Nahum 1-3 -- Jealousy, Vengeance, And Anger From God

This book starts out, “The Lord is a jealous God who punishes; the Lord punishes and is filled with anger.  The Lord punishes those who are against Him, and He stays angry with His enemies.”

It’s very easy to say, “Something’s not right here!  God is love.  My God wouldn’t do that!  I wouldn’t want Him being that way with me!”  My commentary helped me see that what is written in the Bible is both true and good.  Jealousy, vengeance, and anger are good parts of God’s character, and here’s why:

“Jealousy is a sin if it means being envious of what others have and wanting to possess it, but it’s a virtue if it means cherishing what we have and wanting to protect it … when you are jealous over someone you love, you’re zealous to protect the relationship.  Since God made everything and owns everything, He is envious of no one, but since He is the only true God, He is jealous over His glory, His name, and the worship and honor that are due to Him alone … He will not share His people with false gods … God’s jealous love burned against Nineveh’s pride and willful breaking of His law.”

“In Scripture, vengeance is usually presented as a sin … But a holy God cannot see people flouting His law and do nothing about it … When God takes vengeance by judging people, it’s because He is a holy God and is jealous (zealous) for His holy Law.”

“God’s anger isn’t like human anger, which can be selfish and out of control.  His is a holy anger, a righteous indignation against all that defies His authority and disobeys His law.  God’s people ought to exercise a holy anger against sin … Nahum invites us (as Paul put it) to ‘consider the goodness and severity of God.’”

Psalm 115:8 says that people become like the god they worship, for what we believe determines how we behave.

Father, forgive me for backing up as I first read this, wondering if Nahum was ascribing traits to You that were unkind at best.  Had I truly known Nineveh’s sin, I would never have wondered.  You are good, and that goodness includes jealousy, vengeance, and anger for those who disobey Your laws and defy Your authority – even me.  Help me to always agree with You and Your Word.

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford