(Psalm of Praise: Psalm 93)
Message
Where do you Stand with the LORD?
Originally given 4/10/11
Glorious King Jesus Christian Church
Pastor Sterling C. Franklin
John 7:50-52
'No prophet comes from Galilee'
Jonah - from Gath-Hepher (cf. 2 Kings 14:25), in the region of Galilee.
Nahum - from Elkosh, most likely in the region of Galilee.
They were wrong! Even so, as they were trying to belittle Galilee (we see Nicodemus defending Jesus and receiving reproach), they did not know that Jesus was actually born in Bethlehem! So what about this prophet from Galilee named Nahum?
Background
722: Israel (Northern Kingdom) falls to Assyria
612: Assyria ultimately falls to Babylon
Text: Nahum 1:2-8
(Intro: Nahum 1:1)
Nahum 1:1-8
1 The burden against Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.
2 God is jealous, and the LORD avenges; The LORD avenges and is furious. The LORD will take vengeance on His adversaries, And He reserves wrath for His enemies;
3 The LORD is slow to anger and great in power, And will not at all acquit the wicked. The LORD has His way In the whirlwind and in the storm, And the clouds are the dust of His feet.
4 He rebukes the sea and makes it dry, And dries up all the rivers. Bashan and Carmel wither, And the flower of Lebanon wilts.
5 The mountains quake before Him, The hills melt, And the earth heaves at His presence, Yes, the world and all who dwell in it.
6 Who can stand before His indignation? And who can endure the fierceness of His anger? His fury is poured out like fire, And the rocks are thrown down by Him.
7 The LORD is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him.
8 But with an overflowing flood He will make an utter end of its place, And darkness will pursue His enemies.
From this text, we see many attributes of God. He is powerful. He is also a refuge for those who trust in Him. We also see that He is just and also wrathful to His adversaries. Where do you stand with God? Before we go into this passage further, let's pray.
Opening Prayer
(1)
Intro
Where is Elkosh?
Most likely Galilee.
Note that this prophecy is called a "book of the vision"
- No other prophet has this distinction.
Options:
- This could have been written from an escapee prophet still in the Northern Kingdom area (Galilee), written and sent to the people there.
- This could have been written in Nineveh and just been called a "book" due to the word choice of the author (instead of 'oracle' or 'word' or 'prophecy'). Nahum then would have been a prophet from the Northern Kingdom who was present in Nineveh and prophesying against the ongoing evil in the land.
Nahum's name: "Consolation" or "Comfort"
Who is this oracle about? Nineveh (in Assyrian empire)
Remember Jonah? God showed mercy on the Ninevites.
Even though they had repented in the past, they reverted to their wicked ways again.
Again, the Assyrian nation was known for its cruel torture on its foes.
- Impaling people on sharp poles
- Decapitation
- Taking prisoners away on hooks
- Burning entire cities
Even to the exiled Israelites, it would be a comfort to them to know that God was still watching over them, even though He had allowed and even sent this wicked nation to bring them to ruins.
At the very most, if Nahum were a prophet still living in that area, this would also have been a comfort and hope of the people, though it's less certain.
So what is certain from this passage?
(2)
The LORD is:
Jealous - He will have us serve NO OTHER -- any other idol in His place is by definition FALSE!
Avenging and Wrathful - Indeed, we see much of the 'love' emphasis placed on God. He loves us immeasurably. However, He does not wink at evildoing.
- He stores up wrath
- He has adversaries
Romans 5 - We are 'enemies of God' outside of knowing Jesus
Ephesians 2 - Though we were aliens to grace, we are now brought near by the Blood of Christ!
As we've been discussing the need for evangelism, we need to emphasize that the Gospel message is centered on repentance! We are redeemed by Him because we are found at fault. He isn't merely an extra addition or 'enhancement' to life.
What was Jesus' message when He preached?
"Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand!"
And so we see that there is need to repent. Otherwise, God's wrath remains on us and we are His enemies...
(3)
…yet He is slow to anger (patient)
God desires repentance, which leads to joy.
He is Great in power
Remember Psalm 93? The LORD is Majestic and Mighty!
Powerful and Majestic (illustration of nature's forces -- whirlwind, cloud)
We also see from this verse that He will not clear the guilty (just/fair). We CAN be cleared through the sacrifice of Jesus, though not all will come to repent. It is a very serious matter.
(4)
In control of nature
- He dries up rivers and seas
- Compare with Jesus and the calming of the raging sea
Withers the most fruitful places
- Bashan: Bulls
Bashan had very lush grazing grounds. This led to its cattle and grass-grazers being quite beefy.
- Carmel: Lush Vines (meaning: Plantation, Orchard, Vineyard)
- Lebanon: Cedar and Fragrances
"His coming shall be far more terrible than when all the hearts of the inhabitants of the land did melt. 'Bashan languisheth and Carmel; and the flower of Lebanon languisheth' Joshua 2:11. Bashan was richest in pastures; Carmel, according to its name, in gardens and vineyards; Lebanon, in vines also and fragrant flowers Hosea 14:7; Sol 4:11, but chiefly in the cedar and cypress; it had its name from the whiteness of the snow, which rests on its summit. These mountains then together are emblems of richness, lasting beauty, fruitfulness, loftiness; yet all, even that which by nature is not, in the variety of seasons, wont to fade, dries up and withers before the rebuke of God." - Barnes
(5)
Mountains quake
Hills 'melt'
That which is majestic and powerful in nature is nothing compared to God.
We see in Romans that some worshipped the creation instead of the Creator. We know the creation is amazing, but how much more is the Creator of it all! Even more, He has promised a restored creation without the curse of sin, and that will be revealed at the return of Jesus.
Psalm 93 (first reading) - speaks of the roaring majesty of God!
(6)
The LORD is:
Anger - hot
Wrath - like fire
Rocks - broken
We see another contrast -- here, the anger of the LORD is great, but also…
(7)
The LORD is:
Good
Stronghold (in trouble)
The LORD takes care of those who trust in Him.
(8)
Will completely destroy adversaries.
So what crowd are you part of?
Adversaries:
- The LORD will destroy (1:8)
- The LORD displays anger and wrath (1:6)
Those who trust in Him:
- Slow to anger (1:3)
- A refuge in time of trouble (1:7)
Application
- Follow Jesus! Trust in Him. Be on the side of grace! Just as Nahum states, the LORD will not let the wicked off the hook. Repent before it's too late!
- Deal righteously! The people of Nineveh were upbraided for their conduct, and we should NOT model them! Whatever God gives you, be good stewards, whether it be talent, authority, or even physical goods.
- Worship Him for His amazing power and might. Follow Him with this in mind. Big God, little problems.
Closing Prayer
Bibliography
Barnes' Notes on the Bible: Nahum 1:4. Accessible online at
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
