Understanding God's Wrath

Jeremiah 25:15–16 (ESV) Thus the LORD, the God of Israel, said to me: “Take from my hand this cup of the wine of wrath, and make all the nations to whom I send you drink it. 16 They shall drink and stagger and be crazed because of the sword that I am sending among them.”

Jeremiah is called on to communicate to the nations God's coming judgment. As much as we don't like to talk about this subject, it is all over the Bible and particularly emphasized in Revelation. So we do well to pay attention earlier in the Biblical canon. 

God's wrath is symbolized by wine. Have you ever thought about why? It is a picture of how God brings judgment. People think it's a lightning bolt from heaven. It is not. It is handing a nation over to their own stupidity. Sin, when left unrestrained, intoxicates a person or nation and makes them self-destructive. God usually brings His wrath by simply letting us go on our own self-determined demise. 

After the nations are told to drink the cup of God's wrath, Jeremiah describes the picture of the Lord in judgment. 

Jeremiah 25:30 (ESV) “You, therefore, shall prophesy against them all these words, and say to them: “ ‘The LORD will roar from on high, and from his holy habitation utter his voice; he will roar mightily against his fold, and shout, like those who tread grapes, against all the inhabitants of the earth.

The next verse speaks more of the judgment.

Jeremiah 25:31 (ESV) The clamor will resound to the ends of the earth, for the LORD has an indictment against the nations; he is entering into judgment with all flesh, and the wicked he will put to the sword, declares the LORD.’

And finally, the next verse:

Jeremiah 25:32 (ESV) “Thus says the LORD of hosts: Behold, disaster is going forth from nation to nation, and a great tempest is stirring from the farthest parts of the earth!

What do you notice about all these verses depicting the terrible judgment of God upon sinful, disobedient people? God's judgment is brought about through loud and clear warnings again and again. He roars, He shouts, He resounds. In other words, men are without excuse. 

The sword comes, and the tempest encompasses it, but only after plenty of warning. 

Moreover, God judges the leaders of the people as well. 

Jeremiah 25:34–35 (ESV) “Wail, you shepherds, and cry out, and roll in ashes, you lords of the flock, for the days of your slaughter and dispersion have come, and you shall fall like a choice vessel. 35 No refuge will remain for the shepherds, nor escape for the lords of the flock.

This is important. Sometimes, we may think the leaders of corrupt nations get away with it because they have power and influence. God says, "No!" They will not be spared. Either in this life or the next, those who destroy others God will bring into perfect judgment. 

Understanding the Lord's action in judgment is imperative for a full picture of who He is and what He does. Could there be something the Lord is shouting about in your life and nation? Could it be time to wake up and realize that you may be running headlong into a self-determined disaster? If so, the kindest thing someone can do is tell you the truth about it.