11.02.2025 | Prophets to Judah
Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah
In 1962, superhero fans were introduced to the character of Dr. Bruce Banner, but you probably know him as The Incredible Hulk! Dr. Banner was a shy, quiet physicist who transforms into a raging muscular green giant every time he gets angry. You didn’t want to make Hulk angry because the comic always said, “The madder Hulk gets, the stronger Hulk gets.”
God sent many prophets to Judah to warn them of the consequences for sin. One of those prophets was Nahum. While many prophets spoke of the punishment for sin, Nahum preached a message about God’s patience.
When we read how the prophet Nahum describes God as jealous, avenging, and wrathful, it can make us think God is like The Incredible Hulk—a guy who just gets angry and destroys things. That’s not how God is at all! Nahum also describes God as “slow to anger and great in power.” While God must punish sin, He is patient and desires to show mercy to all who will trust in Him.
God is jealous for our worship because He alone deserves it. He doesn’t want to share His glory with anything else, and He rightly gets angry when He sees people worship anything other than Him. The prophet Nahum reminded God’s people that He will punish sin, but He will bring peace and protection to those who love and worship Him.
God sent prophets to His people to warn them to repent of their sin and turn to God. Jesus gave the same message, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” When we trust in Jesus, we are restored to a right relationship with God and have the hope of eternal life.
