God’s Anger in Action
November 23, 2019
Commentary
Judges 2 gives us a clear picture of God’s anger in action as He deals with the disobedience and sin of Israel. A heavenly messenger brought distressing news to the multitude of Israel assembled at Bochim. This messenger severely rebuked the Israelites for their disobedience in failing to drive out their enemies and for not tearing down their altars (vv. 1-3). Israel’s rebellion was intolerable, and they would have to suffer the consequences of their wrongdoing. Israel was so disturbed by this stern rebuke that she cried (vv. 4-5). However, her tears soon vanished, and her memory was short lived. A new generation soon forgot about the good resolutions made by its parents (vv. 6-10). Could this have been because their fathers were so busy trying to possess the land that they neglected the spiritual instruction of their children?
Contact with the unconquered heathen now produced distressing results. Soon Israel was prostrating herself before Baal which was the Phoenician rain god and Ashtaroth the moon god (vv. 11-13). When any people who knew God forsook Him, the result was a vacuum of religion that soon was filled with other objects of worship. This passage gives us a clear picture of God’s anger in action as He deals with the disobedience and sin of Israel. The time of the judges was a low point in Israel’s history, as God’s people provoked Him to anger by their sin (v. 14). The LORD had warned Israel he would do this, and now the Israelites were miserable (v. 15).
Application
When it comes to me personally getting angry, it’s almost always a good idea for me to think twice, count to ten, take a walk, or do whatever it takes to reconsider my response. But God never needs to reconsider or repent for His anger. Because God is holy and perfect, His anger is holy and perfect.
Judges 2:1– 15 (NET)
1 The angel of the Lord went up from Gilgal to Bokim. He said, “I brought you up from Egypt and led you into the land I had solemnly promised to give to your ancestors. I said, ‘I will never break my covenant with you, 2 but you must not make an agreement with the people who live in this land. You should tear down the altars where they worship.’ But you have disobeyed me. Why would you do such a thing? 3 At that time I also warned you, ‘If you disobey, I will not drive out the Canaanites before you. They will ensnare you and their gods will lure you away.’”
4 When the angel of the Lord finished speaking these words to all the Israelites, the people wept loudly. 5 They named that place Bokim and offered sacrifices to the Lord there.
6 When Joshua dismissed the people, the Israelites went to their allotted portions of territory, intending to take possession of the land. 7 The people worshiped the Lord throughout Joshua’s lifetime and as long as the elderly men who outlived him remained alive. These men had witnessed all the great things the Lord had done for Israel. 8 Joshua son of Nun, the Lord’s servant, died at the age of 110. 9 The people buried him in his allotted land in Timnath Heres in the hill country of Ephraim, north of Mount Gaash. 10 That entire generation passed away; a new generation grew up that had not personally experienced the Lord’s presence or seen what he had done for Israel.
11 The Israelites did evil before the Lord by worshiping the Baals. 12 They abandoned the Lord God of their ancestors who brought them out of the land of Egypt. They followed other gods—the gods of the nations who lived around them. They worshiped them and made the Lord angry. 13 They abandoned the Lord and worshiped Baal and the Ashtoreths.
14 The Lord was furious with Israel and handed them over to robbers who plundered them. He turned them over to their enemies who lived around them. They could no longer withstand their enemies’ attacks. 15 Whenever they went out to fight, the Lord did them harm, just as he had warned and solemnly vowed he would do. They suffered greatly.
Illustration: Lincoln Burn the letter
Abraham Lincoln’s Secretary of War, Edwin Stanton, once complained to the President about a fellow army officer. Lincoln advised him to write the man a letter expressing his anger. Stanton did so and showed it to Lincoln. After approving the letter, the President asked Stanton what he planned to do with it. “Send it,” he answered in surprise. But Lincoln told him to burn the letter. “That’s what I do when I have written a letter while I am angry. It’s a good letter. You had a good time writing it and you feel better. Now burn it and write another.” (Lou Nicholes – Missionary/Author).