Our God: Jealous, Yet Patient

Day 203: Nahum 1-3

The book of Nahum is about Nineveh. The same city that Jonah went to preach the message of judgment and redemption against. And here, the prophet Nahum, devotes an entire book to giving a prophecy against this wicked, evil city. He tells them how God is angry at them, "against" them.

What strikes me about this short book is the description Nahum provides of God. Here is what he says: 

The LORD is a jealous and avenging God;
       the LORD takes vengeance and is filled with wrath.
       The LORD takes vengeance on his foes
       and vents his wrath against his enemies.
The LORD is slow to anger but great in power;
       the LORD will not leave the guilty unpunished.
       His way is in the whirlwind and the storm,
       and clouds are the dust of his feet.

God is jealous; he will seek revenge. He is avenging and powerful. Yet in spite of this immense power, he is also "slow to anger." Although the entire book of Nahum details the demise of Nineveh, we know from the book of Jonah that God ultimately saves Nineveh. His compassion and patience win out over destruction. Yes, God is jealous. He wants us all to himself. Yet he's also patient with us. He gives us a lot of chances. What a mighty God we serve!

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About Kara

I am Kara Poe Alexander. I began this blog to read the Bible anew, with fresh eyes and an open mind. I hope to grow closer to God, to learn how these ancient stories are still relevant today, and to develop a spiritual discipline of Bible study.