The name Nahum means
Comforter. God is bringing "comfort" to Israel by
the prophet predicting Nineveh’s fall. The Assyrians were mortal
enemies of Israel. God had spared them 100 years ago during Jonah's time time,
but would not withold His judgment now. We can learn through Nahum's
prophecy:
The purpose of the
destruction. (1:1-2, 7, 9-15; 2:12; 3:1, 4-10) God will accomplish this for two
reasons:
1. To protect Judah
(1:1-2, 13, and 15) God is jealous over those He loves and takes vengeance
on all who would harm them. The people will soon rejoice over the destruction
of the cruel Assyrian Empire.
2. To punish
Nineveh (1:9-12, 14; 2:12; 3:1, 4-10) Her wickedness: Defiance of God,
Idolatry, terrible bloodshed, and involvement with the occult.
We also have no doubt
about the power behind the destruction (1:3-6) When sinful men
exhaust God’s patience, they face the terrible power of God’s wrath which is
like a raging storm and consuming fire!
The Assyrians trusted in
their own power and strength. They forgot how the Lord had spared them when
they repented under Jonah's warning.Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us to always,
Trust in the Lord with
all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit
to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Amen?