The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness.” • Personal, emotional involvement – The LORD is not an impersonal force. “My anger” shows that emotions—perfect, righteous emotions—belong to Him (Hosea 11:8). – Anger is not weakness; it is the proper moral response of a living, feeling God. • Covenant faithfulness – Burning anger arises because He takes His covenant seriously (Deuteronomy 29:20). – Justice against covenant treason demonstrates that God keeps His word—both blessings and curses. • Measured and purposeful, not explosive rage – “Leave Me alone” (Exodus 32:10) signals control; He invites Moses to intercede. – The same chapter ends with mercy after Moses’ plea (Exodus 32:14), proving wrath is never arbitrary. • Protective love – A parent’s fierce anger against a threat to the family mirrors God’s jealousy for His people (Zechariah 1:14). – By punishing sin, He guards the purity and future of the covenant community. Take-Home Truths • God’s anger is real, righteous, and rooted in His holiness. • His wrath is never reckless; it serves His redemptive purposes. • The seriousness of sin magnifies the wonder of grace: the same God who says, “My anger will burn,” also says, “I will heal their apostasy; I will freely love them” (Hosea 14:4). |
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