Read Nahum 1:1-11
The book of Nahum is only three chapters long, and it’s one of the minor prophets that doesn’t get a lot of attention by church leadership when planning worship services! While we may encounter some harsh language, we need to keep in mind that Nahum was prophesying to a stubborn group of people who were refusing to repent.
Historically, Nahum’s focus is on Nineveh, and we’ll see the prediction and celebration of Nineveh’s demise. Nineveh was the center of the Assyrian empire, and the Assyrians had been used by God to bring Israel to its knees for their own rebellion and sinfulness. We encountered Nineveh before in the book of Jonah.
I enjoyed one of Chuck Swindoll’s recent sermons when he spoke on Nahum as giving us an example of a community “indifferent” to God. It helped me put this passage into context. The Assyrian empire was ruthless, known for its cruelty, wickedness, and idolatry.
What happened? Didn’t we read how Jonah “reluctantly” preached at Nineveh, and the people had believed and turned to God? That’s true, but many times after a good revival, things go back to “business as usual.” Time passed. Those new believers must not have been nurtured in their faith. Parents and grandparents failed to share their faith with the generations to follow. According to historians, Nineveh became even more evil because of their indifference to God.
God uses Nahum to tell Nineveh the consequences of their evil ways. Judgment is about to fall on a people who deserve God’s wrath. “The Lord is slow to get angry, but his power is great, and he never lets the guilty go unpunished.” It says God is “slow” to get angry. That’s a good thing because it tells me God gives us more than one chance to “get it right.” God made us human, and as weak and fragile beings we should be overjoyed that God is slow to anger. He loves us that much. It’s our job to do those things that please him.
Nahum starts this book by giving us a glimpse of God’s character. We see both pleasant and unpleasant attributes of God. It’s good for us to understand how God feels about those who are his “enemies.” We need to remember that the same God who burns with anger also loves us like crazy.
Have you ever thought about God being jealous? We read in other places in the Bible that jealousy is evil. James 3:16 says, “For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.” The jealousy James refers to is also known as envy. God’s jealousy is because as creator of all, he loves his creation deeply and expects our love in return. God can’t imagine we could love anything more than him. When his children disobey and allow other gods to rule their lives, his jealousy is displayed as intense anger. I get it.
Nahum asks us, “Who can stand before his fierce anger? Who can survive his burning fury?” It’s not hard to see why people focus on God’s anger so much and use that as an excuse NOT to follow him. It helps me to understand the reason for his anger. Nobody likes to be ignored, abused, or disrespected. We’ve seen how time and time again God has tried to get the attention of his people. Time and time again, we let God down. How could he not get angry?
Then, like a breath of fresh air, Nahum abruptly reminds us of the goodness of God and why we should love him. “The Lord is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in him.” Exactly! Trusting in God is the message which brings hope. God’s enemies don’t “trust” him. They are missing out on all the love and grace God offers those he is close to. How could you choose destruction over God?
That’s a question I’ll probably ponder until I meet Jesus one day. I look around and see so many people walking around blind to what trusting in God offers, thinking they’ve got it figured out themselves. They need to meet the God I know. The attributes of God I like to focus on include loving, full of grace and mercy, intimate, caring, just, forgiving, powerful, all-knowing. I want people to know God like I know God.
How did Nahum’s description of God speak to you?
Let’s pray … Lord, you are so multi-faceted in your wisdom and might. I treasure how my relationship with you is growing. Thank you for revealing a little of yourself each day as I read your word. Continue to enlighten me and draw me closer. Forgive me for those times when I stumble and displease you. I trust you with my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
