The Truth About God s Wrath The Book of Nahum Date: Nahum s ministry spanned between the years 663 and 654 B.C. This means he would ve ministered during the reign of the wicked king Manasseh. Author: We know nothing about Nahum other than his name means comfort. It s likely he was a prophet from the Southern Kingdom though this is far from certain. Audience: The audience was the Southern Kingdom but the prophecies of God s outpouring of wrath was aimed at the Ninevites. Incidentally, this is probably the reason his name means comfort. To the Israelites, having God unleash his wrath on their hated enemy would bring them comfort, especially considering the Assyrian forces brutality in the destruction of the Northern Kingdom. Theology: This book provides a great compliment to the book of Jonah. Where Jonah emphasizes God s mercy, Nahum emphasizes God s wrath. Taken together they give a message of God s mercy for those who repent and God s wrath for those who persist in wickedness. God s comfort for his people is found in his consistent and everlasting justice. No one will ever go to Hell that doesn t deserve to be there. Conversely, no one will ever end up in heaven because they deserve to be there. God s mercy and wrath have always been consistent and consistently applied to humanity. The book can be divided roughly like this: Message Reference Ninevah s Destruction Foretold 1:1-14 Israel s Guilty Leaders and the Hope to Come 1:15-3:19 Message: The message of Nahum is that love and wrath are inextricably tied together. In other words, to believe in God s love is to be sure of his wrath and anger. God s anger and wrath flow from his love. His passionate love for his people, for his creation and his given design is overwhelming. When his people or his creation choose to buck the design or choose a new path, God s wrath and anger are kindled. Not out of pettiness or capriciousness but out of love.
God s wrath is not motivated by revenge. His wrath is an execution of just retribution. God has ordered his creation and any deviation from that is an offense against God. An offense that requires just punishment. For Us Today: As we look around and see an increasingly hostile world, it s easy to be discouraged. With political upheavals, open persecution of Christians and the legislation of immorality, you have to wonder how much longer God will wait. We re actually reminded in Nahum, though, that God is slow to anger (1:3), he is good and in control (1:7) and he has the power to restore what s gone wrong (2:2). God s wrath is accompanied by his mercy and love. Our job is not to wallow or despair over societies ill but rather to preach the Word. In preaching the Word to a dying world, God s patience is rewarded by even the most vile sinners coming to know him. In doing this, he shows himself even more powerful and compelling. Read Nahum 1 What description of God in verses 1-6 is most striking to you? Why? How can you reconcile the statement in verse 7 with the rest of this chapter? What charges are found against Nineveh are found in verses 9-14?
Though this was written to Nineveh, what could Judah gain from hearing the charges against Nineveh? Looking again at verse 7, in what way do you need God s refuge from the world? Read Nahum 2 Given that moral evil is the cause of Nineveh s fall, what point does this chapter make about armies and power? (vv. 3-6) How is Nineveh like a pool? (vs. 8) Nineveh was full of statues of lions, how is this turned against them in verses 11-13?
Nahum deals with the plundering of Ninevite wealth (vv. 9-10). How can you begin to better acknowledge God's control over your possessions? Read Nahum 3 How would you characterize the tone of this chapter? Nineveh was famous for temple prostitution. How does Nahum appropriately use this reputation as a metaphor in verses 4-7? What is the sin of the merchants in verse 16? How can you make God s sovereignty better known in your surroundings?
For Further Study www.soniclight.com Scholarly, yet accessible, free commentaries by Dr. Constable of Dallas Theological Seminary. www.bible.org Studies, outlines, commentaries on all manner of Biblical questions and books. Some are more accessible than others but a great place to dig deeper. Free as well. www.preceptaustin.com Basically, if it s a free bible study, sermon, word study, commentary on the internet it s on this website. Tons of great resources and sermons from great, trusted men and women of God. www.insight.org Chuck Swindoll s website for Bible study. Not all the information on this site is free but the summaries of the books of the Bible are particularly clear and helpful.
Group Discussion Questions The questions below are meant to be discussion starters. Don t feel like you need to hit every question. They are application focused with the hope that the discussions lead to confession, repentance and prayer. As a staff, we re praying that God would show up in mighty ways, transforming and conforming you and your group. Is it possible to identify God s wrath today? If so, how? How does God s wrath work for those of us who are saved? We re spared eternal wrath but are there expressions of wrath that we are not spared? Where have you seen God s wrath and love expressed?