God of Justice (2)

[Introduction] Good morning, my name is Pastor Clint. I have the privilege of beginning a new three week sermon series in Nahum. So, if you have your Bible please turn to Nahum chapter 1.

Opening illustration

Main Idea: God will execute perfect justice against the wicked securing joy and peace for the righteous.

{Context} The stage for our text is set in verse 1 where we read, “An oracle concerning Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum of Elkosh.” Right up front we are informed that this work is a vision, a work of prophecy. Like all prophetic writings, Nahum is writing what God is declaring. And this prophetic message concerns Nineveh. The primary wicked nation that we have in view is Assyria, and its capital city Nineveh. Of course, most of us are familiar with Nineveh as the city that responded in remarkable widespread repentance to Jonah’s preaching Jonah chapter 3. However, Nahum is writing about a century later and this Nineveh is back to outright rebellion against God. These Assyrians were famously brutal in their treatment of other nations, the people of Israel included, so Nahum’s prophetic message of judgment against this nation is a warning to all wicked oppressors, and as we will see, it is beacon of hope to the oppressed. This morning we will first Consider God the perfect judge (1-8). These verses are an initial declaration of who God is, and what God does. The basis for this warning to the wicked and the hope to the righteous rests with the identity and activity of God. So, Nahum begins his prophetic declaration with this majestic announcement of who God is. It reads as if God himself is arriving into the scene in power and authority. Let’s consider his person as judge and then his actions as judge.

Let’s read verses 2 and 3 to Consider his person as judge (1-3a). Verse 2 says, “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. 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.” The first observation to make is that God is a jealous and avenging judge (2). This term “jealous” is usually a negative description for us, isn’t it? We often use the word to refer to an expression of envy, desire to have someone else's experience or possession, or as a possessiveness. But we can broaden this understanding with God. One theologian defined God’s jealousy as “his holy commitment to his honor, glory, and love.” God’s possessive, protective, jealousy towards anyone who seeks to rob him of his glory is a manifestation of his character, not sinful because he is alone is worthy of glory.

He is also an avenging God. This is a crucial aspect of what we mean when we say that God is just. He will address sin, and he will address all sin.

But he is does not operate like a judge in some district court who is intentionally neutral, emotionally distanced from the case.

No, all sin is a personal affront to God, all sin is against God. Therefore, God judges perfectly but also personally. His justice is a sentencing of vengeance upon the wicked whose wickedness is an act of rebellion against their king. Nahum doubles down with the remainder of the verse showing that the Lord is avenging and wrathful; he takes vengeance on his adversaries and keeps wrath for his enemies. God’s perfect justice involves a pouring out of wrath on the wicked. Paul states clearly in Romans 1:18, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.”

Of course, the idea of a wrathful God is not popular. But the text is clear on the purpose of God’s wrath, it is kept for his enemies. As God’s people, we are not his enemies and no longer the recipients of this wrath. In Psalm 103:10 we read, “He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.” This is the glorious reality of the Gospel, Romans 5:9 says, “Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.” One of the most amazing and sobering aspects of Jesus’ atoning work on the cross is that God’s wrath on sin was poured out on him. You see their is no distinction between the wrathful, holy, just God in Nahum and the merciful, gracious God who provided salvation in the New Testament. This is the same God, and these attributes are perfectly aligned in the Gospel. God acted consistently in the Gospel with how Nahum describes him here, God poured his wrath out on sin, he acted in jealous vengeance on sin. However, Jesus took our place on the cross and died enduring that wrath and full satisfying that wrath so that our sin is full atoned for, the price is paid, through Jesus we are in right relationship with God. In this way, the combined descriptions of God as a jealous, just, avenging, yet merciful, gracious, and loving God gives us categories for understanding key Biblical doctrines such as God’s love in atoning for sin, his sovereignty in working salvation, and the inevitability of eternal destruction for those who reject him.

[Application] Let me pause and encourage you that God’s wrath is not reserved for you. Let me encouraged you that through the Gospel you have been saved from this punishment you deserve, and that at the same time it is not because God has changed, he will still be faithful to judge sin and right every wrong. At every step along the way in our text, the warnings to the wicked will be encouragements to the righteous.

