THE BOOK OF NAHUM

(“A Dreadful Description of God”)¹ (Part 3)

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 … ⁶Who can stand before His indignation? Who can endure the burning of His anger? His wrath is poured out like fire and the rocks are broken up by Him.” (Nahum 1:2, 6)

IS THIS REALLY THE SAME GOD?

(1) Scripture repeatedly tells us that God is Sovereign Ruler over heaven and earth.

(a) For example, the psalmist said: “… our God … does whatever He pleases” (c.f. Psalm 115:3) – Job once declared: “I know that … no purpose of (God’s) can be thwarted” (c.f. Job 42:2) – while Paul adds that God “… works all things after the counsel of His will” (c.f. Ephesians 1:11).

(b) Elsewhere God Himself says: “… My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure” (c.f. Isaiah 46:10) – and again: “… Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes him mute or deaf, or seeing or blind? Is it not I, the Lord?” (c.f. Exodus 4:11) – and once more: “… I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion” (c.f. Romans 9:15).

(2) The Books of Jonah and Nahum describe God’s sovereignty over the ancient Assyrian city of Nineveh – whose citizens, according to both Scripture and secular history, were especially “wicked” and “violent” (c.f. Jonah 1:2; 3:8; Nahum 1:1; 3:1). Taken together, these two books show us two sides of the same, One true God (c.f. Isaiah 44:8; 46:9).

(a) For example, the Book of Jonah tells us how God had “compassion” on the people of Nineveh – “(withdrew) His burning anger” from them – and “relented concerning the calamity … He had declared He would bring upon them” (c.f. Jonah 3:9-10; 4:11).

(b) On the other hand, the Book of Nahum tells us how God poured out His “vengeance” and “wrath” on the people of Nineveh – “consuming both the city and its citizens, like fire consumes dry stubble” – and “mak(ing) a complete end of its site” (c.f. Nahum 1:2, 8, 10).

(c) Indeed, the prophetic description of Nineveh’s destruction, especially in chapter three, is both vivid and terrifying – (verse three) “Horsemen charging, swords flashing, spears gleaming, many slain, a mass of corpses, and countless dead bodies – they stumble over the dead bodies!” (c.f. Nahum 3:3) – and again (verse fifteen): “… fire will consume you, the sword will cut you down …” (c.f. Nahum 3:15) – moreover, what happened previously to Egypt is going to happen to Nineveh, in that (verse ten): “… her small children (will be) dashed to pieces … and her great men … bound with fetters” (c.f. Nahum 3:10).

(3) The contrast between God’s compassion and vengeance, between His mercy and wrath, is so great that some people have questioned whether Scripture is even talking about the same Deity.

(a) Surely the God Jonah (and other biblical writers) have described as “… gracious and compassionate … slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness …” (c.f. Jonah 4:2; see also Exodus 34:6; Psalm 86:15; Nehemiah 9:17; Joel 2:13), (surely this) is not the same God Nahum describes in our text as being “vengeful”, and “wrathful”, and “burning with anger” (c.f. Nahum 1:2, 6). Surely the God who spared Nineveh in the days of Jonah, is not the same God who wiped the Assyrian capital off the face of the earth about one hundred years later². Surely the God who said: “… Let the little children come to Me …” (c.f. Mark 10:14, NKJV), is not the same God who lets “… small children (be) dashed to pieces …” (c.f. Nahum 3:10).

(b) The fact this IS the same God may be more difficult for some people to resolve in their mind, than the seeming contradiction between something like God’s Sovereignty and human responsibility – or how there can be one God who exists in three Persons (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit).

And yet – there it is! Scripture describes God in two seemingly conflicting ways – Scripture says both things are true of Him. Even the Book of Nahum says: “… the Lord is avenging and wrathful …” (verse two) – AND that “… (He) is slow to anger …” (verse three) (c.f. Nahum 1:2-3). Even the Book of Nahum says that, “the Lord pours out His wrath like fire” (verse six) – AND that “… (He) is good … (to) those who take refuge in Him” (verse seven) (c.f. Nahum 1:6-7).

