August 30, 2024 | Be God's Light
The Lord's Anger against Nineveh
Scripture: Nahum 1(NIV)
1 A prophecy concerning Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.
2 The Lord is a jealous and avenging God;
the Lord takes vengeance and is filled with wrath.
The Lord takes vengeance on his foes
and vents his wrath against his enemies.
3 The Lord is slow to anger but great in power;
the Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished.
His way is in the whirlwind and the storm,
and clouds are the dust of his feet.
4 He rebukes the sea and dries it up;
he makes all the rivers run dry.
Bashan and Carmel wither
and the blossoms of Lebanon fade.
5 The mountains quake before him
and the hills melt away.
The earth trembles at his presence,
the world and all who live in it.
6 Who can withstand his indignation?
Who can endure his fierce anger?
His wrath is poured out like fire;
the rocks are shattered before him.
7 The Lord is good,
a refuge in times of trouble.
He cares for those who trust in him,
8 but with an overwhelming flood
he will make an end of Nineveh;
he will pursue his foes into the realm of darkness.
9 Whatever they plot against the Lord
he will bring to an end;
trouble will not come a second time.
10 They will be entangled among thorns
and drunk from their wine;
they will be consumed like dry stubble.
11 From you, Nineveh, has one come forth
who plots evil against the Lord
and devises wicked plans.
12 This is what the Lord says:
“Although they have allies and are numerous,
they will be destroyed and pass away.
Although I have afflicted you, Judah,
I will afflict you no more.
13 Now I will break their yoke from your neck
and tear your shackles away.”
14 The Lord has given a command concerning you, Nineveh:
“You will have no descendants to bear your name.
I will destroy the images and idols
that are in the temple of your gods.
I will prepare your grave,
for you are vile.”
15 Look, there on the mountains,
the feet of one who brings good news,
who proclaims peace!
Celebrate your festivals, Judah,
and fulfill your vows.
No more will the wicked invade you;
they will be completely destroyed.
Devotional
Nahum prophesied in the middle of Manasseh’s reign in Judah. Recall that Assyria attacked Jerusalem and took Manasseh as prisoner to Babylon before returning him to finish out his time as king. Even so, Assyria remained a huge threat to the existence of the Jews in the Promised Land.
But Nahum said not so fast, Assyria. His three-chapter prophesy is a judgment on the nation, headquartered in the city of Ninevah. Here’s the overview:
Nahum 1 – The Lord is angry with Ninevah.
Nahum 2 – Ninevah and the Assyrian empire will fall.
Nahum 3 – Woe to the city and people of Ninevah.
Over a hundred years earlier the prophet Jonah reluctantly went to Ninevah and warned the people to repent or be overthrown. When Jonah’s message reached the king of Ninevah, he issued a proclamation telling his citizens, “Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence. Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish” (Jonah 3:8-9).
But alas, the repentance did not last. The Assyrians resumed their treacherous ways. They had already conquered the northern kingdom of Israel, repopulating Samaria with foreigners with idolatrous practices. Now they were threatening to do the same to the southern kingdom of Judah.
How would Nahum’s message have been a comfort to the people of Judah? How might it have been seen by the rulers and warriors of Assyria?
About fifty years after Nahum’s words, his prophecy came true. The Assyrians were overthrown by the Babylonian Empire, which became the new world power. It was the Babylonians who would conquer Judah and destroy Jerusalem shortly after that.
The message in Nahum 1:3 says, “The Lord is slow to anger but great in power; the Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished.” This should have been heeded by both the Assyrians and the Jews. Neither paid attention. Both paid the price.
Are there any warnings that the Lord is giving to you? What Scriptures are a shot across the bow of your life? Do you have any family, friends, or fellow believers who are speaking words of truth into you? Will you pay attention?
Poem
Nahum
How do you feel when you hear of God’s wrath?
This bold jealous God with a vengeance dust path?
Does it cause you to quake as the mountains do crumble?
Does your soul violent shake when recounting your stumble?
When God’s power is preached, do you cheer or faint shrink?
Does the coming of God cause your soul mind to think?
Does the judgment of God bring you comfort or fear?
Do you keep your lamps trimmed as the Lord’s day comes near?