[Explanation] God is a jealous and avenging judge who pours wrath out on his enemies. But in verse 3 we also see that he is a merciful and powerful judge (3). Verse 3 begins, “The Lord is slow to anger and great in power.” This language is reminiscent of Psalm 34:6, “The Lord, The Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.” Again, this is who God is. He is perfect in his vengeance, he is perfect in his mercy, he is perfect in his justice, and he is perfect in his grace.” And lest this powerful description of his justice gives some impression that there is something brutal and reactionary and imprecise about God’s justice, Nahum tells us that he is actually slow to anger. This is self-evident, isn’t it? If God were not slow to anger than the Ninevites would have been obliterated a long time ago. In fact, if God were not slow to anger, if he was not merciful and gracious than there would be no nations, their would be only rubble, the remains of kingdoms punished by God.

He is also powerful. This is a simple description, but God’s all-powerfulness, his omnipotence, is important in considering his person as judge because God is able to execute justice. He is not caught off guard by the rampant evil around him, trying to regain control over his kingdom. No, his sovereignty overall all things enables his justice over all evil.

[Application] Let me pause and ask hasn’t God been slow to anger with you? Do you lose your temper quickly? Or have you known someone who gets mad quickly.

I had a friend in high school who was this way. During sporting events we would see his temper rising in his eyes when he would get upset and we would all brace ourselves preparing for the impending explosion of anger.

Aren’t you thankful that God is not that way? If he was, we would have no hope. Instead, God is slow to anger, he is patient with us. Praise God for that.

[Explanation] We have seen a few descriptions of God’s person as judge, let’s look at a final one in the second line of verse 3 which says “The Lord will by no means clear the guilty.” What we find here is that God is a just judge (3). That seems redundant, doesn’t it? However, unjust justice systems have existed.

We have the phrase Kangaroo Court to refer to a court that ignores recognized standard of justice or ignores due process so that they can render a faulty predetermined conclusion. A kangaroo court would have an unjust judge.

However, God’s justice is perfect. He will address sin rightly, he will punish the guilty with the deserving punishment, he is not going to miss or overlook any evidence. He is not going to be bribed by one guilty member, or feel bias for another. He will perfectly uphold justice.

[Application] Are you thankful that God is just? Are you thankful that God will by no means clear the guilty. When you look around at our society do you not long for justice? We do, we desire for evil to be vanquished, we long for abusers to be punished, we want to see goodness and peace in our communities. We want the young to be safe, and we want righteousness to be rewarded. Let me encouraged you this morning Faith Church that if you are feeling discouraged by the news of the day, if you are tired of seeing pain and oppression, God is a just judge. And he will execute perfect justice on all things.

[Explanation] We have seen God’s person as judge, let’s now Consider his actions as judge (3b-8). Please look with me back at our text and we will actually read the rest of 3 and then 4, “His way is in whirlwind and storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet. He rebukes the sea and makes it dry; he dries up all the rivers; Bashan and Carmel wither; the bloom of Lebanon withers.” It is first clear that his judgments are authoritative (3b-4). Nahum uses nature imagery to demonstrate God’s authority. We read that his way is like a whirlwind and storm. Think about destructive force of a powerful storm as it tears through a region, this is how Nahum helps us visualize God’s judgments. Not only do these elements of nature remind us of God’s power, but we are also reminded that he has authority over them. In verse 4 we see that God rebukes the sea and rivers and makes them dry. This language will be particularly resonant in response to the Ninevites because the city depended on a natural water-barrier as basic element of defense against opposing nations. Now Nahum is declaring that God can dry up that defense with a rebuke.

Not only does God have this authority to dry up great bodies of water, but he can wither lush geographical areas. He mentions Bashan, Carmel, and Lebanon all of which would have been known to Nahum’s readers as fertile, forested, well-watered areas. Yet God can easily remove their fruitlessness. By mentioning Lebanon he almost certainly has in mind their world famous cedars. Yet, God has authority over every aspect of nature. And his authority over nature only further emphasizes the authority of his judgments over man.

Second, we see that his judgments are feared (5-6). In verse 5 we read, “The mountains quake before him; the hills melt; the earth heaves before him, the world and all who dwell in it.” What a visceral image, mountains are afraid of God, they melt before him.

This imagery impacts me a little different now then it did a couple years ago. I grew up in Wisconsin which is fairly flat, and then spent a few years in North Carolina but I was east of the mountains, didn’t see much elevation. Then I came here and it changed my perspective. I remember coming out to visit about a year and a half ago and I parked there in full view of the San Dias and I remember thinking, if I get the job here I am going to park here everyday so I can look at that. Because mountains are impressive, they are massive, they seem impenetrable. But they quake before God.

