Unfathomable Grace

Context

In the days of Jonah, Nineveh became famous for their spiritual idolatry, neighborly abuse, and political power. They had been granted a good run by the Ruler of the universe. They ate up the nations around them. They defeated, dominated, and decimated the northern kingdom of Israel in 722 BC. The Assyrians appeared to be an unstoppable and unrelenting kingdom of darkness.

In the days of Jonah, Nineveh became famous for the mercy and grace shown to them by their Heavenly Sovereign. God saw their sin; they stood condemned. However, God also sent a reluctant prophet their way, and with Jonah also came the Spirit of revival. Nineveh repented. God relented, and the judicial decree of the Lord was put on hold. Nineveh was granted a stay of execution. God did not treat them as they deserved.

However, more than a century later, the Ninevites have now returned to their former ways. They refuse to love God, learn his ways, and worship well. Repentance is not their continued practice. With even greater zeal, they have become famous for their pagan practices.

Sadly, the same debauchery is found in those living in the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. One might like to think they are different than the Ninevites, but one would be wrong. Northern Israel has already chosen to be idolatrous and incorrigible. It is for this reason that the Lord allows Assyria to have their way with God’s children. (722 BC) Now, tragically, Judah is following in their northern brother’s footsteps.

Into this situation, God sends another set of prophets. These preachers include Habakkuk, Zephaniah, and Nahum. Nahum’s vision and sermon is three chapters in length, and it is filled with the fury of the Lord.

Consider the Furious Holiness of God

Oh, how the Lord furiously loves goodness and righteousness. He delights in that which is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and praise worthy. (Phil. 4:8-9) Consequently, he furiously despises evil in whatever form it may be found. Righteous indignation flows from his holy and furious affections.

Consider the Furious Judgment of God

In Nahum 1:2-3, the prophet declares, “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. The Lord is slow to anger and great in power, and the Lord will by no means clear the guilty.” White-hot, vengeful fury is promised for his adversaries or enemies. As previously mentioned, Jewish enemies have already experienced his furious judgment. Now, the day of reckoning is drawing near for the godless Assyrians. Verse after verse describe the furious judgment of the Holy Judge. When he moves flexes his muscle, no one can stay his hand. He will come upon his adversaries like a horrible famines, a wild hurricane, a terrorizing earthquake, or an unquenchable fire. No one will be left standing. No one will be able to endure the heat of his anger. He will consume his enemies and make a complete end of them. In grossly picturesque language God promises, “Behold, I am against you, declares the Lord of hosts, and will lift up your skirts over your face; and I will make nations look at your nakedness and kingdoms at your shame. I will throw filth at you and treat you with contempt and make you a spectacle. And all who look at you will shrink from you ….” (3:5-7)

Consider the Furious Jealousy of God

God makes all men in his image. He loves the world. He loves his creation. He loves his neighbors. He loves sinners. He loves his enemies.

However, God has a special covenantal, saving, and sacrificial affection for his chosen people, elect family, or betrothed bride. He is furiously committed to the relationship. He is furiously committed to his church’s reclamation, maturation, beauty, and ultimate well-being.

Therefore, in the middle of this hard-hitting sermon, good news is promised.

The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him … Behold, upon the mountains, the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace! Keep your feasts, O Judah; fulfill you vows, for never again shall the worthless pass through you; he is utterly cut off.

Nahum 1:7, 15

Despite the spiritual harlotry of Judah, despite their likeness to Assyria, God will not leave them be. Towards his betrothed bride he is good, he is her stronghold in the day of trouble, he will maritally “know” all who take refuge from the storm in him. From the mountains, good news is coming from a “him.” Peace is to be proclaimed and published abroad. Responsive worship is reasonable as the “worthless” is utterly cast off.

Oh friends, how can this be? How can the holy, holy, holy God who hates evil and promises to “by no means clear the guilty” (1:3), how can this unchangeable God clear the guilty?

Consider the Furious Self-Sacrifice of God

God so loved the world.

God sent God into the world.

God added to himself a human soul and body. God became man.

God took upon himself the guilt of his betrothed bride. He, who knew no sin, became sin for his people.

God sacrificed the God-man. The Father furiously poured out his righteous indignation on the Son who willingly drank the cup of wrath. Jesus Christ was treated as a pagan Ninevite abuser. He was treated as a prodigal Israelite whore. The Son was treated as an “adversary, and enemy, or worthless one” in order that his beloved bride might be treated like him.

Conclusion of the Matter

Let us humble ourselves and confess our sin and transgressions. Our sin-lists may look different than the pagan Ninevites about us, but our record is no better. They are the damned immoral; we are the damned moral. We may externally look prettier, but all of us have sinned and fallen short of God’s glorious expectations. We are not the good people!

Let us hear afresh the wonderful grace of Jesus; that which is greater than all our sins. Even though we have been faithless in our marital contract, God has been faithful in his marital covenant. For all who are united to the Son, it is true, “There is now no condemnation.” (Romans 8:1) Hear now the “good news” of the one with pierced feet. He is the one “publishing peace.” He is not angry. He is filled with furious affection for you. Oh friends, what wondrous love is this?

Let us be freshly filled with furious affection for him. We have a good reason to worship. Let’s gather together and feast. (1:15) Let’s make vows, remember them, and eagerly endeavor to keep them.

Finally, let us be consumed with furious affection for our neighbors. We do not deserve God’s mercy and grace; neither do they. All of us deserve the holy indignation and condemnation of the Righteous Judge. However, Christ is not yet done saving many who are “adversaries, enemies, and worthless.” Therefore, in his name and with his Spirit, let’s tell the Assyrians, Israelites, and Judeans around us of Jesus’ furious self-sacrifice and salvation. Let’s use our feet and our mouths and publish Christ’s good news — to ourselves and our neighbors.