So, rather than rejecting what we can’t fully wrap our mind around, we need to accept it by faith (c.f. I Timothy 1:4; Hebrews 11:3) – if for no other reason than because Scripture says: “The sum of (God’s) word is truth …” (c.f. Psalm 119:160) – and because the Book of Philippians not only tells us to “meditate on (those) things” that “are lovely”, but also on those things that “are TRUE” (c.f. Philippians 4:8, NKJV).

And the truth is, that our God is not only merciful and compassionate, not only is He loving and kind, not only is He full of goodness and grace – BUT, when justice calls for it, and His righteousness demands it, He is also “avenging and wrathful”, and full of “burning anger” against “His ADVERSARIES” and “ENEMIES” (c.f. Nahum 1:2, 6).

In New Testament terms, those “adversaries” and “enemies” (c.f. Nahum 1:2) include every man and woman – even every boy and girl outside the covenant of grace (c.f. Hebrews 8:10) – who has not repented of their sins (which God finds so offensive to His holy nature – c.f. Isaiah 64:6; Habakkuk 1:13), and professed faith in Jesus Christ as the only Savior of those who have sinned against God (c.f. John 3:36; Acts 4:12; I Thessalonians 1:9-10).

(B) THE WRATH OF GOD

(1) John Calvin called verse two of this evening’s text (c.f. Nahum 1:2) an “awful description of God.”¹

(a) In using the word “awful”, he did not mean to imply that God’s “wrath” is contemptible and disgusting – or that His “vengeance” is evil and reprehensible. Rather, he used the word “awful” to convey the biblical idea that these attributes of God are terrifying and appalling, even shocking and fearsome to behold – let alone experience (c.f. Hebrews 10:26-31).

(b) I chose to use a synonym for “awful” in the sub-title of tonight’s message, because it is a truly “dreadful” thing for anyone to have God’s anger and vengeance and wrath fall upon them (c.f. Hebrews 10:31) – NOT wrong or sinful, NOT unjust or too extreme – but horrific and alarming, even an experience that’s indescribably more terrifying and inconceivably more excruciating than the human mind can ever imagine!

That’s why Nahum asks, in verse six: “Who can STAND before His indignation? Who can ENDURE the burning of His anger?” (c.f. Nahum 1:6) – the answer being, “No one!” God’s wrath would utterly and instantly annihilate sinners, if He did not also sustain them!

Hence, it’s a “dreadful” thing for someone to be sustained by God while He “pours out His wrath on them life fire” (c.f. Nahum 1:6) BECAUSE OF THEIR SINS. In fact, the Book of Revelation says that when “the day of God’s wrath” and judgment comes, unsaved people would vastly prefer to be buried alive under a million ton of “rocks” (if that were possible, which it isn’t), than to have to “stand” and face “the (eternal) wrath of the Lamb” (c.f. Revelation 6:16-17).

(2) The full and ultimate expression of God’s wrath is hell – where Jesus said: “their worm does not die (Why not? Because God sustains them), and the fire is not quenched” (c.f. Mark 9:48) – where all those whom the Lord casts into that eternal fire, ON ACCOUNT OF THEIR SINS, find no relief and no escape (c.f. Matthew 10:28; Luke 16:24-26; Revelation 14:11).

(3) However, God also makes His wrath known (albeit in lesser measure) through historical and natural events – like the destruction of nations, and the downfall of national leaders – through things like earthquakes and famines, floods and droughts – through political assassinations, and so-called accidents or random events (Genesis 6:17; Deuteronomy 32:23-24; II Samuel 12:10-12; II Kings 19:32-37; Isaiah 29:5-6; Jeremiah 25:8-9; Ezekiel 13:11-13) – PLUS a host of other incidents that men, without “eyes to see” (c.f. Romans 11:8), either choose to ignore, or attribute to the imaginary forces of chance, destiny, and bad luck.

(a) I’m not sure we can say that every historical or natural disaster is an expression of God’s wrath (c.f. Job 1-2) – BUT we are being foolish if we think none of them are (c.f. Proverbs 14:8). Though many would consider what I’m about to say politically incorrect (and may even make some here tonight uneasy) – biblically speaking, no one can say for sure that certain events in the life of America over the past decade – like Hurricane Katrina, the 9-11 attacks, a decade of drought here in Southern New Mexico, and even recent floods in the Midwest – (no one can say for certain that these events) are not expressions of God’s wrath against our nation ON ACCOUNT OF OUR SINS!

(b) Are we not guilty of corporate transgressions like the legalization and practice of abortion – the glorification of immorality through the entertainment media – a growing disrespect for (and rejection of) authority – and the continuing push to make gay marriages legal? Are we not also guilty of more personal sins – like failing to “visit orphans and widows in their distress, and … keep (ourselves) unstained by the world” (c.f. James 1:27) – preferring to have our ears tickled, rather than listen to sound doctrine (c.f. II Timothy 4:3-4) – or simply refusing to “humble (our)selves and pray and seek (God’s) face and turn from (our own) wicked ways” (c.f. II Chronicles 7:13-14)?

(c) Is our nation really that different from those that have come AND GONE before us? We might like to think so – but the fact is, we are guilty of many of the same transgressions that brought God’s wrath down on places like Sodom, and Nineveh, and even Jerusalem! Therefore, who can be sure that some of the historical and natural events, which have occurred in the life of our own nation, are not expressions of God’s wrath – as well as a call to national and personal repentance?

(4) We may not agree on whether this or that event in the life of America is a manifestation of God’s wrath – but as far as Scripture, and the Book of Nahum in particular are concerned, there is no question as to what the destruction of Nineveh was all about.

(a) After a brief introduction in verse one (c.f. Nahum 1:1), the prophet gives us a picture of God as Judge³ in verses two through six (c.f. Nahum 1:2-6) – an image that’s found in other biblical passages as well (see also, Genesis 18:25; Psalm 75:7; II Timothy 4:9; James 4:12). As Judge, Scripture says God always “deals justly” and always judges righteously – that His judgments are always impartial – that He “executes justice for the orphan and … widow” (i.e. the helpless and oppressed) – and that He always “render(s) recompense to the proud (and wicked)” (c.f. Genesis 18:25; Deuteronomy 10:18; Psalm 94:2; I Peter 1:17; 2:23). Hence, Scripture says that, “He loves righteousness and justice …” (c.f. Psalm 33:5) – and that, “righteousness and justice are the foundation of (His) throne (i.e. the basis of His rule) …” (c.f. Psalm 89:14).

(b) All this means that, when God acts as Judge (as He did in the case of Nineveh) – when He expresses His “vengeance” and “wrath” and “anger” (as He did toward the people of Nineveh) (c.f. Nahum 1:2, 6) – that He always does so without sin, or injustice, or excess – that He always does so without discrimination, evil intentions, or intemperance. As “a righteous Judge” (c.f. Psalm 7:11), He always “requites the wicked ACCORDING TO their works – ACCORDING TO the evil of their practices – and ACCORDING TO the deeds of their hands” (c.f. Psalm 28:4). He always repays unrepentant sinners ACCORDING TO what their words, and attitudes, and actions deserve – never more, but also never less (c.f. Revelation 20:12-13; see also Deuteronomy 19:21).

(c) Obviously there are other aspects to God’s nature, besides those associated with His role as Judge. Even here in the Book of Nahum we’re told that He is “slow to anger” (verse three), “good (to) those who take refuge in Him” (verse seven), and that He brings “good news” to His covenant people (verse fifteen) (c.f. Nahum 1:3, 7, 15).

But, in this particular instance, “the oracle … Nahum” has been given (c.f. Nahum 1:1; see also, II Peter 1:21) has to do primarily with God’s “vengeance (and) wrath” against His “adversaries (and) enemies” (c.f. Nahum 1:2). Hence, starting in verse eight – and essentially running through the rest of the book, to the end of chapter three (c.f. Nahum 1:8- 3:19) – the picture of God as Judge (described in verses two through six – c.f. Nahum 1:2-6) is applied specifically to the city and citizens of Nineveh. Hence, Nineveh is the one who’s going to feel God’s “vengeance (and) wrath” (verse two) – Nineveh is the one who’s “guilty”, and will not be allowed to go “unpunished” (verse three) – Nineveh is going to have God’s “wrath … poured out (on it) like fire” (verse six) – it’s Nineveh whom God is going to “make a complete end of”, and “pursue … into darkness” (verse eight) – it’s Nineveh whom God is going to “consume like stubble” (verse ten) – Nineveh is the one God is going to “cut off and (cause to) pass away” (verse twelve) – it’s Nineveh’s “name” that God is “no longer” going to allow to “be perpetuated”, and whose “grave” He has “prepared” (verse fourteen) – it’s Nineveh who is “contemptible” in God’s sight (also verse fourteen), and whom He is going to “cut off completely” (verse fifteen) (c.f. Nahum 1:2, 3, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 15).

