The Israelites have done just about everything to test God’s infinite patience and love and they have often found themselves oppressed, diminished, and enslaved because they would not be humble before God. They were punished for their misconduct. When they were brought to their knees because of their punishment, they would cry out to God and He would rescue them, always reiterating what He wants:
And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.
Ps 50:15 (KJV)
However, they had a short memory span and probably did not fully understand the meaning of “glorifying God”. They ended up displeasing God all over again and finding themselves in the same (or in worse) circumstances than those they were rescued from.
There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.
Proverbs 6:16-19 (KJV)
Since God does not change, He still hates these things, even in people who know the Word of God.
16 But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth?
17 Seeing thou hatest instruction, and castest my words behind thee.
18 When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him, and hast been partaker with adulterers.
19 Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit.
20 Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest thine own mother’s son.
21 These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes.Ps 50:16-21 (KJV)
This sounds like the introduction to a lesson learned the hard way. God’s wrath hurts (Lamentations 2). Consider what happened to Adam and Eve for disobeying and see where it led mankind. Remember why Noah built an ark so a handful of righteous men would survive the flood while the rest of humanity was set to perish? Why was there a flood in the first place?
He does not only turn his wrath to the unbelievers, but also against those who are supposed to know him and those He chose.
5 Therefore have I hewed them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth: and thy judgments are as the light that goeth forth.
6 For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
7 But they like men have transgressed the covenant: there have they dealt treacherously against me.Hosea 6:5-7 (KJV)
God still teaches lessons to his children when they deserve it.
15 The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.
Proverbs 29:15 (KJV)
God is also just and loving.
20 The soul that sins, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.
21 But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he has committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die.
22 All his transgressions that he has committed, they shall not be remembered against him: in his righteousness that he has done he shall live.
23 Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? says the Lord GOD: and not that he should turn from his ways, and live?
24 But when the righteous turns away from his righteousness, and commits iniquity, and does according to all the abominations that the wicked man does, shall he live? All his righteousness that he has done shall not be remembered: in his trespass that he has trespassed, and in his sin that he has sinned, in them shall he die.
25 Yet you say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel; Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal?
26 When a righteous man turns away from his righteousness, and commits iniquity, and dies in them; for his iniquity that he has done shall he die.
27 Again, when the wicked man turns away from his wickedness that he has committed, and does that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive.
28 Because he considers, and turns away from all his transgressions that he has committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die.
29 Yet says the house of Israel, The way of the Lord is not equal. O house of Israel, are not my ways equal? are not your ways unequal?
30 Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, says the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.
31 Cast away from you all your transgressions, by which you have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will you die, O house of Israel?
32 For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dies, says the Lord GOD: therefore turn yourselves, and live.Ezekiel 18:20-32 (KJV)
Just remember this:
10 For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
Psalms 84:10 (KJV)
Related:
5 Truths about the Wrath of God
A Pen for Christian Fiction 