Our God Rules the Entire World

1
Our God Rules the Entire World

• Because the Bible was written to show the
  fulfillment of Gods promise to Abraham, one can
  falsely conclude that Gods plan and concern was
  only for Israel. (Gen 121-3)

2
Our God Rules the Entire World

• Genesis 121-3 - Now the LORD had said to Abram
  "Get out of your country, From your family And
  from your father's house, To a land that I will
  show you. 2 I will make you a great nation I
  will bless you And make your name great And you
  shall be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who
  bless you, And I will curse him who curses you
  And in you all the families of the earth shall be
  blessed.

3
Our God Rules the Entire World

• While the Old Testament is a history of Israel to
  show Gods fulfillment of the nation and
  land promises, the third promise involves all
  nations.

4
Our God Rules the Entire World

• While the Old Testament is a history of Israel to
  show Gods fulfillment of the nation and
  land promises, the third promise involves all
  nations.
• One can see from the New Testament perspective
  how God was also preparing the nations for the
  coming of His Son.

5
Our God Rules the Entire World

• We see God working righteously to bring down
  nations after they reach a certain point.

6
Our God Rules the Entire World

• Israel could not take the promised land until the
  people of the land had reached a certain degree
  of wickedness. (Gen 1516)

7
Our God Rules the Entire World

• Genesis 1516 - "But in the fourth generation
  they shall return here, for the iniquity of the
  Amorites is not yet complete.

8
Our God Rules the Entire World

• Even with Sodom, God has a righteous standard.
  (Gen 1823-24, 31-32)

9
Our God Rules the Entire World

• Genesis 1823-24 - And Abraham came near and
  said, "Would You also destroy the righteous with
  the wicked? 24 "Suppose there were fifty
  righteous within the city would You also destroy
  the place and not spare it for the fifty
  righteous that were in it?

10
Our God Rules the Entire World

• Genesis 1831-32 - And he said, "Indeed now, I
  have taken it upon myself to speak to the Lord
  Suppose twenty should be found there?" So He
  said, "I will not destroy it for the sake of
  twenty." 32 Then he said, "Let not the Lord be
  angry, and I will speak but once more Suppose
  ten should be found there?" And He said, "I will
  not destroy it for the sake of ten.

11
Our God Rules the Entire World

• We will learn from the Minor Prophets that God
  sent prophets to the pagan nations as well.

12
How does God produce repentance in the pagan
nations?

• He shows them how He works with His people, the
  nation of Israel.

13
How does God produce repentance in the pagan
nations?

• He shows them how He works with His people, the
  nation of Israel.
• God wanted the nations to see Israels punishment
  and their return. (Jer 3110-11)

14
How does God produce repentance in the pagan
nations?

• Jeremiah 3110-11 - " Hear the word of the LORD,
  O nations, And declare it in the isles afar off,
  and say, 'He who scattered Israel will gather
  him, And keep him as a shepherd does his flock.'
  11 For the LORD has redeemed Jacob, And ransomed
  him from the hand of one stronger than he.

15
How does God produce repentance in the pagan
nations?

• The righteous nature of God was something that
  wise Kings and their people would take note of.

16
How does God produce repentance in the pagan
nations?

• The physical judgments God brought upon Israel
  would also help the nations understand that God
  controls the elements. (Ezk 3630)

17
How does God produce repentance in the pagan
nations?

• Ezekiel 3630 - "And I will multiply the fruit
  of your trees and the increase of your fields, so
  that you need never again bear the reproach of
  famine among the nations.

18
How does God produce repentance in the pagan
nations?

• Gods prophets to Israel often gave messages to
  other nations.

19
How does God produce repentance in the pagan
nations?

• Isaiah let the nations know what the God of
  Israel was like! (Isa 4015-18)

20
How does God produce repentance in the pagan
nations?

• Isaiah 4015-18 - Behold, the nations are as a
  drop in a bucket, And are counted as the small
  dust on the scales Look, He lifts up the isles
  as a very little thing. 16 And Lebanon is not
  sufficient to burn, Nor its beasts sufficient for
  a burnt offering. 17 All nations before Him are
  as nothing, And they are counted by Him less than
  nothing and worthless.

21
How does God produce repentance in the pagan
nations?

• 18 To whom then will you liken God? Or what
  likeness will you compare to Him?

22
How does God produce repentance in the pagan
nations?

• Moses knew the nations watched closely when He
  provided Israel victories that they could not
  have won without God. (Num 248-9)

23
How does God produce repentance in the pagan
nations?

• Numbers 248-9 - "God brings him out of Egypt
  He has strength like a wild ox He shall consume
  the nations, his enemies He shall break their
  bones And pierce them with his arrows. 9 'He
  bows down, he lies down as a lion And as a lion,
  who shall rouse him?' "Blessed is he who blesses
  you, And cursed is he who curses you.

