Vengeance

O. T. #2209 "Vengeance"

 June 8, 2022 

Introduction to Nahum 

Nahum's name means comfort, consolation, a short form of Nehemiah, which means comfort of Yahweh. We don't know much about this prophet, other than he was born at Elkoshite or that was his place of ministry. (1:1) It is suggested that was our modern northern Iraq, since he was a descendant of the exiles taken to Assyria in 722 BC. Or perhaps Capernaum in southern Judah was his birthplace. At any rate, his birthplace was not significant.

Background

No mention is made of any kings in the introduction, but it was probably before the fall of Assyria and Nineveh, its captial. Probably, his prophecy was during the reign of Manasseh. Doom is predicted by Nahum for them. Although the Ninevehites had repented about a century earlier, due to Jonah's preaching, they returned to idol worship. His preaching occurred about 100 years before its message came true.

Now Nineveh was a proud city, with walls 100 feet high, 150 feet wide, and 60 feet deep. So they thought no army could bring them down. We know that nothing is impossible with our God, who brought vengeance upon them for violating His laws. (The same God who rebukes also shows His loving kindnesses upon the faithful.) He brought a flood with the Tigris River and destroyed the walls to let the Babylonians through. Nothing is greater than the God of Judah.

[Resource: The MacArthur Bible Commentary]

Nahum preaches against idolatry, immorality, injustice, and all manner of sin. Also, he gives encouragement to oppressed Judah.

Nahum describes God in 4 ways:

In 1:2, we read that God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth: the LORD revengeth, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on His adversaries, and He reserveth wrath for His enemies.

First, He is a jealous God who takes vengeance on His enemies. Three times Nahum says this warning. God is not imperfect, but burns with zeal for righteousness and justice, rises to defense of His own, yet executes judgment on those not His own or hurts His own.(Falwell)

No rival gods or nations that abused god's people will be tolerated by the Lord.  So let's watch what we do so we do not make God angry with us. Let's watch how we treat others, also.

Our God will see us through whatever comes our way. Stay on the path that is His Way, for Jesus is The Way for us to live.