Read Nahum 1:2–6
Questions from the Scripture text: Who is jealous (Nahum 1:2a)? Who avenges? Who avenges and is furious (verse 2b)? What will YHWH do (verse 2c)? What does HE reserve for His enemies (verse 2d)? To what is YHWH slow (Nahum 1:3a)? In what is He great? What won’t He do (verse 3b)? Where does YHWH have His way (verse 3c–d)? What are as the dust of His feet (verse 3e)? What does He rebuke (v4Nahum 1:4)? With what effect? What does He make to quake (Nahum 1:5a)? With what effects (verse 5b–d)? What rhetorical question does Nahum 1:6a ask? With what implied answer? What rhetorical question does verse 6b ask? With what implied answer? Why can’t anyone endure His wrath (verse 6c–d)?
What would God have us do, now, with His wrath? Nahum 1:2–6 prepares us for the morning sermon in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these five verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the Lord would have us mindful of the reality and nature of His wrath.
It’s about the Lord, Nahum 1:2. The book of Nahum is written about Nineveh, and often addresses Nineveh, but it is given to Judah. Judah isn’t just in a bad place politically and militarily, having been oppressed by Assyria for around a century. Judah is in a bad place spiritually, halfway through the reign of Manasseh, with idolatry, and other immense but lesser evils running amok.
So, even the way that this little book begins is telling. It is the burden against Nineveh, but their name doesn’t even appear again until Nahum 2:8, about halfway through the book. YHWH’s Name, however appears five times in the first two verses of the actual prophecy (Nahum 1:2-3). God’s vengeance is not nearly as much about Judah as it is about YHWH. Nineveh (and the wicked in Judah!) are HIS adversaries (Nahum 1:2c), HIS enemies (verse 2d).
Here is comfort for the faithful in Judah: the greatness of YHWH’s vengeance flows from the greatness of His jealousy (Nahum 1:2a), His commitment to His own glorious Name. Surely, every wrong against them will be avenged with unimaginable intensity. But, here is a warning for the unrepentant in Judah: YHWH will take vengeance upon them in the same divine fury.
Take comfort by faith, and repent by faith, Nahum 1:3a–b. These two lines are a summary of Exodus 34:6–7. And they explain “what is taking so long” in the judgment of Assyria. YHWH acts on His own schedule. His agenda centers upon saving those whom He is bringing to repentance (cf. Romans 9:22–24), so His timetable is marked by slowness to anger (Nahum 1:3a). But this must not be taken either as an inability to act (YHWH is “great in power,” verse 3a) or unwillingness to act (YHWH “will not at all acquit,” verse 3b).
So, we must not walk by sight. When the wicked seem to be safe for a very long time, we must remain sure of what He says about Himself in His Word, and sure of His vengeance and wrath upon them. And, when we seem to have “gotten away with” our sins, we must remain sure that He hates our sin—and that we are in desperate need of the atoning blood of Jesus Christ for our guilt, and the resurrection power of Jesus Christ for our walking in newness of life. These certainties come when we walk by faith in His Word, rather than misjudging by the small sample-size of what we think we have seen so far. The mercy of His patience toward us should move us to repentance (cf. Romans 2:3–11).
Understanding His wrath, Nahum 1:3-5. So His Word, here, teaches us several things about His wrath. His wrath appears suddenly; it arises like a whirlwind or a storm (Nahum 1:3c–d). His wrath is inscrutable; those clouds that are so far above us are the dust that is beneath His feet; we cannot begin to comprehend His wrath (verse 3e). The effect of His wrath is instantaneous; just a rebuke instantly dries up the sea and the rivers (Nahum 1:4a–b). It is like the fire of God burning up the water in 1 Kings 18:38; when Jesus does this in the boat, the disciples are right to be very afraid of Him, for He identifies Himself as YHWH from Nahum 1:4! The effect of His wrath is immense; lush Bashan, mighty Carmel, and flourishing Lebanon are all made barren by this rebuke (Nahum 1:4c–d). Finally, the whole world is subject to God’s wrath: mountains (Nahum 1:5a), hills (verse 5b), and all the earth (verse 5c)—they quake at His presence. He is everywhere present in His wrath! But it is not just the world, but especially “all who dwell in it” that are subject to this glorious wrath (verse 5d).
Preparing for His wrath, Nahum 1:6. Why put us in mind of all of these truths about His wrath? To press upon us the questions in verse 6a,b. There is no more important or practical question for life or eternity. Wrath breaks into this world in events like the destruction of Nineveh (verse 6c–d). But greater wrath waits for all of the wicked when they leave this world. We must each ask: can I stand before His indignation? Can I endure the fierceness of His anger? By ourselves, the answer is a resounding, “No!” Be sure, dear reader, the answer to verse 6a–b is “none but Christ”! Attempting to hide in anyone or anything beside Christ is even worse! But, if we kiss the Son, and trust in Him, we will escape that wrath and find ourselves to be blessed forever.
How often are you mindful of the wrath of the Lord? How is it a comfort to you in the face of the evil that is on the earth? How has it been sending you, in reinvigorated faith, to the Lord Jesus for refuge? How has it warmed your heart in evangelism and prayer to those who are not ready for the last day?
Sample prayer: Lord, thank You for the book of Nahum. Thank you for reminding us of Your wrath. By Your Spirit’s blessing on Your Word, when it comes to Your wrath, please don’t let it be “out of sight, out of mind” for us. We praise You, God of vengeance, for You will not at all acquit the wicked. We thank You, God of grace, that You are slow to anger. By Your great power, hide us in Christ, that we may stand before You in Him now, on the last day, and forever, we ask in His Name, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP49A “God, the LORD from Whom Is Vengeance” or TPH2B “All Authority and Power”
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