Topical Encyclopedia The anger of God is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, often depicted as a response to sin, disobedience, and rebellion against His divine will. One notable instance of God's anger is exemplified against five Amorite kings during the conquest of Canaan, as recorded in the Book of Joshua.Context and Background The narrative of God's anger against the five kings is set during the Israelite conquest of Canaan under the leadership of Joshua. After the miraculous fall of Jericho and the subsequent victory at Ai, the fame of Israel's God spread throughout the land. The Gibeonites, fearing for their lives, deceived Joshua into making a peace treaty with them (Joshua 9). This alliance incited the wrath of the surrounding Amorite kings, who saw Gibeon's treaty with Israel as a threat to their own security. The Five Kings The five kings who opposed Israel were Adoni-zedek, king of Jerusalem; Hoham, king of Hebron; Piram, king of Jarmuth; Japhia, king of Lachish; and Debir, king of Eglon. These kings formed a coalition to attack Gibeon, prompting the Gibeonites to call upon Joshua for help (Joshua 10:1-6). God's Intervention and Anger In response to the Gibeonites' plea, Joshua led the Israelite army on an all-night march from Gilgal to Gibeon. The Lord assured Joshua of victory, saying, "Do not be afraid of them, for I have delivered them into your hand. Not one of them shall stand against you" (Joshua 10:8). This divine promise underscores God's anger against the five kings, as He actively intervened to ensure their defeat. As the battle commenced, God demonstrated His anger through supernatural means. "The LORD threw them into confusion before Israel, who defeated them in a great slaughter at Gibeon, chased them along the road to Beth-horon, and struck them down as far as Azekah and Makkedah" (Joshua 10:10). Furthermore, as the Amorite armies fled, God unleashed a devastating hailstorm, which killed more of the enemy than the swords of the Israelites (Joshua 10:11). The Fate of the Five Kings The five kings sought refuge in a cave at Makkedah, but their hiding place was discovered. Joshua commanded that large stones be rolled against the mouth of the cave to trap them. After the battle, Joshua ordered the kings to be brought out, and he instructed his commanders to place their feet on the necks of the kings, symbolizing their complete subjugation under God's judgment (Joshua 10:24). Joshua then executed the five kings and hung their bodies on trees until evening, after which they were thrown back into the cave and sealed with stones (Joshua 10:26-27). This act served as a stark demonstration of God's anger and judgment against those who opposed His chosen people and His divine plan. Theological Implications The account of the five kings highlights several key theological themes. It underscores God's sovereignty and His active role in the affairs of nations, particularly in fulfilling His promises to Israel. The narrative also illustrates the seriousness with which God views rebellion and sin, as well as His willingness to use extraordinary means to accomplish His purposes. Moreover, the account serves as a reminder of the covenantal relationship between God and Israel. The Gibeonites' plea for help and Israel's subsequent victory demonstrate God's faithfulness to those who align themselves with His people, even when such alliances are formed under less-than-ideal circumstances. In summary, the anger of God against the five kings is a powerful example of divine judgment and intervention, reflecting His holiness, justice, and unwavering commitment to His covenant promises. Torrey's Topical Textbook Joshua 10:25And Joshua said to them, Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage: for thus shall the LORD do to all your enemies against whom you fight. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library The Sovereignty of God in Reprobation In the Creation of the World, and all Things in It, the True God ... Exposition of the Moral Law. The Important Question Hebrew Captives; Or, Mordecai and Esther. The Letter of the Church of Rome Abraham, his Trial in Egypt; his Humility The Life and Death of Mr. Badman, A Few Sighs from Hell; Memoir of John Bunyan Resources Does God have emotions? | GotQuestions.orgWhat can we learn from the tribe of Simeon? | GotQuestions.org What can we learn from the tribe of Levi / the Levites? | 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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