THE BOOK OF NAHUM

(“A Dreadful Description of God”)¹ (Part 2)

Nahum 1:1-15 (NASU)

²“A jealous and avenging God is the Lord; the Lord is avenging and wrathful. The Lord takes vengeance on His adversaries, and He reserves wrath for His enemies. ³The Lord is slow to anger and great in power, and the Lord will by no means leave the guilty unpunished ...”

(Nahum 1:2-3)

1. A COMPLETE PICTURE OF GOD

(1) After a brief introduction (in verse one), in which “Nahum the Elkoshite” identifies himself as the author – and the city of “Nineveh” as the target of his divinely-inspired “oracle” (or “burden”, NKJV) (c.f. Nahum 1:1) – the prophet begins his “book” with a description of God’s nature² in verses two and three (c.f. Nahum 1:2-3). Nor is it a picture most people find pleasant or comforting – at least not at first. For this biblical portrait does not focus on the attributes of God’s love or mercy – it doesn’t direct our attention to His grace or patience – nor does it cast the spotlight on such qualities as His goodness and kindness. Rather, the opening verses of the Book of Nahum depict God as One who brings judgment on His enemies³ – as One who pours out “wrath” and “vengeance on His adversaries” – as the eternal Judge who “will by no means leave the guilty unpunished” (c.f. Nahum 1:2-3).

(2) Secular historians give various reasons for the fall of Nineveh and the overthrow of the Assyrian Empire – from internal corruption,⁴ to their appetite for violence and cruelty (c.f. Jonah 3:8; Nahum 3:1), to the rise of the Babylonian kingdom.⁴ Regardless of the role these things may have played in Assyria’s demise, Scripture as a whole (and Nahum in particular) makes it clear that the avenging wrath of God destroyed the city of Nineveh – that the Lord is the One who “made a complete end of it” (c.f. Nahum 1:8-9) – that it was the “indignation and burning anger” (c.f. Nahum 1:6) of the Almighty that “completely consumed the people of Nineveh (on account of their sins), like fire consumes stubble” (c.f. Nahum 1:10).

(3) Many people (even some Christians) don’t like to think of God as a God of wrath. As the late James Boice said: “They prefer to think of Him as a God of sickly love and sentimental indulgence”⁴ (i.e. a kind of Santa Claus or grandfather figure, if you will). However, that kind of image is idolatrous – and therefore distorts the biblical picture of who God is, and what He’s like in the fullness of His glorious nature.

It’s absolutely true that the living God is a God of love⁴ (c.f. I John 4:8), and mercy (Luke 6:36) – that He is a God of goodness (c.f. Psalm 119:68), and compassion (c.f. Psalm 116:5) – that He is a God of many other wonderful attributes like kindness (c.f. Luke 6:35), and grace (c.f. Nehemiah 9:31) – or, that Scripture repeatedly says He is slow to anger (c.f. Exodus 34:6; Psalm 86:15; Joel 2:13; Jonah 4:2; Nahum 1:3).

At the same time, however, it’s also true that God is a God of “vengeance and wrath” (c.f. Nahum 1:2) against sin⁴ and unrepentant sinners – that “His wrath (will be) poured out like fire” (c.f. Nahum 1:6) on all those who do not flee to Jesus Christ in repentance and faith (c.f. John 3:36) – that “He will make a complete end of (all) His enemies” (c.f. Nahum 1:8), by casting them into hell (c.f. Matthew 10:28) (of which the physical destruction of Nineveh is a type).

(4) Some people may not like this aspect of God’s nature – but those who choose to ignore it (or even reject it) do so at their own eternal peril. Moreover (as I’ve said in every message so far), a study of this aspect of God’s nature, as revealed in the Book of Nahum, helps Christians better understand exactly what we have been saved from (c.f. Luke 3:7; Ephesians 5:6) – while also enabling us to appreciate more deeply what Jesus did for us on the cross (c.f. Isaiah 53:3-8; Matthew 27:46), in part, by enduring the “avenging wrath” of God (c.f. Nahum 1:2-3) we deserved on account of our sins (c.f. Mark 15:34; I Thessalonians 1:10).

