Exposition by Max A Forsythe
The
Reformer's Fire
Exposition by Max A Forsythe
We don't know much about the prophet Nahum, except that it was definitely against Nineveh and that he was from Elkoshite. From some of the internal evidence in the book we may loosely place the prophet and his ministry in the outline below:
663 BC Thebes devastated by Assurbanipal
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The probable time of Nahum
626 BC Scythian invasion of Assyria
625 BC Median invasion with possible
siege
612 BC Ninevah's final fall
Immediately after these prophecies the decline of Assyria went into high gear. Rumors of wars and those that followed so weakened the ancient Empire that at the end even their Capital city could not be defended.
As we consider a short series on the book of the Prophet Nahum, we should understand that this condemnation of such a wicked society does not imply that those nations who are only made to look better by the incredibly vile and wicked doings of the Assyrians are any less guilty for crimes ten time less severe. Neither should we consider ourselves permitted the luxury of thinking that we have to really be this bad before the God of heaven condemns us and takes us down the same sorry trail to death and destruction. Our Sovereign Triune God is a God of absolute holiness and righteousness. Israel and Judah had to learn the hard way that God's greater enemies could be used against His lesser enemies to prove the totality of God's wrath against any and all sin! This is an important point that we must consider before we turn to God's sovereign promise to destroy all of those who hate His Son, His Spirit, His law, His people and His rule.
Immediately upon the completion of his introductory verse, the Prophet provides a psalm of praise to the greatness of our Father God in verses two through eight. To comprehend what the prophet is doing here we have to ask a question which may very well embarrass most of our "New Testament Churches" today. Yes, you heard me right, we have a lot of congregations where only the New Covenant of Grace is taught and proclaimed as some minimal good news.
Few places are there today where the whole counsel of God is given respect, let alone even taught. We do have to look to the Old Covenant to comprehend the New. Without the proper understanding of sin, its fallen nature and its impact on the history of every nation and tribe, we could little comprehend the Great News of salvation which is demonstrated through God's love for us while we were yet sinners. Love so amazing and full that by His good mercy He sovereignly sets aside His righteous and holy judgment of total and final condemnation for all of those sinners who are graciously covered by the blood of His own Son Jesus Christ.
Now for the essential question: Is God a Holy God or a Loving God? Careful, you really can't have it both ways because one flows out of the other. And if we were to spend some time in argument I would hope to be able to convince you that holiness is much more likely to generate love than love is to generate holiness! Think about it, which Testament comes first, the one whose theme is the absolute sovereign holiness of our God, or the one whose theme sets forth the good Gospel that even those creatures who are unholy by definition, experience and hopefully confession may by His love, mercy and grace be saved in spite of themselves?
In the fullness of time was love revealed, and yet it was known and experienced by the Old Covenant saints whose hearts were set on fire by the same Spirit who informs us in our time! Ever in the New Covenant Church we must take account of Paul's words to the Romans in [Romans 12: 19] "Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay.' says the Lord."
Without that footnote to the whole of the New Covenant revelation, we would too likely focus on a cheap "only believe" faith that demeans the great love of God who set aside His own holy law to redeem us fallen creatures. In verse two and the first half of three Nahum testifies to the absolute holiness of God's righteous indignation against every enemy. But even that absolute wrath is tempered by patience as we see in the great passage "The Lord is slow to anger and great in power".
But there is in the administration of His power the fact that the guilty will not be unpunished and that even the forces of nature are His to administer and control. "Who can withstand his indignation? Who can endure his fierce anger? There is no hope in hell for any who are headed there! Finally in this short psalm, verses seven and eight, Nahum contrasts the way of the wicked with the way of the wise who truly trust in Him. But Nineveh will be pursued to the very gates of hell if I may paraphrase the darkness here.
In the next section of our test, verses nine through eleven, we see the incredible wrath of God being personalized specifically towards the Assyrians. Oh tremble at this incredible wrath if you are not in the love of God. Look at the crimes of Nineveh - they have dared to plot against the Lord! And what promise does He reveal to Nahum? "trouble will not come a second time." That means more than trouble - destruction, total and certain must come upon them! They must be consumed by the fire of His wrath.
Once again Nahum sorts out the duality of God's final verdict. Good News is altered in the next few verses with bad news. In verses twelve and thirteen the good news is that Judah's days of oppression will end. The reason is given in verse fourteen: Assyria will be completely and utterly destroyed. With that said, there will be none at last to destroy the people of God. Judah may celebrate when all of God's enemies are accounted for.
However, there will be battle both Assyria and Judah will suffer destruction. And Assyria is warned to prepare herself to do battle with the Lord God of creation. Pity the poor humanistic society that does not tremble at His wrath. Would they dare pretend to defend themselves?
But, Judah like all of God's people caught in the ancient struggle between the City of God and those humanistic cities of man will suffer loss for evident sins, but in the final analysis, Judah will be restored by the hand of the Lord.
This is great news indeed. Even when the course of history temporarily turns against God's people who honestly try to do His will, even when people are martyred for the faith, God's will be done. Those who belong to Him will be restored while those who do not will go down to destruction. May we be fortunate enough to be called the friends of God whose final citizenship is in His eternal City. And may we witness to the sons of earth who have not time or inclination to seek His face until His final coming in Glory.
Resources Used:
Baker, David W. Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries: Nahum, Habakkuk & Zephaniah.
Boice, James M. The Minor Prophets: An Expositional Commentary.
Places Taught:
Christ Covenant REFORMED (Presbyterian Church in America)
Box 13926 -- Columbus, OH 43213
Joel01a 16 June 98
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