These hills melt in God’s presence, everyone should fear God. The earth heaves before him, but verse 5 explains the imagery directly this time. It is not just the world, the earth itself that fears God, but all who dwell in it. And to be honest, those who dwell on earth have good reason to fear God’s judgments, don’t they? Everyone is guilty. Not only that, but verse 6 indicates that we can do nothing to prevent God from enacting his perfect judgments. Verse 6 says, “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.” All sinners should quake in fear before God since they cannot stand before him. God’s wrath is unstoppable, it is a controlled destructive force accomplishing its purpose perfectly.

[Application] authority and fear

[Explanation] Third, his judgments are good (7). In the midst of these powerful descriptions of God’s justice are a reminder that nothing we read here minimizes his benevolence. Verse 7 says, “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him.” God is good. His goodness is not altered by his justice, in fact they are interconnected. Judgment on sin is good, it is out of God’s goodness that he upholds what is good and abhors what is evil. And his goodness is specifically tied to his role as a refuge to his people. He is a stronghold in trouble and he is a refuge for those who in danger. This might feel a little bit jarring, Nahum has described God repeatedly as one who should be feared. But now he is one who a protector to those in fear.

To some the Law is fearful but to the innocent it is a source of protection

Nahum is reminding the Israelites of the main idea of our sermon today, that the perfect justice which should bring fear and terror and change to those in rebellion is itself a source of comfort and security for those who know God, to those whose crimes have been exonerated through Jesus.

[Application] ?

[Explanation] Fourth, we see that his judgments are final (8). Verse 8 says, “But with an overwhelming flood he will make a complete end of the adversaries, and will pursue his enemies into darkness.” God’s will not pass a sentence, only for that guilty party to have their case advanced to a higher court. There is no higher court. God will make a complete end to his enemies. His justice is perfect, it is complete, and it is definite for the wicked.

[Application] ?

{Transition} We have considered God the perfect judge in his person and activity, now we need to shift and Respond to God the Perfect Judge (9-15). We will look at how the wicked should respond, and how the righteous should respond.

[Explanation] Let’s first look at how the wicked should respond with fear and repentance (9-14). Let’s read verses 9-11, “What do you plot against the Lord? He will make a complete end; trouble will not rise up a second time. For they are like entangled thorns, like drunkards as they drink; they are consumed like stubble fully dried. From you came one who plotted evil against the Lord, a worthless counselor.” The wicked should respond in fear instead of plotting against God (9-11). We are not have an abstract study in God’s character this morning, no Nahum is specifically highlighting these truths because of their resonance in his day, and because of their resonance in every day. So, he now turns from describing God to asking a specific question regarding a specific set of people. He asks why they would plot against God? You can feel this almost incredulous tone of voice rising up in Nahum, if God is rebuking the sea, if mountains fear God, then why would you plot and scheme against God? Why would you act as though your plans to defeat God have any chance at success. As we saw a minute ago, Gods’ judgments are final. He doubles down on that idea in verse 9 stating that he will make a complete end, trouble will not rise up a second time. In other words, those who plot against God will lose. And there will be no opportunity for a counter-strike. There will be no way of learning from their mistakes to get back and defeat God or to continue their evil, no when God judges it will be over. They can make every plot imaginable and they will fail. Which means they shouldn’t be plotting, they should be afraid. The wicked should live in constant fear of the promised, impending, unstoppable judgment that is coming.

A modern day wickedness that should live in fear

Nahum describes these plotting wicked ones as entangled thorns, like drunkards as they drink; they are consumed like stubble fully dried.

[Application] ?

[Explanation] Let’s continue by reading verses 12-14, “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. And now I will break his yoke from off you and will burst your bonds apart. 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.” The wicked should respond in repentance instead of rebelling against God (12-14). Verses 12 and 13 reveal a full army in active rebellion being easily defeated by God. They are trying to rebel. We see in verse 12 that they are at full strength. This is the fully equipped, well-trained, well resourced army marching in unison against God. What happens to this rebellious force? They will be cut down, they will pass away. They do not stand a chance.

Affliction?

[Application] ?

[Explanation] Our text concludes with the other response. The righteous should respond with joy and peace (15). Verse 15 says, “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.” First, God’s justice is good news to the righteous (15). We have a beautiful image here in verse 15. We have this image of a messenger running to God’s people. And there are mountains in the distance, so behold upon the mountains speaks to this distant figure who is coming bearing news. But what kind of news is it? He brings good news. Brothers and sister’s God’s justice is good news to the righteous. It is a dire warning to the wicked. But to those within the community seeking justice, hoping for these oppressors to be vanquished. Justice is good news.

Gospel?

Second, God’s justice brings peace to the righteous (15). Explanation

[Application] ?

[Conclusion] ?