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NGER is a troubling emotion.
Because we are fallen humans, anger can make us irrational, insensitive, harsh,
brutal, reckless and dangerous. According to James 1:20 our anger does not draw
us closer to God nor does it make us more useful in His hands. Interestingly,
one of the last biblical descriptions of Satan portrays him as one who will be
very angry at the end of his journey (Revelation 12:12 & 17). Yet, the
descriptions of God's anger are sprinkled everywhere throughout the Bible. Is
there anything incongruous here? Sometimes it is hard for us to grasp the
reality of God's anger. It shouldn't be
difficult though. The same cross that
shows us God's love for sinners also shows us His hatred for sin. Jesus took the Father’s wrath for us.
In Jeremiah 25, we find a
prophecy from this weeping prophet concerning the 70 years of captivity that
the Jews were going to endure at the hand of Nebuchadnezzar. Idolatry was their
greatest infraction. And indeed, Israel was not alone in this judgment
(Jeremiah 25:17-27) because they were not alone in their idolatry. So, God
intended with deep emotional vengeance to teach them a truth in war that they
had refused to learn in peace. Polytheism was sure to be purged from that land.
And, it has been. They still have lessons to learn, but we must admit that even
to this day, their national tendency toward the pantheistic polytheism of
ancient times has been effectively replaced by monotheism. But God has more
lessons to teach. And again, He will be
doing it in anger when He comes again (Revelation 19:15).
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