24
How does God produce repentance in the pagan
nations?

• What chance would a pagan nation have to really
  respond to the message and examples given by God?
  One of the Minor prophets tell us.

25
The Powerful Message of Jonah to Assyria

• Jonah was a prophet from Galilee in the Northern
  kingdom of Israel. (Jonah 11 2 Kings 1425)

26
The Powerful Message of Jonah to Assyria

• Jonah 11 - Now the word of the LORD came to
  Jonah the son of Amittai, saying,

27
The Powerful Message of Jonah to Assyria

• 2 Kings 1425 - He restored the territory of
  Israel from the entrance of Hamath to the Sea of
  the Arabah, according to the word of the LORD God
  of Israel, which He had spoken through His
  servant Jonah the son of Amittai, the prophet who
  was from Gath Hepher.

28
The Powerful Message of Jonah to Assyria

• Jesus recognized the powerful message that Jonah
  preached. (Mt 1240)

29
The Powerful Message of Jonah to Assyria

• Matthew 1240 - "For as Jonah was three days
  and three nights in the belly of the great fish,
  so will the Son of Man be three days and three
  nights in the heart of the earth.

30
The Powerful Message of Jonah to Assyria

• This occurred in during the reign of Jeroboam II
  of Israel (793-753 BC), this was just
  before the work of Amos and Hosea. (2 Kings 1427)

31
The Powerful Message of Jonah to Assyria

• 2 Kings 1427 - And the LORD did not say that
  He would blot out the name of Israel from under
  heaven but He saved them by the hand of Jeroboam
  the son of Joash.

32
The Powerful Message of Jonah to Assyria

• Some have suggested that two famines in this
  period may have prepared the people to hear
  Jonah.

33
The Powerful Message of Jonah to Assyria

• Some have suggested that two famines in this
  period may have prepared the people to hear
  Jonah.
• The repentance of Nineveh probably occurred in
  the reign of Ashurdan III (773-755 BC). Two
  plagues (765 BC and 759 BC) and a solar eclipse
  (763) may have prepared the people for Jonahs
  message. - Wilkenson and Boa

34
The Powerful Message of Jonah to Assyria

• Jonah knew some things about the nature of God
  and the power of His word.

35
The Powerful Message of Jonah to Assyria

• Jonah knew some things about the nature of God
  and the power of His word.
• Jonah knew that God sees the wickedness of
  Nineveh had reached the point where God would
  take action. (Jonah 12)

36
The Powerful Message of Jonah to Assyria

• Jonah 12 2 "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great
  city, and cry out against it for their
  wickedness has come up before Me.

37
The Powerful Message of Jonah to Assyria

• Jonah also knew that by the very fact God would
  send a prophet would bring the potential for
  repentance and forgiveness. (Jonah 42)

38
The Powerful Message of Jonah to Assyria

• Jonah 42 - So he prayed to the LORD, and said,
  "Ah, LORD, was not this what I said when I was
  still in my country? Therefore I fled previously
  to Tarshish for I know that You are a gracious
  and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in
  lovingkindness, One who relents from doing harm.

39
The Powerful Message of Jonah to Assyria

• Why is it that people who never heard the word of
  God would be more responsive than those who have?
  (Lk 1130-32)

40
The Powerful Message of Jonah to Assyria

• Luke 1130-32 - "For as Jonah became a sign to
  the Ninevites, so also the Son of Man will be to
  this generation. 31 "The queen of the South will
  rise up in the judgment with the men of this
  generation and condemn them, for she came from
  the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of
  Solomon and indeed a greater than Solomon is
  here.

41
The Powerful Message of Jonah to Assyria

• 32 "The men of Nineveh will rise up in the
  judgment with this generation and condemn it, for
  they repented at the preaching of Jonah and
  indeed a greater than Jonah is here.

42
The Powerful Message of Jonah to Assyria

• Jonah knew of the genuine mercy of God for all
  men. (Jonah 411)

43
The Powerful Message of Jonah to Assyria

• Jonah 411 - "And should I not pity Nineveh,
  that great city, in which are more than one
  hundred and twenty thousand persons who cannot
  discern between their right hand and their left
  -- and much livestock?

44
The Powerful Message of Jonah to Assyria

• Lessons from Jonah

45
The Powerful Message of Jonah to Assyria

• Lessons from Jonah
• We should never put our own sense of justice and
  national pride above God.

