God Speaks
The LORD Judges Nineveh about 150 Years after Revival in Jonah’s Time
Verse of the Day: The LORD is a jealous and avenging God; the LORD takes vengeance on His foes and vents His wrath against His enemies. The LORD is slow to anger but great in power; the LORD will not leave the guilty unpunished. (Nahum 1:2-3a NIV 2011)
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Watch TBR Day 216
We Respond
Reflection: Consider the following questions regarding Nahum 1-3:
1. What does this chapter tell me about God?
2. What does this chapter tell me about the human beings He created?
Here is one possible answer to each of these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit if there are any others for you personally to ponder.
[Since the prophecy of Nahum is a short (47 verses in total) continuous narrative on the same topic, it will be examined as a whole.]
1. “The LORD is a jealous God, filled with vengeance and rage. He takes revenge on all who oppose him [and oppress His people] and continues to rage against His enemies! [In this case the Assyrians with Nineveh as their capital.] The LORD is slow to get angry, but His power is great, and He never lets the guilty go unpunished. . .. The LORD is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in Him.” [The LORD had previously used Jonah (784-760 B.C.) to warn the residents of Nineveh of impending judgment, and they repented. Now (650-630 B.C.) that they had returned to their old wicked, violent ways, the LORD sent them this message through Nahum.]
2. People apart from God plot evil against the LORD and His people–as the Assyrians did. The once great city of Nineveh would suffer the loss of its solders, leaders, merchants, and children because, as the LORD asks, “Where can anyone be found who has not suffered from your continual cruelty?” After issuing warnings to repent, God’s powerful punishment was in proportion to their violent, evil behavior.
Prayer:
3. How might I pray regarding Nahum 1-3?
O LORD God, You are awesomely good and awesomely powerful. In Your time and in Your way, You will hold both individuals and nations accountable for how they obey You and how they treat other people–the pinnacle of Your creation and focus of Your love. You guard and protect those who trust in You. You are slow to get angry, but when You decide to act, You release great power against Your enemies. Innocent children often suffer because of unwise and evil decisions and actions of the adults who should be caring for and protecting them. Holy Spirit, please move in the hearts and minds of multitudes of people to forsake their sinful ways and turn to have a holy fear of the LORD as Ninevites did under Jonah’s ministry. Do what You must to keep people from continuing on the path to destruction that those under Nahum’s ministry were following. One day we will all stand before You to face the consequences of our decisions and actions. May vast numbers turn to faith in Christ and obedience to the Father in the power of the Spirit. This will bring You glory, LORD. AMEN
Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)
4. What action does the LORD want me to take in response to Nahum 1-3? With the help of God’s Holy Spirit:
- I will thank God that He is the One who judges evil behavior. He is the One who knows the whole situation.
- I will thank the LORD for His mercy in not punishing me in proportion to what my sins deserve. Because I’ve trusted Christ, He took my punishment.
- I will repent of my sins as the Ninevites did in Jonah’s day.
- I will seek the help of the Holy Spirit to develop holy fear of God and to avoid sinning against my loving, merciful Heavenly Father.
Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.