The anger of God, as depicted in the Bible, is a manifestation of His divine justice and holiness, particularly evident in His dealings with the enemies of Israel. Throughout the Old Testament, God's wrath is portrayed as a righteous response to sin, idolatry, and opposition to His chosen people, Israel. This divine anger serves as both a warning and a demonstration of God's commitment to His covenant with Israel.

1. Egypt and Pharaoh:

One of the earliest and most dramatic examples of God's anger against the enemies of Israel is seen in the narrative of the Exodus. Pharaoh's refusal to release the Israelites from bondage provoked a series of plagues, culminating in the death of the firstborn in Egypt. The Bible records, "But Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he would not let the Israelites go, just as the LORD had said through Moses" (Exodus 9:35). God's anger was further demonstrated when He parted the Red Sea for the Israelites and then allowed it to collapse upon the pursuing Egyptian army (Exodus 14:26-28).

2. Canaanite Nations:

As the Israelites entered the Promised Land, God's anger was directed against the Canaanite nations due to their idolatry and wickedness. The Lord commanded Israel to drive out these nations, as seen in Deuteronomy 9:4-5: "It is not because of your righteousness or your integrity that you are going in to take possession of their land; but on account of the wickedness of these nations, the LORD your God will drive them out before you" . The conquest of Jericho and the subsequent destruction of its inhabitants (Joshua 6) exemplify God's judgment against those who opposed His people.

3. Philistines:

The Philistines, perennial enemies of Israel, frequently experienced God's anger. One notable instance is the capture of the Ark of the Covenant by the Philistines, which led to a series of calamities, including the affliction of tumors and the destruction of their god Dagon's statue (1 Samuel 5:1-12). The return of the Ark to Israel was accompanied by further divine retribution against the Philistines, demonstrating God's protective anger on behalf of His people.

4. Assyria:

The Assyrian Empire, known for its brutality and aggression, was used by God as an instrument of judgment against Israel but was not exempt from His wrath. The prophet Nahum prophesied the downfall of Nineveh, the Assyrian capital, declaring, "The LORD is slow to anger and great in power; the LORD will by no means leave the guilty unpunished" (Nahum 1:3). The eventual destruction of Nineveh in 612 BC fulfilled this prophecy, showcasing God's anger against those who oppressed His people.

5. Babylon:

Babylon, another formidable enemy, was initially used by God to discipline Judah. However, Babylon's pride and cruelty led to its own judgment. The prophet Jeremiah foretold Babylon's downfall, stating, "For the LORD is a God of retribution; He will repay in full" (Jeremiah 51:56). The fall of Babylon to the Medes and Persians in 539 BC was a testament to God's anger against those who exalted themselves against Him and His people.

6. Edom:

Edom, a nation descended from Esau, harbored perpetual hostility towards Israel. The prophet Obadiah pronounced judgment against Edom, highlighting their violence and betrayal: "Because of the violence against your brother Jacob, you will be covered with shame; you will be destroyed forever" (Obadiah 1:10). God's anger against Edom was a response to their persistent enmity and refusal to aid Israel in times of distress.

These examples illustrate that the anger of God against the enemies of Israel is not arbitrary but is rooted in His justice, holiness, and covenantal faithfulness. Through these acts of divine wrath, God not only defends His people but also upholds His righteous standards against sin and rebellion.1 Samuel 5:6
But the hand of the LORD was heavy on them of Ashdod, and he destroyed them, and smote them with tumors, even Ashdod and the coasts thereof.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Samuel 7:10
And as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel: but the LORD thundered with a great thunder on that day on the Philistines, and discomfited them; and they were smitten before Israel.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Prophecy of Obadiah.
... of Edom, we have only a principle exemplified which applies ... and corrupts his compassions,
and his anger tears perpetually ... of the enemies of the kingdom of God. ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the prophecy of obadiah.htm

In the Creation of the World, and all Things in It, the True God ...
... We know how David, through the just anger of God ... to overlook the glorious perfections
which God displays in ... The former is exemplified when we consider how great ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 14 in the creation.htm

The Sovereignty of God in Operation
... exerts upon the wicked was strikingly exemplified in the ... Another equally striking
illustration of God directing the ... O Assyrian, the rod of Mine anger, and the ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter six the sovereignty of.htm

Elijah's Weakness, and Its Cube
... full of compassion and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy and truth.'
It was exemplified in the ... earthquake, and fire may be God's precursors, and ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/elijahs weakness and its cube.htm

The Sins of Communities Noted and Punished.
... the fierceness of his wrath, wherewith his anger was kindled ... quits his charge, and
their guardian God becomes the ... We see this exemplified in the history of the ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xxix the sins of.htm

Exposition of the Moral Law.
... parents, and this more from the implacable anger than the ... not in accordance with
the justice of God that a ... and that nothing of the kind was exemplified in what ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 8 exposition of the.htm

The Introduction to the Work, with Some Account of the Nature of ...
... by sensible objects, and guarded against a treacherous ... Heavenly contemplation will
be exemplified, chap.16, and the ... God's "anger endureth but a moment; in his ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter i the introduction to.htm

Of Civil Government.
... they are enjoined not to provoke to anger, and by ... duty, this ought especially to
be exemplified in the ... and inclinations of kingdoms.65 [691] "God standeth in ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 20 of civil government.htm

On the Great Athanasius, Bishop of Alexandria.
... passion, who, under the dominion of their anger, thrust away ... In brief, he exemplified
the virtues of two celebrated ... our blessed one, true man of God and great ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xxi on the great.htm

The Seventh Book
... they by their abuse have labored to arouse his anger. ... terms and we rejected them;
they honored God even in ... the words of our Lord were clearly exemplified in us ...
//christianbookshelf.org/salvian/on the government of god/the seventh book.htm

How can I know for sure that my anger is righteous indignation? | GotQuestions.org

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Anger: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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