anger of God – Be Still…

Numbers 14:1-25 – When We Rebel

Read Numbers 14:1-25

How brave are you when venturing into the unknown? I think of Abraham and Sarah leaving all that was familiar to follow God’s leading. Even closer to home, I remember packing up our Prius with the necessities of life and our four dogs and crossing the border into Mexico.

It’s natural to be wary of new things. But I think Moses’ crowd of followers went a little overboard in their dramatic rebellion! I felt sorry for Moses and Aaron who “fell face down on the ground,” no doubt questioning everything about their leadership, feeling like they had let the people down. Continue reading “Numbers 14:1-25 – When We Rebel”

Ezekiel 7:1-13 – The End is Coming

Read Ezekiel 7:1-13

If Chicken Little was in Israel hearing Ezekiel’s words, he would surely be running for his life screaming, “the sky is falling, the sky is falling.” I remember my grandpa reading me that story as a young girl. But the Israelite people didn’t believe it, even though the prophets continued to bring the same message.

In this passage, we see multiple times that the LORD’s fury focuses on the people’s “detestable sins” that will not be tolerated. The Sovereign Lord has spoken, and “no hope remains.” Israel had used up all their “immunity,” and doom was now certain. Yet, God did not want them to be blindsided by what was coming. If only they would listen! Continue reading “Ezekiel 7:1-13 – The End is Coming”

Jeremiah 25:15-29 – A Cup of God’s Anger

Read Jeremiah 25:15-29

What a metaphor God uses here in this teachable moment: a cup filled with his wrath to be shared. His anger overflows to other nations, not just Judah! God directed Jeremiah to the nations sharing in this promise of doom. They were surrounding nations and those, like Egypt, who had done business or had association in some way with Judah.

I’m unsure how Jeremiah would “make” those other nations drink. What does that even mean exactly? But Jeremiah claims to have been successful on that mission. Can you imagine what the other nations thought after hearing the God of Israel was not only pouring out his wrath on his own people but on them, too! Whether they listened or not is unknown. The time was coming when they’d be “crazed by the warfare” God was sending their way.