Nahum 1:1-15
1 An oracle concerning Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum of Elkosh.
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. 3 The LORD is slow to anger and great in power, and the LORD will by no means clear the guilty. His way is in whirlwind and storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet. 4 He rebukes the sea and makes it dry; he dries up all the rivers; Bashan and Carmel wither; the bloom of Lebanon withers. 5 The mountains quake before him; the hills melt; the earth heaves before him, the world and all who dwell in it.
6 Who can stand before his indignation? Who can endure the heat of his anger? His wrath is poured out like fire, and the rocks are broken into pieces by him. 7 The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him. 8 But with an overflowing flood he will make a complete end of the adversaries, and will pursue his enemies into darkness. 9 What do you plot against the LORD? He will make a complete end; trouble will not rise up a second time. 10 For they are like entangled thorns, like drunkards as they drink; they are consumed like stubble fully dried. 11 From you came one who plotted evil against the LORD, a worthless counselor.
12 Thus says the LORD, “Though they are at full strength and many, they will be cut down and pass away. Though I have afflicted you, I will afflict you no more. 13 And now I will break his yoke from off you and will burst your bonds apart.”
14 The LORD has given commandment about you: “No more shall your name be perpetuated; from the house of your gods I will cut off the carved image and the metal image. I will make your grave, for you are vile.”
15 Behold, upon the mountains, the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace! Keep your feasts, O Judah; fulfill your vows, for never again shall the worthless pass through you; he is utterly cut off.
Main Idea
God is a God of Wrath because He is loving, just, and good.
Outline
1. God has wrath because God is loving (Nahum 1:1-8)
2. God has wrath because God is just (Nahum 1:9-11)
3. God has wrath because God is good (Nahum 1:12-15)
Discussion Questions
Opening Questions
What thoughts or images come to mind when you hear the word “wrath?”
What negative opinions have you heard from others about the idea of God being “wrathful?”
God has wrath because God is loving (Nahum 1:1-8)
How do you see love and wrath being related?
When was a time you had to fight for someone or something you loved?
God has wrath because God is just (Nahum 1:9-11)
What is a present evil in our world that you long to see God pour out his wrath on?
What evils do you see in our world today that should upset you more than they do? Why do you think you have become numb towards them?
God has wrath because God is good (Nahum 1:12-15)
When was a time in your life where you encountered God’s goodness through his discipline?
What are some of the ways you could take conversations about the evil in the world and use them to talk about God’s love, justice, and goodness shown in his wrath?
God’s patience delays judgment, but God’s justice demands it.
What are some ways you have seen God’s plan worked out for your family over generations?
God’s wrath has been fully answered, not in Assyria, but in the Savior.
Why do you think Christians don’t spend more time dwelling on the wrath of God, especially as it relates to the wrath we deserved being poured out on Jesus in our place?
Looking Forward
In the upcoming days and weeks, what is something you can commit to in order to remind yourself daily to be grateful for Jesus taking God’s wrath in your place?
Prayer Focus
Pray for…
The people of Peace Church to always take in the fullness of Scriptures, even the hard and ignored parts.
The members of your community group to be able to walk through a challenging series with grace, patience, and courage.
The lost to be open to learning more about the importance of God’s wrath, both the justice it brings to evil and the wrath that is in store for those who do not receive the grace of God through faith in Jesus.
All Christians to be bold as we stand against evil in our world, even when it is within our own “camp.”
Pastor Ryan as he preaches through this challenging book that many struggle to understand and receive.
Yourself to better understand and live in light of the truth that God is a God of wrath because he is loving, just, and good.