(B) GOD IS DREADFUL AND JEALOUS

(1) The subtitle of tonight’s message refers to the content of our text (c.f. Nahum 1:2-3) as a “dreadful” description of God. And while the word “dreadful” often carries a negative connotation for many people, I’m using it in a positive sense (as I explained in some detail last time) – because I’m using it to refer to “that which causes people to become greatly afraid”,⁵ as well as “that which inspires awe or reverence”⁵ in people’s hearts and minds. When rightly understood and received, I believe the description of God in tonight’s text does both – and that both are good things to have happen – especially when the fear of God’s wrath drives lost people to Jesus Christ in repentance and faith – and when the awe and reverence inspired by the description of God in tonight’s text results in His redeemed people giving Him heartfelt adoration and worship.

(2) Last time we focused on the fact that the Lord is “a jealous … God” (c.f. Nahum 1:2) – nor is this an attribute men have assigned to Him, but one He has clearly revealed about Himself in Scripture, saying (for example) in the Book of Exodus: “I, the Lord your God, am a JEALOUS God” (c.f. Exodus 20:5) – and again, in the Book of Zechariah: “I am exceedingly JEALOUS for Zion, yes … I am JEALOUS for her” (c.f. Zechariah 8:2).

People often think of jealousy as being a bad thing⁶ – which it is when fallen people turn it into envy, distrust, or resentment. But God’s jealousy is always a good thing, in part, because it can either be an expression of holy zeal for His honor and worship (c.f. Isaiah 42:8) – or an expression of loving care and concern for His covenant people (whom Scripture often compares to a wife) (c.f. Zechariah 1:14). Hence, God’s jealousy should always be understood in a protective, cherishing light.

God’s protective jealousy for His honor is reflected in verse nine where Nahum says to Nineveh: “Whatever you DEVISE AGAINST THE LORD, He will make a complete end of it” (c.f. Nahum 1:9) – and again in verse eleven, where Nahum says of Nineveh: “from you has gone forth one who PLOTTED EVIL AGAINST THE LORD, a wicked counselor” (c.f. Nahum 1:11).

Likewise, God’s cherishing jealousy for His covenant people is alluded to in verse thirteen, where He reassures Judah, saying: “So now, I will break (Assyria’s) yoke bar from upon you, and I will tear off your shackles” (c.f. Nahum 1:13) – and again in verse fifteen, where Nahum says: “Celebrate your feasts, O Judah; pay your vows (i.e. to the Lord). For never again will the wicked one pass through you; he is cut off completely” (c.f. Nahum 1:15).

God’s jealousy should strike terror (or “dread”) in the hearts of all those who abuse and mistreat His redeemed people – who degrade them and harass them, beat them and burn them, and even kill them. The reason it doesn’t do so more often is because so many lost people don’t take this aspect of God’s nature seriously (c.f. Romans 1:21) – or because they are too “dead in their trespasses and sins” (c.f. Ephesians 2:1) to have enough sense to be afraid.

On the other hand, God’s jealousy ought to reassure His redeemed people that He really does care about us – and that He will demonstrate His care (in part) by justly punishing those who rise up to do us harm. Hence, in the sixth chapter of the Book of Revelation, “the souls of those slain on account of the word of God” rightly cry out: “How long, O Lord, holy and true, will You refrain from JUDGING AND AVENGING OUR BLOOD on those who dwell on the earth?” – and the Lord responds by reassuring His people He will do just that at the proper time (c.f. Revelation 6:9-11).

Here in the Book of Nahum God’s jealousy for the glory of His name, and the well being of His covenant people, manifests itself in the prophesied destruction of the city of Nineveh (c.f. Nahum 1:8) – including the slaughter of her citizens (c.f. Nahum 3:3), and the overthrow of the Assyrian Empire (c.f. Nahum 2:23).

(C) OUR GOD IS AN AVENGING GOD

(1) The attribute of God referred to most often in tonight’s text, however, is vengeance – with some form of this word being mentioned three times in verse two, saying: “A jealous and AVENGING God is the Lord; the Lord is AVENGING and wrathful. The Lord TAKES VENGEANCE on His adversaries …” (c.f. Nahum 1:2).

