Final answer:
Jonathan Edwards's phrase 'the bow of God's wrath is bent, and the arrow made ready on the string' signifies that God is on the verge of unleashing His anger, akin to an archer ready to release an arrow, aimed at compelling sinners to repent and return to religious devotion.
Step-by-step explanation:
When Jonathan Edwards says, "the bow of God's wrath is bent, and the arrow made ready on the string," he means that God is prepared to demonstrate His anger towards sinners.
This metaphor illustrates the intense and impending nature of divine judgment. Edwards' sermon, "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God," uses vivid descriptions to convey the dangers of sin and the frightening reality of Hell. He aimed to awaken a religious fervor by highlighting the severity of God's wrath and the need for repentance.
His language suggests that, like an archer with a bow fully drawn, God is on the verge of releasing his judgment upon those who are unrepentant. This imagery serves to instill fear and encourage a return to devout practice among the believers.