I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on Nahum and Habakkuk

Assyria was a powerful nation with powerful allies.  The people of Assyria had come to believe that the wealth and power they had acquired was forever theirs and that no one could stand against them.  We know from records elsewhere, and from what Nahum writes here, that they held God in contempt.  Nahum’s prophecy reminds us that despite the apparent power of those standing against God’s people they will fall quickly when God chooses to act.  Remain faithful to God in the face of a world hostile to His will because He will protect those who love Him.

In some ways the Book of Habakkuk is a logical partner to the Book of Nahum.  Nahum speaks of the fall of Assyria, and Habakkuk writes of the rise of Babylon.  Since the latter brought about the fall of Assyria the two prophets fit together well.  However, I want to look at the lessons we can learn from this passage.  And once again I find myself trying to figure out how to summarize what this passage says to me in a post which is shorter than the passage itself.  Habakkuk tells us to be patient when evil seems to be overwhelming what is good and right.  God will bring judgement upon those who do evil and overthrow the oppressor.  Do not be fooled by the appearances of the world.  Just as God raised up Babylon to overthrow Assyria and punish the people of Judah for their sinfulness.  From Jerusalem, Assyria seemed unassailable until the moment they fell to Babylon.  Yet God’s prophets foretold the fall of Assyria.  Once Babylon became powerful, they seemed, at best, no better than Assyria.  They considered themselves to be the measure of what was right, or wrong.  Even there, God told His people to wait patiently.  He would bring about the fall of Babylon as well.  The wicked and arrogant will come to destruction while God will protect and raise up those who are righteous and humble.