When a defendant stands before a judge, he or she is at the mercy of the court. If the defendant is innocent, the court should be a haven. But if the defendant is guilty, we expect the court to exact punishment.
In Nahum, we see God as both a refuge and a judge. It says, “The Lord is good (to those who hope in Him), a haven in times of trouble” (1:7). But it also says, “He will make an end of her place (understood as the city of Nineveh); and chases His enemies into darkness” (v.8). Over 100 years earlier, Nineveh had repented after Jonah preached God’s forgiveness, and the land was safe (Jonah 3:10). But during Nahum’s day, Nineveh was plotting “evil against the Lord” (Nah. 1:11). In chapter 3, Nahum details Nineveh’s destruction.
Many people know only one side of God’s dealings with the human race but not the other. They think that He is holy and wants only to punish us, or that He is merciful and wants only to show kindness. In truth, He is both a judge and a haven. On Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur we recite the piyyut, religious poem, L’eyl Oreych Din which proclaims that God “decides righteously on the Day of Judgment but also who bestows mercy on the Day of Judgment.”
The whole truth about God comforts us as we seek atonement on Yom Kippur! He is judge, but because of his love and compassion for us He is also our safe haven when we return to Him. There is no better time to approach God in repentance than Shabbat Shuvah and Yom Kippur.
Shabbat
Shalom and have an easy fast,
No comments:
Post a Comment