God’s Wrath Toward Sin

Background Scripture: Nahum
Lesson Scripture: Nahum 1:1-9; Zephaniah 2:13-15

Introduction

To conclude that God is just a God of mercy and forgiveness when it comes to dealing with sin is presumptuous, foolish, and deceptive. As mankind, we do not always properly restrain our anger or correctly decide when that ungoverned passion will be expressed. On the contrary, God is the complete master of his wrath toward sin. His inflexible justice and anger will be shown when it is right to do so. Even as God shows his love to mankind, his righteous revulsion toward sin is not diminished.

Key Verse

And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee: thou sentest forth thy wrath, which consumed them as stubble (Exod. 15:7).

Lesson Scripture

Studying the Lesson

The city of Nineveh heard the preaching and warning from Jonah and, in fear of God’s judgment, repented of their wickedness. They secured God’s mercy and thereby escaped their impending destruction. “And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not” (Jon. 3:10). Tragically, the great city again fell into sin and ceased to follow the God of heaven and earth. Some 150 years later, they again were judged by God, and punishment was declared this time by the prophet Nahum. Even though God was known to be slow to anger (Nah. 1:3), Nineveh’s doom was now irreversible. Nineveh, an extremely wealthy and strong city, was to be destroyed and left empty and void. This large city of ambition was to fall unpitied and uncomforted. The enemy was to spoil Nineveh and carry off their goods without opposition. Jonah carried a message of hope to Nineveh; Nahum proclaimed a message of doom. This was to be the tragic end of proud Nineveh. For thousands of years, archaeologists were not able to find the slightest trace of Nineveh, so complete was its destruction.

Nineveh was the capital of the Assyrian Empire. It is believed to be founded by Nimrod shortly after the flood (Gen. 10:11-12). By the time of this lesson, Nineveh had risen to a world power and had systematically conquered other nations, eventually turning to the land of Israel. God sent Jonah to Nineveh to turn it aside from its brutal path of conquest. At the time of Nahum’s prophecy, Nineveh was a queen city among nations, mighty and cruel beyond imagination. Within about twenty years after Nahum’s prediction, an army of Babylonians and Medes closed in on Nineveh. After a siege of two years, this vile city passed into oblivion. Nahum’s prophecy came to pass as it was given.

Practical Truths for Today

God’s wrath toward sin has its cause in Satan’s pride and exaltation. The corruption, havoc, and devastation ultimately unleashed on God’s creation by the devil’s designs against God has forever fixed the great divide between good and evil. Satan, in his contest with God’s supreme authority, has incurred God’s eternal displeasure. Satan’s injustice to God is found in his subtlety and theft of the pure hearts of Adam and Eve, which occasioned the fall of mankind for all generations. The great gulf between God and man was fixed, evil ensued upon the world, and the prince of this world reigns through the corrupted hearts of mankind. God’s law declared vengeance on sin; however, his wrath gave place for the redemption of man when the law would be satisfied and quieted through Christ’s sacrifice. It is “law and love combining” 1 that provides for our deliverance. God’s wrath is not focused on the individual but rather on the devil’s pride and all resulting sin. Satan’s blatant affront to God’s supremacy and perfection is unforgivable, and God has declared Satan’s state to be beyond redemption and without hope.

The Scriptures teach us that a day of judgment is surely coming. “But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men” (2 Pet. 3:7). On that day, God will pour out his wrath without mercy on wickedness, and He shall avenge Himself of all that is against Him. God’s children are often vexed by the wickedness around them and wonder how much longer God will wait until He calls the world into judgment. “Lord, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph?” (Ps. 94:3). Even the departed saints lift their voices: “And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?” (Rev. 6:10). God alone knows this appointed time of judgment. “But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father” (Mark 13:32).

The wrath of God need not cause the Christian to live in fear and suspense of the unknown. It is good to remember God is angry at sin and not toward his creation. However, the knowledge and awareness of his wrath does bring about carefulness in our walk of life. God’s children will give Him the first place in their hearts. There will be a fear of judgment when we stray from Him, creating an urgency in us to return to Him lest we be caught unawares and unprepared for his return. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding” (Prov. 9:10). This proper fear and respect is in the heart of every believing person who has committed his life to Christ and is necessary to live in humility and sincerity.

We see much of mankind living in sin and open wickedness as if they have no fear of God and a total disregard for God’s promised judgment on evil. Christians are called to live separately with Christ yet in the midst of a worldly and ungodly world. We believe this is how it will be until the end of this world. Jesus said, “Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn” (Matt. 13:30). The Christian lives in patience, knowing that one day all evil will be destroyed in God’s wrath, and we shall be gathered into a place of righteousness and peace.

Questions

1. Does sin seem less serious to us today than in former times? If so, why?
2. What might be the answer for sin to become exceedingly sinful to us? (Rom. 7:13).
3. Does God bring punishment upon sin in our lives today? Is his wrath negated by forgiveness?
4. How can we have a good relationship with God and not live in fear of Him?
5. 1 Priscilla J. Owens (1829-1907), “Give Me the Bible,” Christian Hymnal

Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).