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Writer's pictureLance Bridges

NAHUM - INTRODUCTION



The buzzer sounds, signaling the end of the basketball game.  This is the time for the winning coach to say something kind and gracious, and the winning players to congratulate the losers on a game well played.  But tonight it is different.  The winning team immediately begins to ridicule the losers, pounces on them, beats them up, and in every way possible shows their superiority – arrogantly and viciously.


Ancient warfare was not a basketball game, nor were winners prone to congratulating the losers on a war well fought.  But the manner in which winners handled victory was a barometer of their stature and character.  Many ancient kings and military leaders treated their captives humanely.  Years later, Daniel and his friends would even find a place in their conquerors’ governing system.  Nehemiah was kindly treated by the Persian king whom he served.  Many years before, Pharaoh of Egypt treated Joseph the prisoner kindly, making him governor of all the land.


Nahum’s book is devoted to one subject:  God’s coming judgment on the Assyrians and their capital city of Nineveh.  More than 100 years before Nahum’s ministry, Jonah’s words to this wicked city had caused revival and repentance.  God’s judgment had been deferred but not averted.  Now the city and the nation it represented had sunk to new depths of wickedness. (Wow! That change of heart by the Nineveh people didn’t last long, and their behavior got worse since the Lord didn’t punish them.)


At the time, this prophecy of Assyria’s downfall seemed unlikely, but within half a century, it had happened just as predicted by Nahum.  A just and holy God brought an end to an empire devoted to idolatry, arrogance, and evil oppression.


What message is found in Nahum for the Christian today?  Why should we be interested in a book devoted to the coming destruction of Assyria when that destruction happened 2,500 years ago?  What hope do we see in a book that many have called harsh and vengeful?


A simple ray of hope shines through the brittle language of Nahum.  God is a just God who hates evil and evildoers, and he will ultimately judge them for their wickedness.  For the people of Israel, who had already felt the sting of Assyria’s cruel treatment, there was hope that this wickedness would not go unpunished.  And the evildoing that we see recorded so often in our daily newspapers will not go unpunished either.  Our just and holy god is still on the throne.  Although evil may seem to triumph for a night, it will not endure the heat of God’s day of judgment.  Justice will prevail, for a just and holy God is still in control.  (Touch Point Bible) (Yes, Lord!  Thank you for being a just God!)


Lord, thank you for your Word today!  Many times we see the wickedness of others, and it seems like even in their evil ways, they continue to prosper….living a happy and fulfilling life.  However, looks are deceiving, for we don’t know their story, struggles, and true circumstances.  You, on the other hand, are a just God, and you will deal with them accordingly.  Lord, therefore, give us peace, knowing that you are in control.  Help us focus our attention on our lives and what we can control, and not the wicked lives of others.  Lord, we love you!


May the Lord bless you and protect you.  May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you.  May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)


….AND MAY WE ALL PRACTICE THIS WITH ONE ANOTHER.


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