Jeremiah 25: The Lord's Fierce Anger

Christians are blessed with many beautiful images of God given to us from the Bible.  He is a good, gentle shepherd.  He is a mother hen, gathering her chicks.  He is the father of a lost, prodigal son waiting for his boy's homecoming.  He is a handsome bridegroom awaiting his bride.  There are, however, disquieting images of God as well, especially in the genre of Old Testament prophecy.

For instance, Jeremiah 25 contains an alarming picture of God's fierce anger.  "This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, said to me: 'Take from my hand this cup filled with the wine of my wrath and make all the nations to whom I send you drink it'" (vs. 15).  A long list of countries then follows, beginning with Judah and continuing through "all the kingdoms on the face of the earth" (vs. 26).  These are the ones who will bear the brunt of God's wrath.

Death and destruction is coming because of the Lord's fierce anger.  "Now prophesy all these words against them and say to them: 'The Lord will roar from on high; he will thunder from his holy dwelling and roar mightily against his land.  He will shout like those who tread grapes, shout against all who live on the earth'" (vs. 30).  Weeping and wailing follow this decree of judgment against the nations.

Sometimes it is hard for people, especially twenty-first century Christians raised on a steady diet of peaceful images of Jesus, to comprehend the "wrath of God."  Why is He so angry?  Is His rage fair?  Is it even becoming of God?  You've probably heard others ask these questions, or maybe pondered them yourself.

Perhaps, however, we should add another set of questions.  Are there things that should enrage us, that should provoke us to anger, but we turn a blind eye?  When we see children exploited and sexually abused?  When we see people lie and cheat one another?  When we see unborn children killed as a matter of convenience?  When we see some people starving and dying of thirst, and others living over-the-top opulent lifestyles?  When we see corruption and injustice among our leaders, both religious and political?

Maybe the problem isn't God's fierce anger; maybe it's our lack of it.