The concept of divine judgment upon nations is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, illustrating God's sovereignty, justice, and righteousness. These judgments serve as both a warning and a demonstration of God's power and holiness, often resulting from national sin, idolatry, or rebellion against God's commandments.

Old Testament Examples:

1. Egypt: One of the most notable instances of divine judgment is the series of plagues inflicted upon Egypt, as recorded in the Book of Exodus. Pharaoh's refusal to release the Israelites led to ten devastating plagues, culminating in the death of the firstborn (Exodus 7-12). The plagues demonstrated God's supremacy over the Egyptian gods and His commitment to His covenant people. "But the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he would not listen to them, just as the LORD had said to Moses" (Exodus 9:12).

2. Canaanite Nations: The conquest of Canaan under Joshua was a direct judgment against the Canaanite nations for their abominable practices, including idolatry and child sacrifice. God commanded the Israelites to destroy these nations as an act of divine judgment (Deuteronomy 9:4-5). "It is not for your righteousness or uprightness of heart that you are going in to possess their land, but it is because of the wickedness of these nations that the LORD your God is driving them out before you" (Deuteronomy 9:5).

3. Assyria and Babylon: Both Assyria and Babylon were used as instruments of judgment against Israel and Judah, yet they themselves were not exempt from God's judgment. The prophet Isaiah foretold the fall of Assyria (Isaiah 10:12-19), and Jeremiah prophesied the destruction of Babylon (Jeremiah 50-51). "I will punish the king of Babylon and his land as I punished the king of Assyria" (Jeremiah 50:18).

New Testament Perspective:

While the New Testament focuses more on individual salvation and the coming of the Kingdom of God, it also contains references to national judgment. Jesus Himself prophesied the destruction of Jerusalem, which occurred in A.D. 70 as a result of the nation's rejection of Him as the Messiah (Luke 19:41-44). "For the days will come upon you when your enemies will barricade you and surround you and hem you in on every side" (Luke 19:43).

Principles of Divine Judgment:

1. Righteousness and Justice: God's judgments are always rooted in His perfect righteousness and justice. Nations are judged according to their deeds, particularly their treatment of the poor, the oppressed, and their adherence to or rejection of God's laws (Amos 1-2).

2. Repentance and Mercy: Despite the severity of judgment, God often provides opportunities for repentance. The account of Nineveh's repentance in response to Jonah's warning is a testament to God's mercy (Jonah 3:4-10). "When God saw their actions—that they had turned from their evil ways—He relented from the disaster He had threatened to bring upon them" (Jonah 3:10).

3. Ultimate Judgment: The Bible also speaks of an ultimate judgment of nations at the end of the age. In Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus describes the separation of the sheep and the goats, symbolizing the final judgment based on how nations and individuals have responded to the needs of "the least of these."

Throughout Scripture, the judgments inflicted upon nations serve as a reminder of God's authority over all the earth and His desire for nations to walk in righteousness and justice.Genesis 15:14
And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Jeremiah 51:20,21
You are my battle ax and weapons of war: for with you will I break in pieces the nations, and with you will I destroy kingdoms;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Rejuvenation and Restoration of Israel.
... Israel has been a homeless wanderer among the nations and yet has he preserved his
individuality. Sore have been the Divine judgments inflicted upon him and ...
/.../pink/the redeemers return/8 the rejuvenation and restoration.htm

Approaching Doom
... severe chastisements were to be inflicted upon the rebellious ... its former position
among the nations of earth ... consequence about to suffer His severest judgments. ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 35 approaching doom.htm

The Last Words of the Old and New Testaments
... And the reference historically is to the judgments that were inflicted upon the
nations that occupied the land before the Israelitish invasion, those ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the last words of the.htm

Messianic Predictions in the Prophets.
... beholds the most distant nations reverentially offering ... while He brings inexorable
judgments upon the wicked ... Zion, who through the inflicted judgments of the ...
/.../christology of the old testament/messianic predictions in the prophets.htm

God's Dealings with the Earth During the Tribulation Period.
... upon the earth which crucified their Creator, and will cast their stars upon it. ...
A similar picture of the Divine judgments which will be inflicted at this ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the redeemers return/3 gods dealings with the.htm

The Prophet Joel.
... In Habakkuk and Jer. chap. 25. the judgments which the Chaldeans inflicted upon
Judah, appear only as a part of a universal judgment upon all nations. ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the prophet joel.htm

The Blessing of Jacob Upon Judah. (Gen. Xlix. 8-10. )
... My law, and walk not in My judgments; if they ... to pour oil into the wounds then inflicted
is visible. The whole announcement is based upon the supposition that ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the blessing of jacob upon.htm

Exposition of Chap. Iii. (ii. 28-32. )
... The darkness upon the whole land of Egypt, while there ... the forerunner of coming divine
judgments, or an ... of those which have been already inflicted; compare the ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/exposition of chap iii ii.htm

Fourthly; all the [Credenda, Or] Doctrines, which the True, Simple ...
... spread over all the eastern nations, that out of ... the exact righteousness of all his
judgments, and to ... positive punishment which shall be inflicted upon them in ...
/.../xiii proposition xiii fourthly all.htm

The Prophet Hosea.
... were the severe punishments which He inflicted upon the people ... in whom mercy is bestowed
upon the whole ... be altogether borne down by destructive judgments; xiii.14 ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the prophet hosea.htm

What are all the different judgments in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What are the seven seals of Revelation? | GotQuestions.org

What are the seven bowls/vials of Revelation? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus