Tag Archives: Nahum

Daily Bible Study

September 27, 2024 Bible Study — God Has Sent His Messenger to Bring Good News

Today, I am reading and commenting on  Nahum and Habakkuk.

As I read through the Old Testament prophets I see many prophecies of God’s judgement upon His people for their sins.  I see many prophecies which might lead one to despair concerning the future when we look around at the sins of our society.  Today, Nahum prophesies that the enemies of God’s people will be brought down.  Nahum tells us that despite the seeming dominance of those who oppress God’s people, He will bring them down and bring peace for those who serve Him.  We look around and see the wicked gaining ever more power, the merchants who serve them, and are protected by them, are getting ever richer, but Nahum promises that they will all be brought to dust and that those who serve Him will once more live peaceful, prosperous lives.  As bad as the future looks today, God will send His messenger to bring good news.  In fact, He has already sent His messenger.  When I read Nahum, I decided to write the above before reading Habakkuk, thinking that I would write a completely separate paragraph on Habakkuk.  However, Habakkuk has a very similar theme to Nahum.  It also speaks of how the wicked will be overthrown to the benefit of the righteous.  Habakkuk talks about raising up the Babylonians in a way that no one would believe, which suggests that he is also talking, in part, about the downfall of Assyria.  And Habakkuk has an important message for us about preparing ourselves for this coming overthrow of the wicked.  He tells us that the enemy is puffed up and arrogant, ensnaring many in his net, but that the righteous will live by faith.  So, when we see the wickedness, and the suffering it brings with it, around us, let us keep our faith and know that God has redeemed us.

 

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

Daily Bible Study

September 27, 2023 Bible Study — God Cares for Those Who Trust in Him

Today, I am reading and commenting on  Nahum and Habakkuk.

My first thought as I read today’s passages was, “What is the connection between Nahum and the prophecy which Jonah delivered to Nineveh?”  The Book of Jonah merely records that Jonah’s prophecy was that Nineveh would be destroyed.  Nahum goes into more detail.  Nahum tells us that God is good and cares for those who trust in Him, but that He will put an end to Nineveh because they plotted against Him.  Which gives us two messages for today.  If you look around you see how those in power throughout the world largely act to marginalize and silence those who uphold God’s word.   They seek to diminish their influence by persecuting them in ways which lead others to not listen to God’s message.  Nahum gives those who trust in God a message of hope: God will care for them and protect them.  Nahum gives a warning to those who plot against God’s people: God will overwhelm them like a flood which shall wash away all of the protective barriers which they have erected around themselves.

Habakkuk appears to prophecy about the same events .  He starts by asking God why He allows injustice and violence to continue and thrive.  Before I go on to discuss God’s answer to Habakkuk I want to look a little more into what he says about those he calls upon God to judge.  He tells us that they are a law unto themselves and that the law of the land cannot touch them.  Further, Habakkuk tells us that they worship only their own strength and power.  Just as I saw parallels between the powerful of today and those against whom Nahum prophesied I see parallels here as well.  Habakkuk warns those who have made themselves at ease with unjust gains that God will bring them to justice.  Habakkuk prophesies against Assyria with a prophecy which applies to all who gain by violence and corruption.

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

Daily Bible Study

September 27, 2022 Bible Study — The Lord Is A Refuge In Times Of Trouble

Today, I am reading and commenting on  Nahum and Habakkuk.

The two prophets whose writings we read today share a theme: God will take vengeance on the wicked.  Nahum writes of God’s judgement against Assyria.  In verse six of his first chapter, Nahum writes:

His wrath is poured out like fire;
the rocks are shattered before him.

This evokes molten lava in my mind, the destructive force of a volcano.  I imagine the destruction Mount Vesuvius poured out on Pompei: overwhelming, with no hope of escape.  However, the next line which Nahum writes gives us hope.  The Lord is a refuge in times of trouble for those who trust in Him.  Which brings to mind a picture I have seen, I believe from Hawaii but I am not sure.  The picture shows a somewhat typical suburban neighborhood where lava has flowed through and destroyed everything, except one house stands intact, untouched by the lava flowing through the rest of the neighborhood.  Put your trust in God, and your life can be like that house when it seems like everything will go up in flames.  Habakkuk writes of God using Babylon to bring His judgement upon the wicked, even though Babylon is also wicked.  Yet, Habakkuk also ends with a note of hope for those who trust in the Lord.

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

Daily Bible Study

September 27, 2021 Bible Study — God Will Bring To An End Those Who Plot Against Him

Today, I am reading and commenting on  Nahum and Habakkuk.

Both of these books were written about the same time and contain prophesies foretelling the same events.  Nahum describes how Nineveh will fall because its people opposed God, While Habakkuk writes about Babylon suddenly rising and destroying the Assyrian Empire.  Nahum asks if Nineveh is any better than Thebes, a clear reference to when the King of Assyria had sacked Thebes a generation earlier.  As I said, Habakkuk speaks of the sudden rise of Babylon, which had been soundly defeated by that same King of Assyria.

