Our God & King

Too long, please open your Bible Nahum 1: 3-6

Judgment and God’s character

The LORD is slow to anger and great in power, And the LORD will by no means leave the guilty unpunished. Nahum 1:3a

This verse quotes from Exodus 32, when God made a statement about His character to Moses after the golden calf event. This statement on God’s character is referenced at least 20 times within the Bible itself.

The LORD passed in front of him and proclaimed: The LORD—the LORD is a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger and abounding in faithful love and truth, maintaining faithful love to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, rebellion, and sin. But he will not leave the guilty unpunished, bringing the consequences of the fathers’ iniquity on the children and grandchildren to the third and fourth generation. Exodus 32: 6-7

Nahum quotes the part of this statement that pertains to his oracle against Nineveh. Quoting Exodus before the rest of the oracle lets us see that God’s judgement on Nineveh flows from His character.

God’s vengeance is not merely retribution, but a necessary aspect of His faithful character, defending His name, His covenant, and those who trust in Him.

Rider of the cloud

His path is in the whirlwind and storm, and clouds are the dust beneath his feet. Nahum 1:3b

He rebukes the sea and dries it up, and he makes all the rivers run dry. Nahum 1:4a

Ancient Background

In the ancient Near East, particularly among the Canaanites, the storm god Baal was called “the rider on the clouds”. This title reflected Baal’s control over rain, storms, and fertility—a sign of power and supremacy.

The Hebrew Bible intentionally reclaims and repurposes this imagery to assert Yahweh’s superiority over all other gods.

laying the beams of his palace on the waters above, making the clouds his chariot, walking on the wings of the wind Psalm 104:3

He rode on a cherub and flew, soaring on the wings of the wind. Psalm 18:10

Sing to God! Sing praises to his name. Exalt him who rides on the clouds— his name is the LORD—and celebrate before him. Psalm 68:4

There is none like the God of Jeshurun, who rides the heavens to your aid, the clouds in his majesty. Deuteronomy 33:26

A pronouncement concerning Egypt: Look, the LORD rides on a swift cloud and is coming to Egypt. Egypt’s worthless idols will tremble before him, and Egypt will lose heart. Isaiah 19:1

This is polemic theology—the biblical writers are saying, “Yahweh, not Baal, is the true cloud rider.”

The Son of Man

Too long, please open your Bible Daniel 7: 13-14

This passage is crucial. The “Son of Man” rides the clouds (a role exclusively reserved for God) and receives eternal dominion. This is a messianic vision of someone who is both human and divine, bringing God’s rule to earth.

Knowing this, some important parts of the New Testament ring differently.

Too long, please open your Bible Matthew 14: 22-33

We can see that Jesus is not just calming fear—He is revealing Himself as God. He is not merely performing signs because He has faith — He does them because He is God!

Too long, please open your Bible Mark 4: 35-41

Jesus is the glorious divine judge, riding clouds just like Yahweh!

He is coming back

Jesus also affirmed that He was the Son of Man.

Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the peoples of the earth will mourn; and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. Matthew 24:30

Too long, please open your Bible Mark 14: 60-62

In Revelation, our cloud rider features again!

Too long, please open your Bible Revelation 1: 4-8

What we read here isn't just dramatic imagery. It’s a declaration that Jesus is the divine Son of Man from Daniel’s vision, returning in power and glory to set all things right.

Too long, please open your Bible Revelation 14: 14-16

Holding a sharp sickle and gathering the harvest off the earth is not just an end-time symbol; it reveals Jesus’ true identity. The one who walked on the waves, who calmed the storm with a word, is the same one who will return on the clouds to judge with justice and reign in righteousness. He is more than a teacher or miracle-worker. He is the Lord of creation!