So far as the Book of Nahum is concerned, Nineveh is the focus of God’s attention – Nineveh is the one God is going to judge – Nineveh is the object of God’s “wrath” and “burning … anger”, which is so vividly and dreadfully described in tonight’s text (c.f. Nahum 1:2, 6).

(1) First Corinthians chapter ten tells us that some of the things that happened in the past, that were written down in the Scriptures, are there so we can learn from them (c.f. I Corinthians 10:6, 11).

(2) Applying that principle to the Book of Nahum we can say that every empire, every nation, every city, and every citizen who follows in Nineveh’s sinful footsteps is also an object of God’s “wrath” (c.f. John 3:36) – that they, too, are in danger of having something similar happen to them – if not in this life, then certainly in the next (which will be far worse!).

(3) Thankfully, the God of “wrath and indignation” (c.f. Nahum 1:6) is also a God of mercy and grace – who has not only provided a way of escape, but also makes sure His chosen people do escape (c.f. Acts 13:48; I Thessalonians 5:9).

Hence, for those who repent of their sins and profess faith in Jesus Christ, the fear (c.f. I John 4:18) and possibility of having to face God’s “wrath” (c.f. Nahum 1:2) and endure His “burning anger” (c.f. Nahum 1:6) against them ON ACCOUNT OF THEIR SINS, has been removed once and for all! That’s why we’re told (in Romans chapter eight) that “… there is now NO CONDEMNATION for those who are in Christ Jesus” (c.f. Romans 8:1) – and if we inquire as to why this is so, the answer comes from the lips of our Lord, when He cried out from the cross: “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (c.f. Matthew 27:46) – the answer being, that Jesus took the condemnation we deserved upon Himself, so that we might be “saved from the wrath of God through Him” (c.f. Romans 5:9).

Elsewhere Scripture says that: ⁹“… God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁰who died for us …” (c.f. I Thessalonians 5:9-10) – and again, if we inquire as to how this can be, the answer is that on the cross, “(God) made (Christ) who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (i.e. “in Christ”) (c.f. II Corinthians 5:21) – which means that “the wrath of God (destined to) come upon the sons of disobedience” (c.f. Colossians 3:6) will never come upon us, thanks to what Jesus did for His elect covenant people on the cross!

(4) Sometimes – for reasons only the Sovereign Ruler of heaven and earth knows – (sometimes) Christ’s redeemed people get caught up in the national and natural expressions of God’s wrath that fall upon cities and nations. Daniel would be a good example – for although he appears to have been a righteous man from his youth onward, he was still taken into Babylonian captivity – which was a manifestation of God’s righteous anger against the nation of Judah, on account of the accumulation of her people’s sins.

(5) What we will NEVER be caught up in, however, is the ETERNAL expression of God’s wrath.

The Book of Nahum reminds us (in verse three) that, “the Lord will by no means leave the guilty unpunished” (c.f. Nahum 1:3) – BUT, it’s also true that the Lord will by no means punish those whose guilt has been transferred to Christ (c.f. Genesis 18:23-25).

The Book of Nahum also reminds us (in verse seven) that “the Lord is … a stronghold in the day of trouble, and (that) He knows those who take refuge in Him” (c.f. Nahum 1:7). Because of that, you and I no longer need to fear God’s righteous wrath – for that has been poured out, once and for all, on our Savior, Jesus Christ. Hence, by the grace of God, and the work of Christ, the eternal wrath of God will never touch us!

BIBLIOGRAPHY

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

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

²MacArthur: The MacArthur Bible Commentary; p. 1022.

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

The New International Commentary on the Old Testament; p. 59.