by Todd Clippard

God is indeed a God of emotions. Though not specifically mentioned, one can only imagine the disappointment of God at Adam and Eve when they transgressed in the Garden. One can hear the disappointment in Jesus’ voice as He said to Philip in John 14:9, “Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?“

Understanding this verse also helps us to understand this aspect of God’s nature. Jesus was God in the flesh, God personified and manifested before men. Jesus was a being of great emotions, therefore it holds that God the Father is also a Being of emotions.

Also, Hebrews 4:14-16 describes Jesus as one who was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. In order for this to be a reality, Jesus would of necessity have to be subject to all the emotions of the human condition.

However, consider the following emotions specifically attributed to God:

• GRIEF

In Genesis 6:6, after man had abandoned God and pursued only wickedness, the Bible says God “was sorry that he made man on the earth and He was grieved in His heart.”

• ANGER/WRATH

In Exodus 4:14, the Bible speaks of the anger of the Lord being kindled against Moses. In Number 25:4, God’s anger is spoken of as being fierce. Revelation 14:11 describes hell as a place where the wrath of God is poured out without mixture. More than 100 times we can read of the anger or wrath of God.

• LOVE

John 17:26 — “And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.”

Ephesians 2:4 — “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, . . .”

John 3:16 — “For God so loved the world . . .”

• HATE

Malachi 2:16 says God hates divorce. Deuteronomy 12:31 says God hates idolatry. Zechariah 8:17 says the Lord hates evil hearts and false oaths. Proverbs 6:16-19 lists 6 things the Lord hates, yea seven that are an abomination to Him.

• JOY

Nehemiah 8:10 says the joy of the Lord is our strength.

I’m sure there are others which could be sought out, and perhaps some others have come to your mind. But this is sufficient to show that God does indeed have and exhibit emotions.