Punishment and Peace

Please open with me to the Old Testament book of Nahum. If you have a hard time looking for it, it's just before the book of Habakkuk that we studied not too long ago, nestled between that and Micah. We're working through books of the Bible in our Sunday Services, and we typically alternate by going from a New Testament book to one from the Old Testament, then back again. I'll warn you upfront; getting there will take some time, but I want to introduce the setting before we get into the book.

As a sequel to Jonah's book, Nahum brings a word of Judgment to the Assyrians, specifically Nineveh, which eventually became a capital city, and represents the people as a whole. If you recall, the general narrative of the book of Jonah is that he was a prophet called by God to deliver a message of destruction to Nineveh. He tried to avoid bringing the oracle by sailing in the opposite direction, only to be thrown overboard, swallowed by a supernaturally huge fish, and vomited out onto dry land. Finally heeding God's call on him, he ventured into the city bitter about having to preach to them and shared God's message. Then, the unexpected, to seemingly everyone but Jonah, happened. From the who Jonah describes as the king, a decree went out, and the whole city repented and turned from their evil ways.

Jonah was frustrated by this because he knew God was merciful and slow to anger, and ultimately he wanted the wicked Assyrians to be punished for the atrocities they brought on the people of Judah. After a little timeout, the Lord rebuked Jonah, and the book ends with a rhetorical question, as God asked, "And should not I pity Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know their right hand from their left, and also much cattle?"

Apparently, the repentance shown by the people was legitimate, and for about a hundred years, the city of Nineveh continued to thrive. During this period, the long reign of Manasseh proved to be a dark period for the People of Judah. Seeking to undo the positive religious reforms of his father, Hezekiah, Manasseh did what was evil in the Lord's sight, imitating the detestable practices of the nations that the Lord had dispossessed before the Israelites," as 2 Kings 21:2 says. Judah had lost its way and forgotten the Law of God by the end of his reign. Manasseh's son, Amon, walked as his father did and, as Scripture says, abandoned the Lord, the God of his fathers, and did not walk in the way of the Lord.

Amon was assassinated only two years into his reign, and his young son, Josiah, was placed on the throne at only eight years old. Judah began to see a revival period as Josiah's reign was far different from both his father and grandfather. The young king repaired and restored the temple, and when the law was found and began to be read and taught again, the people of Judah turned to the Lord.

During all that time, the repentance of the people of Nineveh began to wear off as new generations returned to their wicked practices.

As we begin our series, which will be short, I'm sharing why I've entitled the series "Just God." The message of Nahum, as we'll find, is somewhat twofold. His message to Nineveh is that the Lord is a just God and that in His justice, the wicked will not go unpunished. His message to Judah is that they have all they need with just God. As the world was changing around them, they feared what might happen to them and were looking to other nations for help. Judah would be safe as God dealt with the wickedness of Assyria. As a twofold message, it is negative for Assyria yet positive for Judah.

Now, as we finally get into the book, let's look at the entire first chapter together. As we read, we'll find that the opening to Nahum's oracle provides, first, a picture of punishment from the Lord for Nineveh and, second, a promise of peace from the Lord for Judah.

**CHANGE SLIDE** - Scripture

Nahum 1 ESV

1 An oracle concerning Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum of Elkosh. 2 The Lord is a jealous and avenging God; the Lord is avenging and wrathful; the Lord takes vengeance on his adversaries and keeps wrath for his enemies. 3 The Lord is slow to anger and great in power, and the Lord will by no means clear the guilty. His way is in whirlwind and storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet. 4 He rebukes the sea and makes it dry; he dries up all the rivers; Bashan and Carmel wither; the bloom of Lebanon withers. 5 The mountains quake before him; the hills melt; the earth heaves before him, the world and all who dwell in it. 6 Who can stand before his indignation? Who can endure the heat of his anger? His wrath is poured out like fire, and the rocks are broken into pieces by him. 7 The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him. 8 But with an overflowing flood he will make a complete end of the adversaries, and will pursue his enemies into darkness. 9 What do you plot against the Lord? He will make a complete end; trouble will not rise up a second time. 10 For they are like entangled thorns, like drunkards as they drink; they are consumed like stubble fully dried. 11 From you came one who plotted evil against the Lord, a worthless counselor. 12 Thus says the Lord, “Though they are at full strength and many, they will be cut down and pass away. Though I have afflicted you, I will afflict you no more. 13 And now I will break his yoke from off you and will burst your bonds apart.” 14 The Lord has given commandment about you: “No more shall your name be perpetuated; from the house of your gods I will cut off the carved image and the metal image. I will make your grave, for you are vile.” 15 Behold, upon the mountains, the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace! Keep your feasts, O Judah; fulfill your vows, for never again shall the worthless pass through you; he is utterly cut off.

