August 4: Nahum 1-3

August 4, Nahum 1-3

Special thanks to Dana Parriera for the help on the last few days of the blog commentary!

Today we get into and read all of Nahum. Nahum was a prophet that heard from God and was told to tell what was going to happen to Nineveh - the capital city of Assyria. As you are aware, Assyria was a godless society bent on sin. Nahum shows us that God is slow to anger, but is not going to look the other way for those who deliberately sin against Him. God is Mighty and Gracious, we learn that too. Nineveh was the capital city of a godless society. Additionally, Jonah came and warned the Ninevites that they would be destroyed unless the repented. They did repent - but only for a short time and history shows us that they became much more sinful than they were before they repented. Now it is time for their judgment. We also know though history, that Nineveh was destroyed around 626 BC, so Nahum’s prophecy was correct. 

Nahum is basically about God’s judgment against Assyria. It is harsh, bold & beautiful! 

Nahum 1 We are introduced to Nahum the prophet. God gave him a vision of what was to happen to Nineveh, and it must be told. We learn about the majesty of God. “The Lord is slow to anger and great in power, and the Lord will by no means clear the guilty.”   We really need to grab ahold of what the Lord is saying to us through the prophet, Nahum - see below. Verses 7-8 give us a good summary of the book of Nahum… 

“The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; He knows those who take refuge in him. But with an overflowing flood He will make a complete end of the adversaries, and will pursue his enemies into darkness.” He knows those who are His and seek Him. Those that are not, will not succeed but will be eternally damned. Nineveh will be eventually cut off. They chased and bowed down to idols that they made and God was digging their grave for them.

God promised deliverance for Judah, in spite of their short comings, as they were God’s elect (chosen people). 

Nahum 2 This is the detailed prophecies of Nahum against Assyria/Nineveh. They will be attacked by their enemies while Israel is restored. The battle plans are drawn and established against Nineveh. This included getting the main water access to Nineveh cut off only for the gates to be opened when the water was full to flood the city and have their enemies come in and wipe them out. Their wealth will be plundered. The Lord was against them - there is no getting away from that

Nahum 3 is quite similar to chapter 2 with the details of their destruction. God will uncover their filth and nakedness, because they are against Him. Nahum even seems to taunt them a bit. They will be destroyed.

To sum it all up: 

• The Lord is slow to anger and great in power, and the Lord will by no means clear the guilty.”  This shows us the character of our God and His love for us and His mighty power. Our sins are not to be taken lightly - we are sinning against a Holy God who will not look the other way.
• The Lord was against the Ninevites and there is no way of getting around that. That being said, those that the Lord is for, there is no getting around that either!
• Does this all seem a bit harsh when you read it, or do you read it and see how their sins have contributed to their destruction? I have said this many times, but do you know where you stand with the Lord God Almighty? Is He for you or against you? If you are living for Him and are living your life as a living sacrifice to Him - He is for you. 
• This is the time to know where you are at and where you stand. If you are not living for God Almighty - repent of your sins and come to God through Jesus Christ!