46
The Powerful Message of Jonah to Assyria

• The word of God is powerful when God is with us!
  (Isa 558-11)

47
The Powerful Message of Jonah to Assyria

• Isaiah 558-11 - " For My thoughts are not your
  thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," says the
  LORD. 9 "For as the heavens are higher than the
  earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And
  My thoughts than your thoughts.

48
The Powerful Message of Jonah to Assyria

• 10 "For as the rain comes down, and the snow from
  heaven, And do not return there, But water the
  earth, And make it bring forth and bud, That it
  may give seed to the sower And bread to the
  eater, 11 So shall My word be that goes forth
  from My mouth It shall not return to Me void,
  But it shall accomplish what I please, And it
  shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

49
The Final Judgment on Assyria by Nahum

• Nahum prophesied just before the destruction of
  Assyria. (612 BC)

50
The Final Judgment on Assyria by Nahum

• Even though Jonah had earlier succeeded in
  finding repentance in Nineveh, this
  generation would not. Gods wrath was imminent.
  (Nahum 21 314, 19).

51
The Final Judgment on Assyria by Nahum

• Nahum 21 - He who scatters has come up before
  your face. Man the fort! Watch the road!
  Strengthen your flanks! Fortify your power
  mightily.

52
The Final Judgment on Assyria by Nahum

• Nahum 314-15 - Draw your water for the siege!
  Fortify your strongholds! Go into the clay and
  tread the mortar! Make strong the brick kiln! 15
  There the fire will devour you, The sword will
  cut you off It will eat you up like a locust.
  Make yourself many -- like the locust! Make
  yourself many -- like the swarming locusts!

53
The Final Judgment on Assyria by Nahum

• Nahum 319 - Your injury has no healing, Your
  wound is severe. All who hear news of you Will
  clap their hands over you, For upon whom has not
  your wickedness passed continually?

54
The Final Judgment on Assyria by Nahum

• We see in this action that Nations will be
  destroyed like iron to pottery when Gods wrath
  is revealed. (Ps 25-12)

55
The Final Judgment on Assyria by Nahum

• Psalm 25-12 - Then He shall speak to them in
  His wrath, And distress them in His deep
  displeasure 6 "Yet I have set My King On My
  holy hill of Zion." 7 "I will declare the
  decree The LORD has said to Me, 'You are My Son,
  Today I have begotten You. 8 Ask of Me, and I
  will give You The nations for Your inheritance,
  And the ends of the earth for Your possession.

56
The Final Judgment on Assyria by Nahum

• 9 You shall break them with a rod of iron You
  shall dash them to pieces like a potter's
  vessel.' " 10 Now therefore, be wise, O kings
  Be instructed, you judges of the earth. 11 Serve
  the LORD with fear, And rejoice with trembling.
  12 Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, And you perish
  in the way, When His wrath is kindled but a
  little. Blessed are all those who put their trust
  in Him.

57
The Final Judgment on Assyria by Nahum

• We learn that no nation or man would ever want to
  see the wrath of God.

58
The Final Judgment on Assyria by Nahum

• We learn that no nation or man would ever want to
  see the wrath of God.
• God is not a man will anger like a brief tempest!

59
The Final Judgment on Assyria by Nahum

• No one will escape the wrath of God. (Nahum
  17-8 35-7)

60
The Final Judgment on Assyria by Nahum

• Nahum 17-8 - The LORD is good, A stronghold in
  the day of trouble And He knows those who trust
  in Him. 8 But with an overflowing flood He will
  make an utter end of its place, And darkness will
  pursue His enemies.

61
The Final Judgment on Assyria by Nahum

• Nahum 35-7 - " Behold, I am against you," says
  the LORD of hosts "I will lift your skirts over
  your face, I will show the nations your
  nakedness, And the kingdoms your shame. 6 I will
  cast abominable filth upon you, Make you vile,
  And make you a spectacle. 7 It shall come to
  pass that all who look upon you Will flee from
  you, and say, 'Nineveh is laid waste! Who will
  bemoan her?' Where shall I seek comforters for
  you?

62
The Final Judgment on Assyria by Nahum

• This ought to make us love the grace of God but
  fear for our nation!

63
Gods Judgment on Edom by Obadiah

• Obadiah was written during a time where a
  conqueror had overcome Israel.

64
Gods Judgment on Edom by Obadiah

• Obadiah was written during a time where a
  conqueror had overcome Israel.
• Edom was a nation that was a descendant of Esau.