Most of you know that repetition is one of the ways Scripture emphasizes the importance or significance, the truthfulness or certainty of what’s being said. For example, the importance of God’s holiness is underscored by the three-fold repetition found in Isaiah’s vision of the Lord sitting on His throne, in which the seraphim cry out: “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of hosts …” (c.f. Isaiah 6:1-3). Likewise, the certainty of fallen man’s utter corruptness apart from Christ is emphasized by the three-fold repetition of a description that starts out by saying: “There is none righteous, not even one” – and ends with the phrase: “There is no one who does good, not even one” (c.f. Psalm 14:1-3; 53:1-3; Romans 3:10-12).

Here in the second verse of the Book of Nahum, the significance of the true and living God being an “avenging God” – coupled with the certainty He is going take “vengeance” on the city and citizens of Nineveh – is underscored by the three-fold use of some form of the word “avenge” (c.f. Nahum 1:2). As the New Geneva Study Bible says: “The threefold repetition of the Hebrew word for ‘avenge’ strongly emphasizes an inescapable and appropriate retribution.”⁷

(2) The word “revenge” often has a negative connotation for Christians – especially since Scripture tells us NOT to take vengeance into our own hands.⁸ For example, the Book of Leviticus says: “You shall NOT take vengeance …” (c.f. Leviticus 19:18) – while the Book of Romans says: “NEVER take your own revenge, beloved …” (c.f. Romans 12:19).

It’s interesting to note that the passage from Leviticus goes on to say that, instead of “taking revenge”, we should “love our neighbor as ourselves” (c.f. Leviticus 19:18). Likewise, the passage from Romans says we should “never pay back evil for evil to anyone” – that we should do everything we can to “be at peace with all men” – and that “if our enemy is hungry we should feed him, or if he’s thirsty we should give him a drink” (c.f. Romans 12:17-18, 20). In other words, as Christians we are to show our enemies love, and do good to them (c.f. Luke 6:27), rather than take personal vengeance on them.⁸

It should be noted in passing, however, that God has given the state the right to exact a certain measure of “revenge” on law-breakers – even though the state is made up of fallen, fallible men who are incapable of doing so perfectly. For example, Romans chapter thirteen says: ³“… rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; ⁴for IT IS A MINISTER OF GOD to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, AN AVENGER who brings wrath on the one who practices evil” (c.f. Romans 13:3-4). As the New Geneva Study Bible says: “What the individual must not do out of a motive of revenge, the state may legitimately do in the pursuit of justice.”¹¹

(3) In this instance, what’s wrong for us as individuals is not wrong for God – i.e. while it would be sinful for you and me to take vengeance on our enemies, it is not sinful for God to do so. Hence, that passage from Romans chapter twelve we read a few moments ago goes on to say: “Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘VENGENACE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,’ says the Lord” (c.f. Romans 12:19). And if we inquire as to where such a declaration “is written” in Scripture, the answer is Deuteronomy 32:35 where God says: “Vengeance is Mine, and retribution …” Hence, the psalmist prayed: ¹“O Lord God, to whom vengeance belongs – O God, to whom vengeance belongs, shine forth! ²Rise up, O Judge of the earth; render punishment to the proud” (Psalm 94:1-2, NKJV) – while in another place David tells King Saul (who had been hunting him down in order to kill him): “may the Lord avenge me on you; but my hand shall not be against you” (c.f. I Samuel 24:12) (in other words, David left it up to the Lord to take vengeance on his enemy, rather than trying to do so himself).

