365 Reflections

Nahum is three chapters long but full of descriptive prophecy of the demise of Nineveh. The third chapter offers no glimmer of hope for this city as the prophet reveals vivid imagery of an inescapable judgment to come.  Nahum 3:1–4 (ESV) Woe to the bloody city, all full of lies and plunder— no end to the prey! 2 The crack of the whip, and rumble of the wheel, galloping horse and bounding chariot! 3 Horsemen charging, flashing sword and glittering spear, hosts of slain, heaps of corpses, dead bodies without end— they stumble over the bodies! 4 And all for the countless whorings of the prostitute, graceful and of deadly charms, who betrays nations with her whorings, and peoples with her charms. Look notably at verse 4. The Lord describes the city as a prostitute. This is common imagery in judgment oracles throughout the prophets. Isaiah referred to Israel in the same way. So did Ezekiel. It is an important image for believers that we might understand the nature of a city. A city wil...

Nahum's name means "comforter." It's an interesting name for a prophet whose primary message is one of vengeance on Israel's enemies for what they did to them when God used them to judge her. But that picture of comfort is one we might be well served to understand. God comforts His people by always having their long-term interests in mind. No enemy will prosper against God's people. Though we suffer setbacks, the Lord is keeping records and will recompense those who attack us.  In our daily battles, we can be comforted to know that whatever loss we experience will be repaid by the Lord as we seek to do His will.  Nahum 2:1–2 (ESV) The scatterer has come up against you. Man the ramparts; watch the road; dress for battle; collect all your strength. 2 For the LORD is restoring the majesty of Jacob as the majesty of Israel, for plunderers have plundered them and ruined their branches. The Lord restores through the vengeance against Nineveh. The people of Israel wi...

We come to one of the Bible's most obscure books. It's a valuable book, just not referenced much nor preached often. Yet it is one of the inspired texts of scripture and carries with it essential truths about God that we might neglect if we aren't careful.  What truth does Nahum present? That God avenges His people. Nahum prophesied 100 years later to the same people to whom God sent Jonah. Jonah preached reluctantly, and the entire city of Nineveh repented. This leading city of Israel's enemies was spared. And then later, they conquered Jonah's nation - the Northern Kingdom.  If you were a faithful Israelite in those days, you'd have reason to harbor resentment over the fact that the very nation God spared would then be God's tool of judgment against you. God is in charge of the nations and uses them to bring judgment on one another when necessary. So perhaps Nahum is often ignored because the context of its message is not taken into account. The opening wo...