Nahum 1.9-2.2: Alternating Judgment and Salvation

I'm currently preaching through the book of Nahum.  The section of 1.9-2.2 can be confusing at a first read since the writer alternates between judgment for Nineveh and salvation for Judah.  Some translations (i.e., NIV) insert the words "Nineveh" and "Judah" to help but these words do not have any basis in the underlying Hebrew text.  In order to facilitate quick understanding and to enable my hearers to follow the sermon I printed up the following which color-codes the text for easy reference.

Nahum 1.9-2.2 (NASB)

(red = judgment against Nineveh; green = salvation for Judah)

^1.9Whatever you devise against the Lord, he will make a complete end of it.  Distress will not rise up twice.

¹⁰Like tangled thorns, and like those who are drunken with their drink, they are consumed as stubble completely withered.

¹¹From you has gone forth one who plotted evil against the Lord, a wicked counselor.

¹²Thus says the Lord, “Though they are at full strength and likewise many, even so, they will be cut off and pass away.  Though I have afflicted you, I will afflict you no longer.

¹³So now, I will break his yoke bar from upon you, and I will tear off your shackles.”

¹⁴The Lord has issued a command concerning you: “Your name will no longer be perpetuated.  I will cut off idol and image from the house of your gods.  I will prepare your grave, for you are contemptible.”

¹⁵Behold, on the mountains the feet of him who brings good news, who announces peace!  Celebrate your feasts, O Judah; pay your vows.  For never again will the wicked one pass through you; he is cut off completely.

^2.1The one who scatters has come up against you.  Man the fortress, watch the road; strengthen your back, summon all your strength.

²For the Lord will restore the splendor of Jacob like the splendor of Israel, even though devastators have devastated them and destroyed their vine branches.

Some Thoughts on Salvation from Romans 3.23-25

The doctrine of salvation is rich and glorious.  It is also deep and worthy of our deepest thought.  In Romans 3.23-25 the apostle Paul in a brief manner speaks of some deep theology regarding our salvation.  Here are his words:

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by his grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in his blood through faith.

The following diagram may help to unpack the details of these truths:

Notice that there are two arrows going out from Christ.  Christ Jesus redeems us—that is, he purchases us from sin by his blood.  Christ also is the propitiation for our sins.  This means that he takes away our sin so that the wrath of God is appeased and that we are no longer the recipients of this wrath.  The arrow from the Father speaks of our justification.  God declares us “not guilty”—a legal verdict—based on the work of Christ.  Of special note is that there are no lines coming from us.  We receive these blessings of salvation by faith—we do nothing to earn them.

The glory of the gospel is what God has done for us in Christ Jesus, his holy Son!  Deep theology deserves deep thinking and deep praise.  Let us rejoice in our grace-given salvation today!

Union with Christ

Years ago I read most of John Murray's little book Redemption: Accomplished and Applied (Eerdmans, 1955)--most, but not all.  It is a great book that I have often gone back to in teaching in order to refresh myself with aspects of salvation.  In one of those weird twists of life I had never finished the book and so I never read chapter 9 entitled "Union with Christ"--that is, until last week.  WOW!  Murray is not known for flowery prose but his unpacking of this truth was simply awesome.  Here are few lines that moved me:

Nothing is more central or basic than union and communion with Christ.  (p. 161)

Apart from union with Christ we cannot view past, present, or future with anything but dismay and Christless dread.  By union with Christ the whole complexion of time and eternity is changed and the people of God may rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.  (p. 165) 

The life of faith is the life of love, and the life of love is the life of fellowship, or mystic communion with him who ever lives to make intercession for his people and who can be touched with the feeling of our infirmities.  It is fellowship with him who has an inexhaustible reservoir of sympathy with his people's temptations, afflictions, and infirmities because he was tempted in all points like as they are, yet without sin.  The life of true faith cannot be that of cold metallic assent.  It must have the passion and warmth of love and communion because communion with God is the crown and apex of true religion.  "Truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ (1 John 1:3).

Union with Christ is the central truth of the whole doctrine of salvation.  (p. 170)

There is no truth, therefore, more suited to impart confidence and strength, comfort and joy in the Lord than this one of union with Christ.  (p. 171).