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NAHUM

INTRODUCTION

In 612 BC the Assyrian Empire was nearing collapse. Its capital Nineveh was about to fall before a combined invasion of Babylonian, Medean and Scythian forces. But those living in the nations that Assyria had cruelly oppressed felt little pity. In their view, the Assyrians were simply getting a long-overdue taste of their own medicine. The prophet Nahum echoes these thoughts on behalf of the people of Judah. He situates this event within the context of God’s rule over all kingdoms on earth. God will judge the Assyrians, even though he had used them as his own instrument, because they were excessively destructive and proud.

Nahum’s oracle describes God’s character and power, announcing God’s purpose to judge Assyria. Words of comfort to Judah alternate with words of doom to Nineveh. The defense of the Assyrian capital will prove futile and the city will be plundered, confirming God’s judgment.

 

www.bible.com/zh-TW/bible/111/NAM.INTRO1.NIV

 

Nahum 1 (ESV)

1 An oracle concerning Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum of Elkosh.

God’s Wrath Against Nineveh

² The Lord is a jealous and avenging God;
the Lord is avenging and wrathful;
the Lord takes vengeance on his adversaries
and keeps wrath for his enemies.
³ The Lord is slow to anger and great in power,
and the Lord will by no means clear the guilty.
His way is in whirlwind and storm,
and the clouds are the dust of his feet.
⁴ He rebukes the sea and makes it dry;
he dries up all the rivers;
Bashan and Carmel wither;
the bloom of Lebanon withers.
⁵ The mountains quake before him;
the hills melt;
the earth heaves before him,
the world and all who dwell in it.

⁶ Who can stand before his indignation?
Who can endure the heat of his anger?
His wrath is poured out like fire,
and the rocks are broken into pieces by him.
⁷ The Lord is good,
a stronghold in the day of trouble;
he knows those who take refuge in him.
⁸     But with an overflowing flood
he will make a complete end of the adversaries,
and will pursue his enemies into darkness.

 

REFLECTION:

• “Jealous” (originally referred to as envy) and “avenging” (originally referred to as revenge) (2) do not seem to have a relationship with God, because people’s jealousy and revenge are often selfish; but to God It is to ensure our loyalty to Him, so it is reasonable and just for God to punish wicked people who do not repent. The purpose why God is “jealous” and “avenging” is only to remove sins and restore peace in the world (see Deuteronomy 4:24; 5:9), and does not contain selfish elements.
• God is slow to anger, but when He decides to punish, even the earth trembles (3). Many times, people are unwilling to believe in God, because they see that there are treacherous people in the world, and even there are hypocrites in the church. However, they did not understand that it is precisely because God is slow to anger that His followers can have the opportunity and time to share God’s love and truth with sinners. However, judgment will eventually come, and God will not allow sin to escape the mesh of the law forever. If someone asks why God doesn’t stop sin immediately, please don’t forget that if God is really angry, no one can survive. In fact, we should thank God for giving people the opportunity to return to Him.
• For those who refuse to believe in God, God’s punishment is like a raging fire and no one can stand before His indignation (6); but for those who love God, God is like a refuge, and there is no shortage of His supply (7). Those who are enemies are flooded and washed away by God like an overflowing flood (8). The relationship with God is our own choice. Which one should you choose?

 

PRAYER:

Dear God, You are a jealous and avenging God, slow to anger, great in power, and will by no means clear the guilty. Lord, let me see Your majesty so that I will be in awe and will not sin against You.

 

HYMN:

When I Look Into Your Holiness – youtu.be/jfIT3rooJWQ