And if we inquire as to why it would be wrong for you and me to avenge ourselves, but not wrong for God to take vengeance on His enemies (or ours) – the answer is, at least in part, because we are fallen, sinful creatures – while God is perfect, and holy, and righteous, and just in all His ways (c.f. Deuteronomy 32:3-4; Psalm 145:17). For example, we are prone to pervert justice for our own selfish purposes (c.f. Exodus 23:2, 6) – but God never does that (c.f. Job 34:12). What’s more, there are often gaps in our knowledge, so that we don’t always see the whole picture – hence, our attempt to exact revenge may be misguided or misinformed. But, God has all-knowledge (c.f. John 21:17) – so that He always knows all the facts of every case (c.f. Hebrews 4:13). In addition, we’re prone to be too severe in our revenge, requiring the proverbial pound of flesh for a penny’s worth of offence – i.e. going beyond the biblical principles of justice and equity found in the oft-misunderstood “eye for (an) eye” (c.f. Leviticus 24:19-22) – but God (who is holy and righteous and good) always metes out a just recompense (c.f. Lamentations 3:64), so that His vengeance is always according to what a man or nation deserves – no more, no less.

(4) Before we go any further, let’s make sure we know what “vengeance” is. We often think of it as being “vindictive” – or we think of in terms of “retaliation” , or “payback”, or “getting even”, or “settling a score” – and while those things can certainly be one aspect of “revenge”, they are not the whole story. Nor are they the part that’s primarily in view when it comes to God “taking vengeance on His adversaries” (c.f. Nahum 1:2) – in part, because God’s vengeance is NEVER excessive or out of control.

The Hebrew word used three times in our text carries the connotation of “punishment”⁹ – and since God is the One doing the punishing, it’s a punishment that’s just and deserved. Hence, verse three says it’s “THE GUILTY” (or “THE WICKED”, as the NKJV describes them) whom “the Lord will by no means leave … unpunished” (c.f. Nahum 1:3) – not the innocent, or the righteous. God only punishes those who deserve it – not those who don’t. What’s more, God’s punishment always fits the offense – hence, He says in another place: “I will recompense them ACCORDING TO THEIR DEEDS and ACCORDING TO THE WORK OF THEIR HANDS” (c.f. Jeremiah 25:14).

Although the word “recompense” is not used here in the Book of Nahum, it does help us understand the kind of “vengeance” God metes out to “His enemies” (c.f. Nahum 1:2) – for “recompense” has to do with things like “compensation”, “making restitution”, or “paying back what’s owed”.¹⁰ Hence, God’s vengeance “compensates” (if you will) the wicked for their sins – His revenge “balances out the scales of justice” – when He avenges Himself on His enemies, He’s simply “giving them what they deserve” for their evil deeds, without being excessive or too lenient.

(5) One of the advantages of reading through the entire Bible on a regular basis is that it forces us to deal with a complete picture of who God is, and what He’s like. Not only will we encounter passages we dearly love, we will also encounter passages we may wish weren’t there – like all the ones that speak of God’s vengeance. Here’s a sampling (from outside the Book of Nahum).

Deuteronomy chapter thirty-two (God speaking): “If I sharpen My flashing sword, and My hand takes hold on justice, I WILL RENDER VENGEANCE on My adversaries, and I will repay those who hate Me” (c.f. Deuteronomy 32:41) (in this instance, note the connection between “vengeance” and “justice”).

Isaiah chapter one: “… the Lord says, the Lord of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel, ‘… I will rid Myself of My adversaries, and TAKE VENGEANCE on My enemies” (note who the objects of God’s “vengeance” are – they are always those who are God’s enemies, either because they have deliberately opposed to Him, or because they have simply ignored Him) (c.f. Isaiah 1:24, NKJV).

Isaiah chapter thirty-four: “the Lord has a day of VENGEANCE, a year of recompense for the cause of Zion” (c.f. Isaiah 34:8) (in this instance, note the connection between “vengeance” and “recompense” – also the fact that the Lord is carrying out His “vengeance” on behalf of His people – i.e. “Zion”).

Revelation chapter nineteen: ¹“… Salvation and glory and power belong to our God; ²because His judgments are true and righteous; for He has judged the great harlot who was corrupting the earth with her immorality, and He has AVENGED the blood of His bond-servants on her” (c.f. Revelation 19:1-2) (note again that God is carrying out His “vengeance” on behalf of His covenant people).