Prayer

**CHANGE SLIDE** - Punishment

A Picture of Punishment (1:2-6)

After a simple superscript explaining the burden or oracle that Nahum, whose name means comfort, brings, the prophet wastes no time in beginning a vivid description of the Lord's anger. The picture of punishment for Nineveh would have been a comfort to Judah, even though Assyria had grown to its height of military strength and prowess by the time of Nahum's prophecy. Though the Lord says He is slow to anger, He will by no means clear the guilty. Judah was afraid of the growing Assyrian threat, but the Lord was finished with Nineveh's atrocities, and although he spared Nineveh once before, His wrath would now be poured out on them.

Nahum begins his description by reminding the people that God is a jealous God. You've heard those words before, I'm sure. Usually, the word jealous is used as an attribute of God, as in Exodus and Deuteronomy, to refer to God's refusal to accept disloyalty. It has another meaning, which Nahum brings out in verse 2. When the Lord is described as jealous here, Nahum is saying God is fiercely protective over what's His.

Remember, the people of Judah are God's possession. He created them, He set them apart, He gave them His promise of deliverance, and although He allowed other nations to serve His purpose in disciplining His people, He remains fiercely protective over them. He will not let the sinful actions of the Assyrians go unpunished.

I've never been the biggest fan of the term "mama bear," but that's the picture that comes to mind here. While a good mother can be a strict disciplinarian, woe to the one who tries to get between her and her cubs. Right? Although God was disciplining His people, the Assyrians had overstepped, and Nahum tells us His wrath has been reserved for His enemies.

The rest of the section shows the Lord's sovereign power over the air, water, earth, and all that inhabits it. The rhetorical questions of verse six have the obvious answer of "no one." No one can stand, and no one can endure. One commentary shares that Judgement is certain for the wicked, while Salvation is certain for the righteous.

In chapter one, Nahum shows that the punishment of God's enemies is absolutely certain, and no one can escape. Just as certain, however, is the peace promised to those who are His.

**CHANGE SLIDE** - Peace

A Promise of Peace (1:7-15)

The picture of punishment in verses 1-6 is devastating news for the Assyrians. In contrast, the promise of peace in verses 7-15 is fantastic news for Judah.

Nahum touches on the point that in God's goodness, He is always a stronghold in times of trouble. We find this concept elsewhere in Scripture, such as Psalm 2:12, which says, "All those who take refuge in him are happy." Additionally, Psalm 9:9 says, "The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, refuge in times of trouble."

God is fiercely protective and, therefore, faithful to take care of his people in every situation, no matter how dire the circumstances. The people of God can always run to him for shelter from their oppressors. He desires that we turn to him for safety and protection. He truly is our stronghold. Whenever we are distressed, we must find the strength to turn to God in trust and prayer and seek a stronghold in him as He makes a complete end of His adversaries.

Nahum is pointing out that Nineveh, as enemies of God's people, are enemies of God Himself. That's why he asks the question in verse 9, "What do you plot against the Lord?" The Assyrians might try to argue that they have no quarrel with the Lord, but to plot against His people is to scheme against the Lord Himself.

Nahum alternates who he's speaking to beginning in verse 9 and continues until the end of the chapter. Verses 9-11 are directed toward Nineveh, as despite all their plans, the Assyrians will fall. Verses 12 and 13 are referring to Judah, as Nahum shows that the "yoke" of the Assyrians was a temporary disciplinary measure used by God, which He is about to lift off of His people.

Verse 14 seems to be directed at the king or monarchy of Nineveh; as Nahum explains, there will be the complete destruction of the temple and idols of their pagan nation. Interestingly, archeologists have discovered and affirmed the total destruction found at the sites of Nineveh's temples.

Verse 15 shows us that the news of the destruction of Judah's enemy, the Assyrians is to be received as good news. By God's grace, Judah does not have to be afraid of any more military action and oppression coming from Assyria and can once again enjoy their feasts and honor their vows. Never again will Nineveh threaten God's people.

**CHANGE SLIDE** - Title slide

While the oppressor, Nineveh (and by extension, the Assyrians), was going to be removed, we do know that another would eventually come. In 586 BC, the Babylonians came and destroyed the temple of Jerusalem and carried God's people into exile. God's temporary deliverance of Judah is a picture of our ultimate deliverance in Christ.

Sin is the ultimate oppressor, who binds all in its chains. Christ came to set the captives free, and those who trust in Him know Him to be the true rescuer who breaks our chains, redeems us, and ensures that never again will sin reign over us.

Sin and its reign have an expiration date. Because God is a jealous God, we know He is fiercely protective over those who are His. If you trust in Him today, you must believe that there is coming a day when He will wipe even the memory of sin away. In just a few moments, we will be taking up the Lord’s supper. In that act, we remember what our Savior did in order to rescue us from the weight of Sin. He took our punishment and gave us His peace. In Christ we find that the picture of punishment for the enemy truly is a promise of peace for God's people.