Justice and Deliverance

December 26, 2021 Background Scripture: Nahum 1:1 - 3, 6 - 8, 12, 13, 15 Lesson Passage: Nahum 1:1 -3, 6 - 8, 12, 13, 15 It is not often that our Sunday School lesson focuses on the message of the prophet Nahum. Nahum is classified as one of the minor prophets. It should be noted that the classification of the prophets is based on the extent of writing, or length of the prophetic message. There are some major spiritual principles to be found in the collection of the minor prophets. Nahum is the second prophet of God to address Nineveh, the capital city of the Assyrian Empire. Jonah prophesied against Nineveh almost a century earlier. Jonah was disappointed that the citizens of Nineveh, led by their king, heeded his warning and repented. God spared the Assyrians because they responded to His message and repented. God used this Gentile empire to punish His people in the northern kingdom of Israel, Once again Nineveh was being warned by God of impending judgment because of their sins. This time the message was not heeded by the king at the time as the previous king had a century earlier. God may use wicked nations to punish His people, but He does not acquit the wicked. When the wicked refuses to amend his ways when God sends a warning, then God judges and punishes the wicked. This applies to people and to nations of people. Perhaps God's sparing of the city a century earlier had emboldened their descendants. Sometimes we misinterpret God's mercy as meaning that He is soft and will not execute severe punishment. When we say, "God is good all the time", we should not assume that executing righteousness and punishing the wicked is not part of God's goodness, God is always good. God is always righteous. God is always holy. Although God is patient, or longsuffering, He still executes judgment against unrighteousness. This message of warning against Nineveh should have encouraged Judah at that time. The people of Judah were aware that God had used the Asyrian Empire to destroy Israel as a sovereign nation and carry the people into captivity as slaves. Unfortunately, this knowledge of God's prior actions had confused some of those of Judah. With Nahum's message, God was clearing up that confusion for Judah. God establishes righteousness and executes judgment among all nations. Yes, Nineveh had been used by God to punish Israel. Yes, Nineveh had repented previously when God had warned them of impending judgment. But now, Nineveh was again being warned and they were not going to repent. They would be judged, and the people of Judah would see it. Nineveh did not have unfettered access when it came to threatening the people of God. God expects and rewards righteousness in all nations. Likewise, God judges and punishes sin as well. Whether among His people or among people who don't know Him, "God is good all the time." Judah was going to be delivered from the threat of Nineveh because God was executing justice in Nineveh. The prophet named all the sins of Nineveh for which she was being judged by God. There was reason to hope again in Judah. They could return to celebrating the sacred feasts before the Lord. Nahum is a reminder that God doesn't just punish God-fearing nations for their sins. God is God of all creation. In His patience, God allows time for wicked nations to turn to Him for deliverance. But He is not patient with them forever; and justice will be executed. Robert C. Hudson November 29, 2021