Day 216 – Nahum

Talking Points

• Nahum is a prophet charged with telling Judah of God’s coming judgment on the Assyrians and their capital, Nineveh. The recorded words are staggering, promising utter destruction and disgrace. Some have called the book of Nahum a “song of hate.” Others have even rejected its inclusion in the Bible because of its harsh description of violence at the hand of God.
• Nahum means “to comfort.” The prophet is bringing good news to Judah. Their rival oppressor will be destroyed.
• The honest question that pops up as we read Nahum might be: “Wow! What kind of God is this?” As we read through the Bible, remember the importance of context. Scripture cannot be understood apart from its specific setting. To understand this book and its radical promise of judgment, we must remember who the Assyrians are. They have been violent oppressors of Judah and all its neighboring nations for more than 100 years. God had witnessed to them. They had seen His power. Through Jonah, He had called them to repent, and they even had — for a time. God had warned the Assyrians of His coming judgment. Yet, they wickedly, violently, pridefully persisted. God will uphold His promise in judgment of their sin and in relief to His people.

Thoughts

The message of the gospel is understandably simple and beautifully complex. A child can understand it, and, at the same time, the deepest thoughts of man can’t fully appreciate it. It is a marvel, and expectantly so — our God is as well.

In Nahum, we come to an important crossroads in our understanding of God and His gospel. Is God a God of wrathful judgment, or is He a God of gracious forgiveness and love? Don’t we see throughout Scripture, that He is described both ways? How can that ever reconcile?

The truth that worldly reasoning can’t accept is that God is both, and necessarily so. He judges sin, upholding righteousness. He is unswerving in His perfect standard. And, for sin to be conquered, we need Him to be so. At the same time, He is forgiving, gracious, and quick to relent. The truth stands: He has never forsaken a repentant soul. And, for us to be saved, we need Him to be so.

In the deepest and most beautiful way, both of those things take place at the cross. Both of those truths are fulfilled in Christ. In Jesus, sin is punished, terribly judged. In Jesus, forgiveness is offered, graciously secured. Thank the Lord for His marvelously simple and stunningly complex gospel!