08/26/2007        

Sunday class: Proverbs 24:23-25

Choruses: A sweet, sweet Spirit; We worship & adore Thee; Gentle Shepherd

Scripture reading: #651       

Vespers: Jesus addresses lawmakers in Luke 11

Wednesday class: Developing a Biblically Consistent World-View

God is slow to anger, but look out.

Nahum 1:2. The LORD is a jealous and avenging God; the LORD takes vengeance and is filled with wrath. The LORD takes vengeance on his foes and maintains his wrath against his enemies.

3. The LORD is slow to anger and great in power; the LORD will not leave the guilty unpunished. His way is in the whirlwind and the storm, and clouds are the dust of his feet.

Other than an allusion to him in Luke, we have nothing to tell us about Nahum than this book. It does contain enough historical references to be able to place its date and place in history within 50 years or so.

In chapter three it referred to the destruction of Thebes. We know historically that that event was about 660 B.C. and it warned Nineveh that it would soon be destroyed – that occurred about 612 B.C.

In all probability Jeremiah was a youngster during the time of Nahum’s prophetic ministry.

This was probably about 150 years after Jonah was preaching in Nineveh, warning them to repent. Nineveh’s repentance didn’t last long…God’s warnings do!

Jonah warned that Nineveh would be utterly and totally destroyed without repentance before God.

Repentance is not an event – it is an attitude; and a way to live. It is the basis of Godly humility.

How severe is this vengeance and anger that God has promised…and what is it over? What causes God to be filled with wrath? What was God going to avenge?

How severe is it? Total destruction...

What causes this kind of anger? Oppression of the weak, poor, and defenseless...

What was God going to avenge? Nineveh was making forays into and against Israel and Judah, terrifying and killing and plundering.

God basically said enough is enough.

3. The LORD is slow to anger and great in power; the LORD will not leave the guilty unpunished.

God will – not – let – the – guilty – go - unpunished. God WILL NOT let the guilty go unpunished!

You can plead your case before God when you are treated unjustly!

·        When the disenfranchised are oppressed, God knows.

·        When the poor are treated unjustly, God knows.

·        When the infirm and disabled are slighted, God knows.

·        When women and children and aliens among us are treated inequitably, God knows.

·        When widows and orphans cry out to God, God hears.

·        When the hungry mothers cry out to God on behalf of their starving babies, God hears.

·        When fearful flee the chariots of war, God hears their cries.

And God will – not – let – the – guilty – go - unpunished. God WILL NOT let the guilty go unpunished!

“The Lord is slow to anger and great in power; the Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished.”