Nahum tells us that God will bring down Nineveh because of the cruelty of the Assyrians.  Habakkuk writes that Assyria’s power was built on stolen goods and unjust gain. Both prophets speak of how the fall of Assyria will be good news to those who seek the Lord.  I really meant to spend more time writing about how these passages applies to us but I got caught up in the weeds about the prophetic nature of them. Nahum reminds us that God is a refuge in times of trouble and cares for those who trust in Him.  Habakkuk tells us to rejoice in the Lord because He will bring down the violent and cause justice to prevail.  Both prophets speak a message which tells us to put our trust in God during times of turmoil.  We may not see how it can happen, but God has plans to bring the powerful to justice.

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

Daily Bible Study

September 27, 2020 Bible Study God Is Coming To Rescue Those Who Put Their Faith In Him. Will We Be Those He Rescues, Or Those From Whom They Are Rescued?

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.

Nahum wrote a prophecy similar to the one which the Book of Jonah suggests that Jonah preached in Nineveh.  Except that this time the people of Nineveh did not repent of their sins.  The rulers of Assyria thought they could do as they pleased and no one could hold them to account.  They were mistaken, when God decided to bring His judgement against them, Nineveh fell.  We see people who believe as the rulers of Assyria did, that they can do as they please and suffer no consequences.  Those who do not repent of their sins and turn to God will face God’s judgement.

Habakkuk has a similar theme to Nahum, except his prophecies are aimed first at the elites of Judah and then against the Babylonians.  God tells Habakkuk that He will bring down those who put their trust in wealth or power, those who use violence and deceit to gain.  The righteous will live and thrive by being faithful to God, by trusting in His love for them.  Nothing but sorrow awaits those who put their trust elsewhere.  The wicked may create many barriers between themselves and justice, but God will brush those barriers aside as He comes to redeem those who call on His name.  Terrible times are coming, but if you put your trust in God and do His will, He will come to your aid with overwhelming might.

Daily Bible Study

September 27, 2019 Bible Study — Those Who Dismiss God and Goodness As Irrelevant Will Face Destruction

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.

 

Daily Bible Study

September 27, 2017 Bible Study — The Righteous Will Live By Faith

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.

    OK, I was mistaken the other day when I wrote that Obadiah was the only Old Testament prophet who had prophesied exclusively against foreign nations. I had forgotten that Nahum prophesied against Nineveh and the Assyrians. However, unlike Obadiah, Nahum does not describe the sins for which Nineveh is being punished. Instead, Nahum praises God for His power and warns that those who oppose Him will be brought low. The Assyrians had power and wealth which allowed them to lord it over other peoples, but when God chose to bring about their end that power and wealth was of no aid in preventing their destruction. The Assyrians had used their power and wealth exclusively for their own benefit so that when they fell no one mourned their destruction.

    Habakkuk prophesied about the same time as Nahum, possibly a few years later, but not many. Habakkuk cries out to God for judgment on the society around him. He sees that the people have twisted the law so that there is no justice. “Justice” has become a word with no meaning. People use it to gather power and wealth for themselves. Then when he sees what God has in store, Habakkuk fears that the judgment will be harsher than he wished. God’s second response to Habakkuk is the heart of the message. Those who trust in their own strength, wealth, and/or power will be brought low. The proud worship themselves or the tools through which they acquire wealth and power. The righteous live through faithfulness to God. Perhaps the most telling warning in this passage is that those who worship power and/or wealth can never have enough.They are never satisfied and will always seek more.As a result those who worship wealth and/or power will always oppress and mistreat the poor and the powerless. Seeking wealth and power for their own sake will always end in sorrow, but those who seek the Lord will find joy.

Daily Bible Study

September 27, 2016 Bible Study — God Is Slow To Anger, But His Justice Is Sure

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

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Today, I am reading and commenting on Nahum and Habakkuk.

    There are several verses in the Book of Nahum which provide comfort for those who put their trust in God (“The Lord is slow to get angry,…”, “The Lord is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in him.”, etc.). However, the main thrust of Nahum’s prophecy is that Assyria will be destroyed. For all of its power and wealth Assyria would face God’s judgment. The Assyrians had used their power and wealth to form alliances with other nations. Despite these alliances they had treated other nations in such a manner that no one mourned their destruction. This is a warning to any nation, or person which relies on its wealth and might to dominate those around them. The time will come when God will bring judgment for our sins.

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    The message of the Book of Habakkuk is that God’s judgment may seem slow to arrive, but it is sure and inevitable (see Nahum 1:3-6). The proud trust in themselves and believe that they will be able to rescue themselves from any trouble. The righteous, on the other hand, will live by their faith in, and faithfulness to, God. There are different ways that people use their wealth in their attempts to gain security. Some build big houses and create large estates for themselves using wealth they have acquired dishonestly. Some build institutions and cities (or take control of such things) using wealth acquired through corruption and evil. This last bit I may be reading more into than intended but it appears to me to refer to those who manipulate others into circumstances that can be used to coerce those others into doing the will of the manipulator. In each of these cases, God’s judgment will come down on these people. The security they thought they had gained will prove fleeting.
    Habakkuk concludes his prophesy with a prayer. In his prayer he acknowledges the fear which we all should feel when God starts to mete out justice on evildoers. However, in the face of that fear, we can and should rejoice in the Lord. We can and should be joyful to see God bring judgment on evildoers, even if we also suffer because of our sins, because God will be our salvation if we truly trust in Him.