(based on Nahum 1-3) Nahum isnt the first prophet of the Lord to visit the Assyrians. The first occurred much earlier - it was Jonah; and, when Jonah preached Assyria repented and retained the blessing of the Lord. Things here are a lot different now! Actually this is 150 years later; and, Zephaniah had had a warning for Assyria too in the meantime. But Nahum asks a very important question: is God the God of history? If He is then what He does to a nation that does not acknowledge Him will important to watch - Nahum is saying this is the end (now) for Nineveh, the great capital of Assyria. In Nahum 1 there is the proclamation; disaster for Assyria and deliverance for everyone under Assyrias iron grip; ...the Lord will take vengeance on His adversaries... (Nah.1:1) being a word for Assyria; and then ...the Lord is good, a stronghold in the days of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him... (Nah.1:7); Gods intention is to liberate those enslaved by Assyria ...for now I will break off his (Assyrias) yoke from you and burst your bonds apart... (Nah.1:13; and then a summation of this proclamation ...O Judah keep your appointed feasts, perform your vows; for the wicked one shall no more pass through you... (Nah.1:15). Then in Nahum 2 there is the description of the invasion of Assyria; it is Babylon! The prophet even describes the colour of the soldiers apparel ...the valiant men are in scarlet... (Nah.2:3) - you should know that red or scarlet was the favourite colour of the Babylonians so it is as if Nahum is watching them come! ...they take the spoil of silver; take the spoil of gold... (Nah.2:9) and all that is left is a ruin which becomes a place for lions ...the feeding place of the young lions; where the lion walked and the lioness and the lions cub... (Nah.2:11); Assyrias ...messengers will be heard no more... (Nah.2:13). Nahum 3 gives Gods explanation of His actions; the city ...is full of lies and roberry; its victim never departs... (Nah.3:1); ...because the multitude of harlotries ...who sells nations through her harlotries and families... (Nah.3:4); now there is no helping Assyria ...your injury has no healing; your wound is severe; all who hear news of you will clap their hands over you... (Nah.3:19). Nineveh today is a desert; it was lost for centuries until discovered in the early 19th century. Nahum himself never left Nineveh and his tomb has been discovered on the west bank of the Tigris. It is revered by the Arabs still. Interestingly too a village was named after him and was still around in Jesus time - Capernaum (Caper - village; Naum - Nahum. It too does not exist now. God is indeed the God of History! He is slow to judge so that no-one might perish. But a Day is coming of accounting will come. We who live the revelation lifestyle do not long for the destruction of people; we do not long for judgement; we pray and serve and give in the hope that everyone may repent and be right with God.
Posted on: Sun, 03 Aug 2014 21:15:36 +0000
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