Nahum (June 24)
Nahum
The Wrath of God
(June 24)
Ref: Nahum 1:7-9 (NIV)
“The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble.
He cares for those who trust in Him, but with an overwhelming flood He will make an end of Nineveh;
He will pursue His foes into darkness.
Whatever they plot against the LORD He will bring to an end; trouble will not come a second time.”
In our study of Joel and Obadiah the last 2 weeks we’ve talked about “the day of the LORD”
(specifically, as it applied to God’s discipline and His justice).
Although the term is not explicitly used here, the same concept prevails: “God will not abide sin!”
Another part of His nature in how He deals with sin is described here, as well… His wrath!
When I mention the city of Nineveh, what do you think about? [Jonah?]
Nineveh is mentioned multiple times in the Bible as an example of rebellion against God
(mostly through pride and mistreatment of the Hebrew nation).
The modern city of Mosul in northern Iraq is considered to generally represent Nineveh’s geographic location (although the city’s dimensions were, no doubt, slightly different).
It was, at the time of Nahum’s writing (between 663 and 612 B.C.) the capital of Assyria,
which (as God prophesied through Nahum) indeed fell in 612 B.C. to the Medo-Persians and Babylonians.
This freed Judah from Assyrian rule (which had been particularly harsh and had lasted for well over 100 years).
So, how is “the wrath of God” described to us here?
- By describing God’s zeal and power (how He exercises His wrath)
- By describing Nineveh’s imminent destruction (when He exercises His wrath)
- By describing Nineveh’s sins (why He exercises His wrath)
I. How does He exercise His wrath? (Nahum 1)-
a. With vengeance-
Ref: Nahum 1:2 (NIV)
“The LORD is a jealous and avenging God; the LORD takes vengeance and is filled with wrath.
The LORD takes vengeance on his foes and maintains his wrath against his enemies.”
The Hebrew word translated here as “avenging” is “naqam” [naw-kam’], which could also be translated as “punish”.
His vengeance is not a raw, emotional outburst,
but is, instead, a purposeful and planned demonstration of His sovereignty.
b. With patience-
Ref: Nahum 1:3a (NIV)
“The LORD is slow to anger…”
but the fact that God does not respond the same way we do to adversity is highlighted here.
Although this verse is usually misquoted as a statement on God’s “lack of speediness”,
it’s actually a statement on the fact that God isn’t an emotional train wreck waiting to happen.
He will give every opportunity for repentance, because His wrath is furious and permanent.
c. With power-
Ref: Nahum 1:3b-6 (NIV)
“… [the LORD is] great in power;
the LORD will not leave the guilty unpunished.
His way is in the whirlwind and the storm, and clouds are the dust of His feet.
He rebukes the sea and it dries up;
He makes all the rivers run dry.
Bashan and Carmel wither and the blossoms of Lebanon fade.
The mountains quake before Him and the hills melt away.
The earth trembles at His presence, the world and all who live in it.
Who can withstand His indignation?
Who can endure His fierce anger?
His wrath is poured out like fire; the rocks are shattered before Him.”
God’s wrath will be exercised with as much or as little power and might as He deems necessary
(it’s not up to me to decide or dictate to God),
but the amount of power He chooses to use will be enough and will be complete.
II. When does He exercise His wrath? (Nahum 2)-
a. After Unrepentance Takes Root-
Ref: Nahum 2:12 (NIV)
“The lion killed enough for his cubs and strangled the prey for his mate,
filling his lairs with the kill and the dens with his prey.”
and there is no remorse or no desire to change,
God prepares His wrath.
b. Before Destruction is Complete-
Ref: Nahum 2:2 (NIV)
“The LORD will restore the splendor of Jacob like the splendor of Israel,
though destroyers have laid them waste and have ruined their vines.”
He will NOT allow you to be defeated forever.
You WILL rise up again (sometimes as a result of His wrath,
but ALWAYS as a result of His sovereign love).
III. Why does He exercise His wrath? (Nahum 3)-
The simple answer is “sin” and its destruction (which cannot go on forever)!
Ref: Nahum 3:5-7 (NIV)
“’I am against you,’ declares the LORD Almighty.
‘I will lift your skirts over your face.
I will show the nations your nakedness and the kingdoms your shame.
I will pelt you with filth, I will treat you with contempt and make you a spectacle.
All who see you will flee from you and say,
‘Nineveh is in ruins – who will mourn for her?’
Where can I find anyone to comfort you?’”
This is VERY strong imagery!
Why would God express His wrath through Nahum this way (seems kinda graphic)?
God’s wrath is just.
While patiently waiting for repentance, God notices each and every act of injustice
(we seem to think He’s forgotten or didn’t notice at all).
Only through repentance will He forget and forego exercising His wrath.
The Assyrians were well known for their worship of false gods
(e.g., their main goddess was Ishtar,
who was represented as a prostitute and worshipped through prostitution).
They were also known for excessive cruelty to those whom they conquered
(e.g., parading their new subjects around to be mocked and ridiculed).
God will use the sin of those who oppose Him as the instruments of His wrath
to demonstrate His complete domination over that sin (in this case, prostitution and cruelty).
To ensure we understand that there is a reason for God’s wrath to be exercised,
there is a poetic description of Nineveh’s sins in Nahum 3:1-4.
Conclusion
God will not abide sin!
He will deal with sin by exercising His wrath to utterly destroy it.
He will not exercise His wrath capriciously or without warning.
He will wait for repentance before He proceeds.
He will act with PERFECT justice!
