Untitled Sermon

1. Introduction to Nahum (v. 1)

a. What characteristics of God comforts you when you go through difficult times?

b. Nahum: God’s judgment against Nineveh <<Read 1:1>>

i. Nineveh – capital of Assyrian Empire

ii. Time of prophecy (~640 BC) – Assyria at the height of its power

iii. Nineveh represented an immovable force that stood head and shoulders above the rest of the world.

c. “Nahum” – little known prophet. “Vision” – God’s words (of judgment)

d. Jews – underdog. Assyria – big bad bully

i. How could God let His great nation fall to this evil empire?

e. These words are God’s promise of justice, His vindication of His name.

i. Words of judgment become comfort to the ears of God’s people.

ii. Perhaps you are in a similar place – cruelty, wildfires, finding purpose behind the chaos

iii. Nahum - comfort

f. Nahum 1:2-8 will comfort you with three facts about the coming judgment of the Sovereign God. <<Read Nahum 1:2–8>>

2. God’s Inevitable Judgment (vv. 2–3a)

a. Verses 2–8 is a hymn, a psalm about God and what He does. (God as a quarterback) (God’s judgment is real)

b. Avenging God

i. “Avenging” used three times in verse 2. Participle – continual action

c. God is taking vengeance because He is jealous.

i. Exodus 34 – God’s name is Jealous.

ii. “Jealous” – Not give His worship to any other god. Zealous after His own glory.

iii. God stirs in wrath against Nineveh

d. Why is God jealous (narcissistic)?

i. God is God. He stands alone.

ii. Three names used here: Lord (Yahweh), God (El), and Master (Baal)

e. God’s judgment is inevitable

i. Every minute and every second this world gives worship to another object is another ounce added to His growing wrath.

ii. Vengeance against His enemies. (John 15:20)

f. God is the sovereign king of the world.

i. All people have to answer him—no citizenship, no identity

ii. Nineveh was used to punished Israel, but they too must answer to God.

iii. No one is exempt – they will face the inevitable

g. Slow to anger and great and power (v. 3)

i. You do not see fire and brimstone raining down now

ii. God is patient, in total control of His wrath. Released at His timing

iii. This is not an excuseto be complacent in your faith.

iv. Today is a day of salvation  tomorrow you may face judgment (God will by no means clear the guilty)

3. God’s Inescapable Judgment (vv. 3b-6)

a. God’s sovereign control over nature

b. Verse 3b

i. In the midst of a storm you feel utterly powerless, at the mercy of Mother Nature.

ii. God controls the storms. They carry out His commands.

c. Verse 4

i. Assyrian empire built around Tigris and Euphrates River. Nineveh harnessed power and irrigation from the Khoser River.

ii. Bashan, Carmel, and Lebanon – fertile land

iii. God dries them up with one slurp of His straw

d. Verse 5, 6b

i. Wind, water, earth, fire – four elements of nature (natural disasters)

ii. Representations of His wrath– God uses them to remind the world that judgment is coming.

iii. Man is not in control. There is one Sovereign God ruling over all.

e. Verse 6a

i. Two rhetorical questions. Answer: no one can escape (Rom 3:23)

ii. Coming judgment against Nineveh represents God’s anger against our sins

f. Do you ever consider the implications of God’s wrath in your life?

i. Those who persecute us—they will not escape God’s wrath

ii. Love your enemies. Evangelize. But goal must be God’s glory

4. God’s Inviolable Judgment (vv. 7-8)

a. God’s judgment is final. Verdict remains forever.

b. Verse 7

i. God’s love and judgment work side-by-side

ii. Verse 7 begins without any contradictions (intrudes like an unexpected hiccup)

iii. Lord is good because He is just.

iv. Lord is good to those who take refuge in Him. He “knows” them (more than FB friends)

v. For God’s enemies – direct opposite (Nahum 2:13; 3:5)

vi. Matthew 7:23 – “I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.”

c. Verse 8

i. Darkness – distress and anguish. Negative connotation

ii. Two destinations laid out for man (Psalm 1, Sermon on the Mount)

iii. Our lives here may be temporary but what we do today echoes for eternity.

d. How does this OT judgment apply to us?

i. Jesus came back to bear the sins of the elect. But story of redemption is not complete at the cross.

ii. There will be a second coming, one where judgment will fall

iii. 1 Thess 5:1–3, 4, 9–10

iv. The cross brings refuge for those who seek God (John 10 – good shepherd)

v. And indeed Jesus did lay down His life for His sheep. For on the day Jesus hung on that cross, darkness fell upon the land.

vi. Repent and know God and His deep love for you.

5. Conclusion

a. God’s judgment is inevitable, inescapable, and inviolable

b. Comfort to know the world will face its end – justice will be served

c. Comfort to persevere through difficulties in life – God knows your suffering

d. Comfort in deepening our faith in Christ

i. The magnitude of our sins magnifies the richness of God’s grace

ii. Rom 5 - While you were God’s enemy, Christ died for you.

iii. He has purchased your salvation with His life.

iv. He became sin on your behalf so that you may receive His righteousness.

v. This is the great gospel of Jesus Christ. It is this deep love of God that can truly comfort us. For if God is for us, then who can be against us?