Obedience

Obedience

Q: The Lord is a _____ God according to Nahum 1:2.

• a. worthy
• b. mighty
• c. jealous

Nahum, like Jonah, was a prophet to Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian Empire. Years earlier, the people of Nineveh had repented when Jonah gave them God’s message. Now they’d returned to their wicked ways. Manasseh, an ungodly king, ruled the land. He defied God and persecuted God’s people. Nahum told the people of Nineveh that God was angry about their sin. He told them the Assyrian Empire would fall.

Nahum 1:2 says, “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!” God’s jealousy isn’t a selfish jealousy like ours is. He has the right to ask for allegiance from his people. He punishes those who continue in wickedness so they will turn back to him.

On the other hand, God’s mercy and love are a refuge to those who follow him. Nahum 1:7 says, “The LORD is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in him.”

God is a loving God, but he’s also a just God. Much like an earthly father, he expects obedience. He blesses and rewards those who follow him and punishes those who don’t. That may make God sound harsh and uncaring, but he’s not. He gives people second and third chances (and even more after that).

If you disobey your earthly father or another authority figure, you probably face a consequence. If you are obedient, you may earn extra privileges. In the same way, if you obey your heavenly Father, you will be blessed, although it doesn’t guarantee a problem-free life. But he will help you make sense of the tough times. Obedience is always better.

For You

God wants the best for you. The Bible says Jesus came to give us a rich and satisfying life (see John 10:10). If you aren’t experiencing that, look for things in your life that might be keeping God from blessing you.

Answer: c

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!   Nahum 1:2

(The Whole Story: Nahum 1)