Nahum’s Confidence in God

The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him, but with an overwhelming flood He will make an end to Nineveh; He will pursue his foes into darkness. (Nahum 1:7,8 NIV)

Nineveh?

Wait! The reluctant prophet, Jonah, delivered God’s message for Nineveh. They were to repent from wickedness or in forty days, Nineveh would be overturned. God saw the greatest to the least of them change their ways. The King of Nineveh urged all to call on God, turn from their evil ways and violence. Moved with compassion, God did not bring destruction, they were spared. Nahum would be the next prophet sent.

Nahum’s prediction

Nineveh, capital city of Assyria, represented raw-brutal power. They dominated in the Middle East close to 300 years. Israel had been defeated by Assyria, taken into exile. Judah escaped yet had to pay tribute as a vassal state. Now, Nahum predicts the downfall of the most powerful nation in the world. Nineveh returned to evil practices. Nahum described Nineveh as a pool losing water. There were plots against the Lord. Strong allies would be cut off, carved images and cast idols would be destroyed.  God’s wrath upon them, poured out like fire. Nineveh was destroyed to never rise again. The greatest city became a pile of rubble. This site is known as “the mound of many sheep.”

Compare/Contrast

Since World War II, United States of America has been seen as the most powerful nation in the World. Our currency is the World’s reserve currency. Where we have a clear contrast, United States has not shown cruelty. We have given more foreign aid than any nation. Our military has been dominant in not only protecting our freedom yet assisting to provide freedom for other nations. We compare with a growing number indifferent to sin. The grown sense of idol worship/false gods/graven images is alarming. Wickedness is recognized as acceptance. We have reason to be concerned. We do not want our nation to have the same fate as Nineveh.

Confidence in God

Nahum set a strong example for us not to be intimidated. His confidence was in a far greater power, the power of God. We serve the same God today. God’s wrath may be an unfamiliar thought. God is love yet can be moved to wrath. Nahum writes, 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 maintains his wrath against His enemies. (Nahum 1:2 NIV)

Good news

The good news for many, we are neither a foe nor an enemy. God is our refuge in time of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him. With God’s vengeance against Nineveh, Judah was told to celebrate. They were told the wicked would no longer invade them. See, the world saw Judah as weak, struggling to keep their independence. God’s vision was different. Let’s pray for each of our nations to call on Jesus and turn from evil. It is time to end violence.

Be encouraged!  (Friday’s blog will have a great conclusion!)