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In the book that bears his name, Nahum predicts God's judgment on Nineveh. It was the capital of the seemingly invincible Assyrian Empire, which had first conquered Israel and then forced Judah to pay tribute. Nahum begins, however, by describing the nature of the Judge who'll enforce the sentence.

Nahum 1:2-8

1. Jealousy and revenge-seeking (v. 2) are usually considered negative emotions for humans. Why might this not be so for God?
   
   
2. A German saying goes "No jealousy, no love." In what sense is jealousy the mirror image of love?
   
   
3. Why does God's long fuse (v. 3) not allow people to disregard his requirements?
   
   
4. What is the certain outcome (v. 8) for those who oppose God's rule?
   
   
5. What is the answer to the two rhetorical questions of verse 6?
   
   
6. In this passage about God's wrath, why (v. 7) is God called "good"? Why is God's anger against his enemies a source of reassurance to those who trust him?
   
   
7. In what ways have you found God to be a strong refuge in times of trouble?
   
   

Thank God for his power and justice that will one day conquer all evil. Acknowledge that he deserves your reverent fear as well as your loving trust.

Nahum 1:2-8

2 The Lord is a jealous God,
filled with vengeance and rage.
He takes revenge on all who oppose him
and continues to rage against his enemies!
3 The Lord is slow to get angry, but his power is great,
and he never lets the guilty go unpunished.
He displays his power in the whirlwind and the storm.
The billowing clouds are the dust beneath his feet.
4 At his command the oceans dry up,
and the rivers disappear.
The lush pastures of Bashan and Carmel fade,
and the green forests of Lebanon wither.
5 In his presence the mountains quake,
and the hills melt away;
the earth trembles,
and its people are destroyed.
6 Who can stand before his fierce anger?
Who can survive his burning fury?
His rage blazes forth like fire,
and the mountains crumble to dust in his presence.

7 The Lord is good,
a strong refuge when trouble comes.
He is close to those who trust in him.
8 But he will sweep away his enemies
in an overwhelming flood.
He will pursue his foes
into the darkness of night.

Copyright © 2008 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine.
Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity.

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Prayer for the Week

Deliver me, God, from an easy familiarity that fails to recognize Your overwhelming power and hatred of sin.

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