First Thessalonians chapter four: ³“For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality; ⁴that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, ⁵not in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God; ⁶and that no man transgress and defraud his brother in (this) matter because the Lord is the AVENGER in all these things, just as we also told you before and solemnly warned you” (c.f. I Thessalonians 4:3-6) (here we’re told that God will “avenge” those who are “defrauded” by illicit sexual activity).¹²

Hebrews chapter ten says: ²⁶“For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, ²⁷but a terrifying expectation of judgment and the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries. ²⁸Anyone who has set aside the Law of Moses dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. ²⁹How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace? ³⁰For we know Him who said, ‘VENGEANCE is Mine, I will repay’ … ³¹It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (c.f. Hebrews 10:26-31) (note here that God’s vengeance is a terrifying thing, both to contemplate and experience).

Finally, Jeremiah chapter forty-six says: “… that day belongs to the Lord God of hosts, a day of VENGEANCE, so as to AVENGE Himself on His foes; and the sword will devour and be satiated and drink its fill of their blood; for there will be a slaughter for the Lord God of hosts, in the land of the north by the river Euphrates” (c.f. Jeremiah 46:10) (note here that the “day of vengeance” belongs to God alone – that the objects of His “vengeance” are, once again, “His foes” – and that it will be a terrible day for them).

(6) Returning to our text, then, we find Nahum opening his book with a description of God as “jealous”, “AVENGING”, and “wrathful” (c.f. Nahum 1:2) – with His “vengeance” having been the focal point of tonight’s message. Much of the remainder of this book (particularly chapters two and three) contain a prophetic account of how God would pour out His “wrath” on the city and citizens of Nineveh – thereby “avenging” the defamation of His honor, and the sufferings of His covenant people – both of which came about as a result of the wicked attitudes and sinful actions of the Assyrians.

When we take into account the Scriptures as a whole, one lesson we learn from the Book of Nahum is that apart from Christ EVERY unrepentant, unsaved sinner is an enemy of God (c.f. Romans 5:10; James 4:4) (just like the Assyrians were) – and that as such, they are in danger of the Lord “taking eternal vengeance” on them (c.f. Nahum 1:2) – UNLESS they turn to Jesus Christ in repentance and faith. Those who do will find that their sins have NOT gone “unpunished” (c.f. Nahum 1:3) – rather, they will find that God has poured out the vengeance they deserved on His beloved Son (c.f. Matthew 3:17; Isaiah 53:5-6) – which means none of it will ever be poured out on those who have taken “refuge in Him” (c.f. Nahum 1:7; Romans 8:1)!

(7) Thanks to Jesus Christ, as redeemed Christians you and I are no longer God’s enemies – hence, we do not have to fear His vengeance on account of our sins. Thanks to Christ, when the Day of Judgment finally comes, “God will execute vengeance FOR us” (c.f. Psalm 18:46-49) (just like He did for Judah – c.f. Nahum 1:13, 15) – but He will not execute vengeance AGAINST us, because that was all laid on Jesus Christ on the cross (c.f. Matthew 25:46)! Hence, we who are “in Christ” (c.f. Philippians 3:9) should stand in awe and reverence of God on account of His vengeance – but we no longer have to stand in fear of Him on account of it (c.f. I John 4:18).

BIBLIOGRAPHY

¹Calvin’s Commentaries: Vol. XIV; The Twelve Minor

Prophets; Vol. III; Jonah, Micah, Nahum; p. 420

²IBID; p. 419.

³Robertson: The Books of Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah;

The New International Commentary on the Old Testament; p. 63.

⁴Boice: The Minor Prophets; Vol. Two; p. 60.

⁵Websters Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary; 1963; p. 253.

⁶Robertson: Ibid; p. 59.

⁷The New Geneva Study Bible: Footnote on Nahum 1:2; p. 1436.

⁸Robertson: Ibid; p. 62.

⁹BCS: Strong’s Concordance; Word #5358.

¹⁰IBID; Word #9608.

¹¹The New Geneva Study Bible: Footnote on Romans 13:4; p. 1790.

¹²IBID: Footnote on I Thessalonians 4:6; p. 1897.