SCRIPTURE: Nahum 1
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
The Lord is a jealous and avenging God; the Lord takes vengeance and is filled with wrath. The Lord takes vengeance on his foes and maintains his wrath against his enemies. [Nahum 1:2]
Is this the picture you have of God?
Jealous, avenging, taking vengeance, filled with wrath?
Is this a God that you love, or a God that you fear?
It all depends on where you stand in relation to God.
For the victim, the oppressed, the abused, God is a refuge [Nahum 1:7] but to those who oppose Him and goodness and justice, He is a fierce enemy [Nahum 1:8]
The Jews (and many other nations) were under the fierce oppression of the Assyrians.
Nahum speaks to all who are oppressed: Look, there on the mountains, the feet of one who brings good news, who proclaims peace! [Nahum 1:15]
This applies to the Jews in particular, but to all who are weak and burdened.
To them a Nahum is a messenger of good news, one that proclaims peace to come.
Like Nahum, Jesus also comes as a messenger of good news and peace.
‘The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.’ [Luke 4:18-19]
Jesus mentions the year of the Lord’s favor, and we know this to be the year of Jubilee, and special festival of freedom and peace.
This reminds us of how Nahum also speaks of the festivals: Celebrate your festivals, O Judah, and fulfill your vows. No more will the wicked invade you; they will be completely destroyed. [Nahum 1:15]
But what makes Jesus unique is that He is more than the messenger, He is the fulfillment of the message.
Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, and he began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing. [Luke 4:20-21]
Jesus does not just come to announce the good news, He is the good news, the One that will accomplish the peace that Nahum and Isaiah spoke of.
Jesus is the One that addresses God’s justice and mercy on the cross.
Sin is punished, and sinners are forgiven and offered hope.
God hates sin, and all that sin does to us; in this respect God is and always will be a jealous, avenging, angry God.
But without minimizing His justice, He also finds a way to show His mercy.
All those who repent, who admit that sin is really bad, and who share with God a hatred for injustice, cruelty, greed, etc. will find God to be a refuge and a comfort.
So it all depends on where you stand in relation to God.
PRAYER:
Lord, You hate cruelty and injustice. We must too. You came to punish sin and bring hope to sinners. Help me not to resist You, but to join You in Your passion for justice!