Nahum

Nahum 1:2 “The LORD is a jealous and avenging God; the LORD is avenging and wrathful; the LORD takes vengeance on his adversaries and keeps wrath for his enemies.”

Nahum is all about Nineveh and its wickedness and what God is going to do about the wickedness. The prophet presents God in His vengeance against adversaries’ role. This is not a pleasant book to read if you are in the enemy camp. It is true, as Nahum shows, that to fall into the hands of an angry God is a terrible thing. Those who believe God only has one side and that is a good to all side, should read this prophecy against Nineveh. Listen to the prophet, “The LORD is a jealous and avenging God.” The Lord is slow to anger but He is not free from anger against those who dishonor Him by disobedience. It is something to think about the next time you are tempted to choose Satan instead of Him.

You will notice if you read more of the first chapter that in spite of the wrath, Nahum sees God as good and a stronghold to those who come to Him for refuge. There is no universal salvation in Nahum. There is no “God is so good, He will save everyone in the end. You cannot live in opposition to God and expect goodness at the end. This is plain to any reader. It’s not just in Nahum either. We’ve seen it in all the prophets. God is good to the faithful but the wicked and vile come into His wrath and are severely punished.

Task for Today: Do not live today as if there will be no answer to give for your life choices. Don’t expect a welcome home if you stay away. God accepts the runaway son if the son returns home. He will not force you to live a godly life, however. He will hound you to the ends of the earth but He will not force you to come back with Him. If you are astray, today is the day to go home while the door is still open. Nineveh waited too long.