Scripture: Jonah 3:1-10

C.I.: Nahum: When a Nation Squanders Its Last Chance

In our series on the Minor Prophets – we saw that the Book of Jonah shows – “The God of the 2nd Chance.”.
The people repented at Jonah’s preaching - but sadly, the repentance of that day was forgotten.
The people had returned to their wickedness. – Judgment!
Today we will see how God’s judgment upon Nineveh – is comparable to His judgment upon the world!

I. God’s Judgment Against Nineveh & The End of the World (Nahum)

A. The Two-Fold Cause of God’s Judgment upon the Assyrians

1. Because of their wrong treatment of God – IDOLATRY
a. (1:2), “A jealous and avenging God is the Lord; - the Lord is avenging and wrathful, the Lord takes vengeance on His adversaries, - and He reserves wrath for His enemies.”
1) In Jonah’s day (4:2) – when the people repented – even he saw, “You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness – and one who relents…”
2) So what was it that made God so angry?! - (1:14), “The Lord has issued a command concerning you: your name will no longer be perpetuated. – I will cut off your idol and image from the house of your gods. – I will prepare your grave, for you are contemptible.”
b. Idolatry = “Anything that comes between us and God – becomes our god!”
1) School – friends – jobs – family – recreation – sin – etc. / Idols are all around us.
2) The people in Jonah’s day got it right, (Rom. 2:4) – But in Nahum’s day – wrath, (Rom. 2:5).

2. Because of their wrong treatment of others – INHUMANITY
a. (3:1), “Woe to the bloody city, completely full of lies & pillage; - her prey never departs.”
1) The horrors of the Assyrian Empire– was a forerunner of the present day Al-Qaeda.
2) Quote from Townsend’s book, p. 57.
b. “What goes around comes around”… (Matt. 7:2b; Gal. 6:7).

3. The Assyrians violated God’s greatest eternal commandment – (Mk. 12:30-31).
a. God will not allow any to go unpunished who do not treat Him & others – as He has commanded.

B. The Way of God’s Judgment

1. God’s Judgment is Deserved
a. (3:19), “There is no relief for your destruction, - your wound is incurable. – All who hear about you will clap their hands over you, - for on whom has not your evil passed continually?”
1) We look around us today at the evil in the world – and wonder how God could allow it.
2) (Rev. 6:9-11), “I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God, - and because of the testimony they had maintained; - and they cried out with a loud voice, ‘How long O Lord, holy and true, how long will You refrain from judging and avenging our blood on those who dwell upon the earth?’ – And they were told to rest a little while longer - until the number of their fellow servants & brethren who were killed – even as they had been, should be complete also.”

b. When the day of God’s judgment does come – notice a reason for it – is because it is deserved.
1) (II Thess. 1:6-7a), “After all it is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you & to give relief to you as well – when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven….”
2) When God says “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” (Rom. 12:19) He means it!!

2. God’s Judgment is Inescapable
a. (3:8-10), “Are you better than Thebes, which was situated by the Nile, with water surrounding her, whose rampart was the sea, whose wall consisted of the sea? – Ethiopia was her might, and Egypt too without limits. – Put and Lubim were among her allies. – Yet she became an exile, she went into captivity; also her small children were dashed to pieces at the head of every street; - they cast lots for her honorable men, - and all her great men were bound in fetters.”
1) God uses the example of Thebes – to show the Assyrians His judgment was inescapable.
2) (Quote Rom. 15:4; I Cor. 10:11), “Whatever was written in earlier times…” – “Now these things happened to them as an example, - and they were written for our instruction.”
b. The same will be true when Jesus returns in judgment upon the world.
1) (Rev. 6:15-17), “And the kings of the earth & the great men & commanders & the rich & the strong & every slave and freeman, - hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, - & they said to the rocks and the mountains, fall on us and hide us from Him who sits on the throne, & from the wrath of the Lamb; - for the great day of their wrath has come; and who is able to stand?’”
2) Man’s sin doesn’t escape God’s notice – so he won’t escape God’s Judgment – (Matt. 12:36; 10:26), “Every careless word that men shall speak, - they shall render an account for….” – “There is nothing hidden that will not be revealed, nothing covered that will not be known.”

3. God’s Judgment is Terrible
a. (3:5-6), “‘Behold, I am against you,’ declares the Lord of hosts; ‘And I will lift up your skirts over your face, and show the nations your nakedness – and to the kingdoms your disgrace. – I will throw filth on you and make you vile.’”
1) Have you ever had that dream where you are at school/work - & realize you forgot something
2) Feels aweful, huh?! – God is telling them – He will do something to them even worse!!!
b. But compared to the judgment God will bring upon this earth – that is nothing in comparison!
1) (II Thess. 1:7-9), “…when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His might angels in flaming fire, dealing out retribution to those who do not know God & those who…”
2) (Matt. 13:40-42), “…so shall it be at the end of the age. – The Son of Man shall send forth His angels, - and they will gather out of His kingdom all stumbling blocks, and those who commit lawlessness, - and will cast them into the furnace of fire; in that place there shall be..”
3) (II Pt. 3:10), “The day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will….”

C. God’s Encouragement Until Then

1. For Believers: God lets us know that we are not forgotten in these difficult days in which we live!
a. (1:7), “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble, and He knows those who take refuge
1) Though difficulties come – and it appears hope is lost – we can always turn to our rock – Jesus

2. For Non-Believer: God is declaring good news – until that day when you’ve used your last chance!
a. (1:15), “Behold, on the mountains the feet of him who brings good news, who announces peace!”
1) The first time Jesus came – He came as a Savior - (Jn. 3:16-17).
2) The next time, however, it will be as a Judge – (II Thess. 1:6-7).
b. Thus, now is the time to respond to God’s “good news” & “obey the gospel” (Mk. 16:15-16)!!!