Topical Encyclopedia The concept of God's anger is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, particularly in relation to those who forsake Him. This divine anger is not arbitrary but is a response to the covenantal relationship between God and His people. When individuals or nations turn away from God, His anger is kindled as a form of righteous judgment and a call to repentance.Biblical Instances of God's Anger Against Forsakers 1. Israel's Idolatry: One of the most prominent examples of God's anger is seen in the history of Israel, particularly during their wilderness journey and the period of the Judges. In Deuteronomy 29:25-28 , Moses warns the Israelites of the consequences of forsaking God: "Because they have forsaken the covenant of the LORD, the God of their fathers, which He made with them when He brought them out of the land of Egypt. They went and served other gods and worshiped them, gods they had not known, gods that the LORD had not given to them. Therefore, the anger of the LORD burned against this land, to bring upon it every curse written in this book." 2. The Reign of King Solomon: Solomon's turning away from God due to his foreign wives and their gods provoked divine anger. 1 Kings 11:9-11 states, "Now the LORD grew angry with Solomon because his heart had turned away from the LORD, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice. Although He had warned Solomon specifically not to follow other gods, Solomon did not keep the LORD’s command. Then the LORD said to Solomon, 'Since you have done this and have not kept My covenant and statutes, which I commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom away from you and give it to your servant.'" 3. Judah's Apostasy: The southern kingdom of Judah also experienced God's anger due to their forsaking of Him. In Jeremiah 2:13 , God expresses His grievance: "For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living water, and they have dug their own cisterns—broken cisterns that cannot hold water." This forsaking led to the Babylonian exile as a manifestation of divine judgment. Theological Implications The anger of God against those who forsake Him underscores the seriousness of the covenant relationship. God's anger is not merely punitive but serves as a corrective measure intended to bring His people back to faithfulness. It reflects His holiness and justice, as well as His desire for a faithful and obedient relationship with His people. Prophetic Warnings and Calls to Repentance Throughout the prophetic books, God's anger is often accompanied by calls to repentance. The prophets serve as God's messengers, warning the people of the consequences of their unfaithfulness and urging them to return to the LORD. In Isaiah 1:4 , the prophet laments, "Alas, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a brood of evildoers, children of depravity! They have forsaken the LORD; they have despised the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on Him." New Testament Perspective While the New Testament emphasizes God's love and grace, it also acknowledges His righteous anger against sin and apostasy. Hebrews 10:26-27 warns, "If we deliberately go on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no further sacrifice for sins remains, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume all adversaries." In summary, the anger of God against those who forsake Him is a consistent biblical theme that highlights the gravity of turning away from the divine covenant. It serves as both a warning and an invitation to return to a right relationship with God. Torrey's Topical Textbook Ezra 8:22For I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way: because we had spoken to the king, saying, The hand of our God is on all them for good that seek him; but his power and his wrath is against all them that forsake him. Torrey's Topical Textbook Isaiah 1:4 Library How Solomon Grew Rich, and Fell Desperately in Love with Women and ... Meditations against Despair, or Doubting of God's Mercy. A Jealous God Acts vii. 35 A Treatise against the Heretic Novatian by an Anonymous Bishop. We Speak, Indeed, of the "Wrath" of God. ... Luke x. The Latter Part of the 25Th Verse. The Misery of those Who, Besides Losing the Saints' Rest, Lose the ... The Objection from the Unchangeableness of God is Answered from ... National Apostasy Resources What does the Bible say about anger? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean to not let the sun go down on your anger? | GotQuestions.org What does the Bible mean when it says in your anger do not sin (Ephesians 4:26)? | GotQuestions.org Anger: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Anger: A Characteristic of Fools Anger: Ahab, Because Naboth Would not Sell his Vineyard Anger: Ahasuerus, Toward Vashti, for Refusing to Amuse his Courtiers Anger: Asa, Because the Prophet Rebuked Him Anger: Brings Its own Punishment Anger: Children should not be Provoked To Anger: Connected With: Clamour and Evil-Speaking Anger: Connected With: Cruelty Anger: Connected With: Malice and Blasphemy Anger: Connected With: Strife and Contention Anger: Elihu, Because Job had Beaten his Friends in Argument Anger: Ephraimites, Toward Gideon, for not Soliciting Their Help Against the Midianites Anger: General Scriptures Concerning Anger: Haman, Because Mordecai did not Salute Him Anger: Herod, Toward the Wise Men Who Deceived Him Anger: Jonah, Because the Gourd Withered Anger: Jonathan, on Account of Saul's Persecution of David Anger: May be Averted by Wisdom Anger: Naaman, Because Elisha Directed Him to Wash in the Jordan Anger: Saul, Toward Jonathan, on Account of his Sympathy With David Anger: should not Betray Us Into Sin Anger: Simeon and Levi, on Account of the Humbling of Their Sister, Dinah Anger: Sinful: Simeon and Levi Anger: The People of Nazareth, Toward Jesus Anger: Uzziah Toward Azariah, the Priest, Because of his Reproof of The Anger of God is Averted from Them That Believe The Anger of God is Averted Upon Confession of Sin and Repentance The Anger of God: Against: Apostasy The Anger of God: Against: Idolatry The Anger of God: Against: Impenitence The Anger of God: Against: Sin, in Saints The Anger of God: Against: The Wicked The Anger of God: Against: Those Who Forsake Him The Anger of God: Against: Unbelief The Anger of God: Aggravated by Continual Provocation The Anger of God: Averted by Christ The Anger of God: Cannot be Resisted The Anger of God: Exemplified Against: Aaron and Miriam The Anger of God: Exemplified Against: Abimelech The Anger of God: Exemplified Against: Builders of Babel The Anger of God: Exemplified Against: Cities of the Plain The Anger of God: Exemplified Against: Egyptians The Anger of God: Exemplified Against: Enemies of Israel The Anger of God: Exemplified Against: Five Kings The Anger of God: Exemplified Against: Israelites The Anger of God: Exemplified Against: Korah The Anger of God: Exemplified Against: Men of Bethshemesh The Anger of God: Exemplified Against: Nadab The Anger of God: Exemplified Against: Saul The Anger of God: Exemplified Against: Saul's Family The Anger of God: Exemplified Against: Sennacherib The Anger of God: Exemplified Against: The Old World The Anger of God: Exemplified Against: The Spies The Anger of God: Exemplified Against: Uzzah The Anger of God: Extreme, Against Those Who Oppose the Gospel The Anger of God: Folly of Provoking The Anger of God: Manifested in Judgments and Afflictions The Anger of God: Manifested in Terrors The Anger of God: Removal of, should be Prayed For The Anger of God: should Lead to Repentance The Anger of God: Specially Reserved for the Day of Wrath The Anger of God: Tempered With Mercy to Saints The Anger of God: The Justice of, not to be Questioned The Anger of God: To be Born With Submission The Anger of God: To be Deprecated The Anger of God: To be Dreaded Related Terms The-not-beloved (1 Occurrence) Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences) Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences) Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences) Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences) |
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