Nahum 1:1-8 (2)

Introduction

The book of Nahum serves as the prototype of judgement to the godless world -> a book that does not fit the modern church’s preferences

It is often referred to as the “Hymn of Hate”, detailing the wrath of God that will judge the world

It marked a time period as influential to the ancient eastern world as the late 18th century was to the modern western world

It is truly a hymn of hope for the followers of God -> to free the oppressed, the oppressor must be removed

In fact, the name “Nahum” literally means “comfort”

God is still at work, and the forces of this world will not conquer us!

A Jealous and Avenging God (v. 2)

God loves the world, but He is for His people above others -> it is us that God will avenge, not the world

Judgement to Nineveh is the subject, but the theme is the hope that God’s people get through this

God is not just jealous in that He deserves attention and demands it, but also in that He loves His own

As we get enraged with those who mistreat those we love, God responds in like manner! -> furious!

God’s fury will be met with righteous wrath -> not the ugly kind we try to refrain from using, but the godly kind

God is for us, and will not let this world’s iniquity and hatred of His people go unanswered!

The oppressed will be free, and the oppressors will be oppressed

A Long-Suffering God (v. 3)

God’s jealousy moves Him to wrath, but it does not do so immediately -> God is patient and measured with His wrath

The conversion of Nineveh through Jonah took place roughly 150 years before Nahum

All the while, God was withholding His righteous wrath

It is because God is longsuffering that He has delayed His return

We cannot be content to wait for God’s wrath to destroy our enemies

Instead, we must work in hopes that His mercy and grace will destroy them on the cross of Christ

A Powerful God (vv. 3-6)

Although God is longsuffering, me must never think Him to be impotent -> He is slow to anger, but He is great in power

That power will ensure that the wicked pay for what they have done!

God has His way, and there is nothing that will deny Him

The clouds are the dust of His feet -> the places man can’t deign reach are where He commonly walks

He rebukes the sea and makes it and the rivers dry -> the most unstoppable, destructive, and necessary force of nature is His to command

The lushest places of Palestine would become barren -> what does this say of the more dry places?

Mountains quake, hills melt, and the earth is burned in His presence -> what an awesome God!

Who can stand before His indignation and anger? -> a question that is always asked, but never answered (Rev. 6:17)

A Forceful God (vv. 7-8)

This is not a God that can be ignored, nor is He a passive God -> He demands and will get a response from every individual

This is not to say that His grace is irresistible, but that there are irresistible consequences for our response to God

God is not the person we see once and never thin about again -> He will be thought about by every sould for all eternity

This is why it is so necessary to respond to God while you have the free will to do so!