INTRODUCTION: Many people feel that the concept of a God of Anger is an out-dated, old-fashioned and wrong belief. God is too loving and kind to ever do anything in anger to anyone! But the Bible, from God Himself, says differently. God is both gracious to the good, and angry at the wicked (Exodus 20:5-6). It is also a NT concept, taught by Jesus (John 3:36). The Bible says that God is slow to anger. Isaiah describes six sins of Israel that angered God:

I. The Sin of Covetousness (Is. 5:8-10).
A. Some people want everything for themselves, and nothing for everyone else.
Children sometimes do this with toys. "Mine!"
B. God made special provisions about the Land of Israel (Lev. 25:8-10, 13-16, 23-31).
Today the Arabs and Israelites fight over the land. They had better listen to God,
who gave it to the descendents of Isaac for an everlasting possession.
C. You and I don't own real estate in Palestine, but we can be covetous!

II. The Sin of Licentiousness (Is. 5:11-17).
A. Apparently, a lot of Israelites were spending a lot of time drinking and partying!
B. There are a lot of people in America today that party and get drunk on a regular basis. People die everyday because of drunk drivers. Alcohol and drugs are more commonly used than most of us Christians can imagine.
C. If you are addicted to this stuff, get help. If you haven't started, don't start.

III. The Sin of Promoting Sin (Is. 5:18-19).
A. We are all sinners (Romans 3:23). But some people promote sin, usually for money.
B. Pornographers, Whiskey makers, Drug Lords, Washington Lobbiests, Weapon sellers...Gambling (promoted by organized crime and by the government), debt pushers...

IV. The Sin of Calling Good Evil, and Evil Good (Is. 5:20).
A. Examples: The wholesale promotion of homosexuality by the media. "Gays" have little to be gay about.
The pro-abortion crowd hides behind the smoke-screen of women's rights, and women's health. Of only having children that are truly loved. They are actually detrimental to women's rights and health, and of course actually cruel to those little unborn babies.
Sinful sexual activities are called "affairs," and are glamorized as fun and exciting, and harmful to no-one. In reality there is disease, guilt, broken marriages, mental wounds
for a lifetime.

V. The Sin of Conceit/Pride (Isaiah 5:21).
This was Satan's sin. Adam and Eve's sin. We need to humble ourselves under God and His Word.

VI. The Sin of Corruption and Injustice in the Courts (Isaiah 5:22-23).
A. Note: High society, judges, lawyers, congressmen, are just as likely to overdo the
alcohol and drugs as are the poor street people. They just dress it up better.
B. In years gone by, government corruption was something that they did in other countries. Bribes for a passport, for a driving license, for justice in the courtroom, etc. What is happening to America? What does God think about it?

CONCLUSION: God is loving and forgiving, slow to anger. But He does get angry, and He will judge the wicked. Let's pray for our country, and let's do all we can to be salt and light.

Prayer
*Hymn # 483 "Lead On O King Eternal"