Anger Part 1

 

    Anger is a strong feeling of displeasure.  It is a God-given emotion meant to be constructive, but normally becomes destructive.  It depends on how the person handles their anger.  Anger is triggered when a boundary is crossed.  It is a signal that something is wrong and needs to be addressed.  Just anger is a response to sin.  Sinful anger is prolonged due to unforgiveneness, violent, and leads to destructive behavior.

    There are several words for anger in Hebrew.  The most common is kaa'as (כַּעַס).  Kaa'as also stands for sorrow, so it refers to pent up anger that's never expressed.  In Aramaic, anger is za'ama (זעמה) which translate to fury or rage.  In Greek it is orge (ὀργή).  In Latin it is ira.  English anger comes from the old Norse word angr which means grief or vexation.  It was introduces between 1150 and 1200.

    Jacob spoke his last words to his sons giving them personalized instructions.  Simeon and Levi were known for their anger that turned them into weapons of violence.  Their anger led to murder and cruel acts to animals.  Jacob cursed their anger.  Their wrath and cruelty caused them sorrow.  

    God came down in a cloud and stood with Moses.  God called out Yahweh as he passed in front of Moses.  He declared who He was: Lord.  Yahweh is compassion and mercy.  He is slow to anger.  He has unfailing love and is faithful.  He gives His love to a thousand generations.  

    He forgives sin, rebellion, and iniquity, but He doesn't excuse the guilt.  The sins of parents fall onto the children and grandchildren where entire families are affected for three to four generations.  He has proven His power.

     Mises fasted 40 days and nights because of the sin of God's nation.  He feared God's anger.  God's anger has power and can destroy anything.  God heard Moses' prayer and did not destroy Aaron.  Moses then destroyed the idol until it was dust and removed it from the camp.  God is slow to anger, but when He does get angry it is never good for people.  It is better to never make Him angry.

    If you abandon God's covenant and serve idols or live for yourself, then God's anger will burn.  It normally leads to a curse.  His anger is fury and holds power.  It will uproot nations.  At best the people are banish, but they can be destroyed all together.  

    After Moses' generation died out, the next generation did not remember all God had done for His people.  They chose to do evil in God's eyes.  They abandoned God by pursuing false gods.  This angered God.  He handed Israel over to raiders that took their wealth and treasures.  The nation became weak and could no longer fight against enemies that attacked them.  In God's anger, He stopped protecting Israel.  He was teaching them a lesson on who really held the power.

    The proud and stubborn do not listen to God.  They refuse to obey His commands or remember His miracles.  They choose slavery to sin over freedom that God provides.  God is always ready to forgive, be gracious, and merciful.  He is much slower to anger than any person.  His love never fails.  He does not abandon you.  You abandon Him.  It is blasphemies that make God angry.  It is wise to avoid that and seek God.

Genesis 49:2-7, Exodus 34:5-7, Numbers 14:17-19, Deuteronomy 9:18-20, 29:25-28, Judges 2:10-15, & Nehemiah 9:16-18