5. Why is it common to think of the Father as the vengeful God of the Old Testament?

The “God of vengeance” must be seen in the context of God’s redemptive action on behalf of His people at the end of time. The dire predictions of some of the Old Testament prophets are addressing the destruction of the enemies of God’s people. There is comfort in knowing God intervenes to save His people from those who hate them. Even here, God takes no delight in the destruction of the wicked, He deeply mourns the loss of their salvation.JTL9 3.4