65
Gods Judgment on Edom by Obadiah

• Since Jacob and Esau were brothers, and Jacob had
  the promises of Abraham, there were certain
  things God expected of Edom! (Obadiah 11, 9-10)

66
Gods Judgment on Edom by Obadiah

• Obadiah 11 The vision of Obadiah. Thus says the
  Lord GOD concerning Edom (We have heard a report
  from the LORD, And a messenger has been sent
  among the nations, saying, "Arise, and let us
  rise up against her for battle")

67
Gods Judgment on Edom by Obadiah

• Obadiah 19-10 9 Then your mighty men, O Teman,
  shall be dismayed, To the end that everyone from
  the mountains of Esau May be cut off by
  slaughter. 10 " For violence against your
  brother Jacob, Shame shall cover you, And you
  shall be cut off forever.

68
Gods Judgment on Edom by Obadiah

• Edom had become proud, and did not fear God.
  (Obadiah 11-4 Prov 1618)

69
Gods Judgment on Edom by Obadiah

• Obadiah 11-4 The vision of Obadiah. Thus says
  the Lord GOD concerning Edom (We have heard a
  report from the LORD, And a messenger has been
  sent among the nations, saying, "Arise, and let
  us rise up against her for battle") 2 "Behold,
  I will make you small among the nations You
  shall be greatly despised.

70
Gods Judgment on Edom by Obadiah

• 3 The pride of your heart has deceived you, You
  who dwell in the clefts of the rock, Whose
  habitation is high You who say in your heart,
  'Who will bring me down to the ground?' 4 Though
  you ascend as high as the eagle, And though you
  set your nest among the stars, From there I will
  bring you down," says the LORD.

71
Gods Judgment on Edom by Obadiah

• Proverbs 1618 18 Pride goes before
  destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.

72
Gods Judgment on Edom by Obadiah

• When any nation thinks they cannot fall, they
  have become blind.

73
Gods Judgment on Edom by Obadiah

• When any nation thinks they cannot fall, they
  have become blind.
• When a nation loses its fear of God, then its
  morals will vanish.

74
Gods Judgment on Edom by Obadiah

• nation thinks they cannot fall, they have become
  blind.
• When a nation loses its fear of God, then its
  morals will vanish.
• God will hold Edom responsible for celebrating
  evil and even participating in it.
  (Obadiah 111-16)

75
Gods Judgment on Edom by Obadiah

• God will hold Edom responsible for celebrating
  evil and even participating in it.
  (Obadiah 111-16)

76
Gods Judgment on Edom by Obadiah

• Obadiah 111-16 - In the day that you stood on
  the other side -- In the day that strangers
  carried captive his forces, When foreigners
  entered his gates And cast lots for Jerusalem --
  Even you were as one of them.

77
Gods Judgment on Edom by Obadiah

• 12 But you should not have gazed on the day of
  your brother In the day of his captivity Nor
  should you have rejoiced over the children of
  Judah In the day of their destruction Nor should
  you have spoken proudly In the day of distress.

78
Gods Judgment on Edom by Obadiah

• 13 You should not have entered the gate of My
  people In the day of their calamity. Indeed, you
  should not have gazed on their affliction In the
  day of their calamity, Nor laid hands on their
  substance In the day of their calamity. 14 You
  should not have stood at the crossroads To cut
  off those among them who escaped Nor should you
  have delivered up those among them who remained
  In the day of distress.

79
Gods Judgment on Edom by Obadiah

• 15 " For the day of the LORD upon all the nations
  is near As you have done, it shall be done to
  you Your reprisal shall return upon your own
  head. 16 For as you drank on my holy mountain,
  So shall all the nations drink continually Yes,
  they shall drink, and swallow, And they shall be
  as though they had never been.

80
Gods Judgment on Edom by Obadiah

• We must always be a people of mercy and never
  should we rejoice in evil.

81
Gods Judgment on Edom by Obadiah

• God will hold us accountable for our attitudes
  and our actions!

82
Gods Judgment on Edom by Obadiah

• Questions to Consider

83
Gods Judgment on Edom by Obadiah

• Questions to Consider
• 1. How do we know that God is involved in every
  nation?

84
Gods Judgment on Edom by Obadiah

• Questions to Consider
• 1. How do we know that God is involved in every
  nation?
• 2. Discuss how God brought Nineveh to repentance?

85
Gods Judgment on Edom by Obadiah

• Questions to Consider
• 1. How do we know that God is involved in every
  nation?
• 2. Discuss how God brought Nineveh to repentance?
• 3. How can national pride destroy a nation?

86
Gods Judgment on Edom by Obadiah

• 4. List some characteristics of the wrath of God.

87
Gods Judgment on Edom by Obadiah

• 4. List some characteristics of the wrath of God.
  
• 5. What does God think about lost people who have
  no guidance?

88
Gods Judgment on Edom by Obadiah

• 4. List some characteristics of the wrath of God.
  
• 5. What does God think about lost people who have
  no guidance?
• 6. How can we be guilty of celebrating over evil
  to another?