God’s emotions, including anger, are part of His perfect and holy nature. In the Bible, God’s anger is often a response to sin, injustice, rebellion, and idolatry. Despite His omniscience—knowing everything that will happen—God’s responses to human actions are real and part of His righteous character.

Consider Exodus 34:6-7, where the Lord describes Himself: “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion, and sin. Yet He does not leave the guilty unpunished; He punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.” This passage reveals God’s nature as just and merciful, patient yet righteous.

God’s knowledge of future events does not negate the genuineness of our free will or His emotional responses to our choices. In essence, God’s anger is not like human anger, which is often irrational and sinful. Rather, it is a holy reaction to sin, a reflection of His justice and righteousness. God’s foreknowledge and His emotional responses work together within His perfect will and purpose. Understanding this helps us grasp the depth of God’s desire for righteousness and the seriousness with which He regards sin.