God’s Anger

By | January 2, 1997

Isaiah 5:25 Therefore is the anger of the LORD kindled against his people, and he hath stretched forth his hand against them, and hath smitten them: and the hills did tremble, and their carcasses were torn in the midst of the streets., For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.

Tim , I understand this passage (the vineyard parable ) to say that even though the Lord is patient and loving that it is a dangerous thing to keep trying His patience and that the people of Israel had turned away and would not heed His love and admonitions to turn back to Him .I believe that in this verse His hand was outstretched in anger and had not been withdrawn , was still outstretched .

I have folks who do not agree with this and say that His hand is outstretched in love to His people. Now , I know that His love is always there, but THIS passage is referring to His anger, right? Twice in this one verse His anger is referred to .

I believe it is hard for people to reconcile the image their mind has of a loving Savior and the Father God , who cannot look upon sin and will bring judgment upon His people .

Can you help me to better explain this to my study group. Yesterday I gave them lots of references to God’s love as well as verses showing the judgment and anger of God . I thought the parable that preceded this verse explained it very well. I appreciate your help and patience .

Because He lives

Yes, without a shadow of a doubt, this verse is referring to Gods Anger! It’s so hard to realize that Gods attributes are totally equal and balanced. God is Love but He’s also a God of Judgment! Hebrews 10:30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. 10:31 It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Now why do you suppose Paul would say “The Lord shall judge his people” in the New Testament where God is showing His Love through Grace? Because God never changes, the God of Wrath in the Old Testament is the same God of Love in the New Testament. Malachi 3:6 For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

Jesus Christ is God, so we also have to look at His nature too!!! Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. And Jesus Christ is not only our Judge, but the Judge of the whole world. Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Look how the Savior Himself showed that righteous anger… John 2:13 And the Jews’ passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem, 2:14 And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: 2:15 And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables; 2:16 And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise.

The reason your having a hard time getting folks to understand this is because it’s human nature (the flesh) that only wants to look at the positive side from their viewpoint. Jesus Christ didn’t come to throw a bucket of water on the Lord Gods Wrath. He came to give us a way for our souls to be rescued from Gods Wrath… John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him shall not perish, but have everlasting life. 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed on the name of the only begotten Son of God.

It seems clear enough to me! Isaiah 5:24 Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have cast away the law of the Lord of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel. 5:25 Therefore is the anger of the Lord kindled against his people, and he hath stretched forth his hand against them, and hath smitten them: and the hills did tremble, and their carcases were torn in the midst of the streets. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.

If you go against Gods Perfect will, then you’re kindling Gods wrath! Especially His people. Hebrews 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 12:7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 12:8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.

Sounds like anger and wrath to me!!! God is capable of it, but not only capable, He’s more than justified!

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