God's on our side, but not theirs.

Nahum 1:1-13

Imagine this:

After the terrorist attack on the U.S. twin towers, the most well-known pastor in America gets on international television and says this:

"The Lord is a jealous God, filled with vengeance and wrath. He takes revenge on all who oppose him and furiously destroys his enemies! The Lord is slow to get angry, but his power is great, and he never lets the guilty go unpunished. He displays his power in the whirlwind and the storm. The billowing clouds are the dust beneath his feet. At his command the oceans and rivers dry up, the lush pastures of Korangai Valley fade, and the green forests of Badakhshan wilt. In his presence the mountains quake, and the hills melt away; the earth trembles, and its people are destroyed. Who can stand before his fierce anger? Who can survive his burning fury? His rage blazes forth like bombs, and the mountains crumble to dust in his presence.

The Lord is good. When trouble comes, he is a strong refuge. And he knows everyone who trusts in him. But he sweeps away his enemies in an overwhelming flood. He pursues his foes into the darkness of the night.

Why are you scheming against the Lord? He will destroy you with one blow; he won't need to strike twice! His enemies, tangled up like thorns, staggering like drunks, will be burned like dry straw in a field. Who is this leader of yours who dares to plot evil against the Lord?

This is what the Lord says: 'Even though al-Qaeda has many allies, they will be destroyed and disappear. O my people, I have already punished you once, and I will not do it again. Now I will break your chains and release you from al-Qaeda oppression.'

And this is what the Lord says concerning al-Qaeda in Afghanistan: 'You will have no more children to carry on your name. I will destroy all the idols in the temples of your gods. I am preparing a grave for you because your are despicable and don't deserve to live!'

As you watched the breaking news on CNN, what emotions would well up within you? Would you feel like a sense of relief? Would you feel like God had your country's back? Would you feel that after the horror that your country had been through, God would avenge the atrocities? Would you feel like God took the form of soldiers and tanks and guns and bombs to seek retribution?

This is the context we find today's passage in. Assyria has invaded Israel, is oppressing Israel, and the capital city has been destroyed. Israel's back is against the wall, and hope is fleeting fast. It is believed that God has chosen Israel as his holy, set apart people, but where is he? Where has he run off to? 

The country needs a spokesperson - someone who can put into words what no one else can. Someone who can well up the emotions of the people, someone who can speak about God in a way that speaks into their situation. 

The thought of a wrathful, avenging, and fearful God works perfectly when you're country has just been attacked. The thought that the oppressed side has done no wrong ever, but that the Assyrians have done all the wrong in the world is what the speaker wants the audience to hear. 

Who wouldn't listen to this, and feel like some sort of revenge was happening? Who wouldn't want a God who would fight, and throw fire, and kill off family lines of the enemy after your people have endured years of oppression and exile?