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Nahum 2:11-13 – Where is the lion?

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On August 27, 2013

In Christian, Nahum, Through the Bible

Prophet Nahum brings the questions of the Lord in Nahum 2:11. God questions “Where is the dwelling of the lions?”, “Where is the devouring (feeding) place of the young lions?”, “Where is the lion, the old lion and the lion’s whelp (young)?” Nahum 2:12 states that lions  tore their prey for their young and choked the life out of (strangled) their prey for their lionesses, filling their holes and dens with prey. The lions here refer to the Assyrian kings (rulers) (Jeremiah 50:17) and their whelps refers to the princes, who oppressed and afflicted many nations (prey) before their queens (lionesses) and their young ones (whelps), filling their own homes (holes) and palaces (dens) with their conquests. The identity of the lion (the old lion) is not explicitly stated, but some scholars think that it is a reference to the Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar who is likened to a lion (Jeremiah 50:17), but a more plausible reference, as some other scholars feel, is that the reference to the lion (old lion) is to Nimrod (which means – the rebel), the great hunter of ancient (old) times, who built the city of Nineveh (Genesis 10:8-12). When the Assyrian rulers (Tiglathpileser (2Kings 15:29), Shalmaneser (2 Kings 18:9), Sargon (Isaiah 20:1), Sennacherib (2 Kings 18:13) , Esarhaddon (Ezra 4:2)) were in power, as the king of their pride, there was no one to make them afraid (Nahum 2:11). But it was decreed (Huzzab) that Nineveh will be like a pool that is being drained and the dwelling and feeding place of these lions (rulers) and their young (princes) will being laid waste, bare and desolate (Nahum 2:7-8; Nahum 2:11), for the Lord God was against them (Nahum 2:13). The devouring lions shall be devoured themselves by the sword of the Spirit of the Lord (Nahum 2:13), which is His Word, his Decree (Ephesians 6:17).

Points to ponder:
The devil is the ancient (old) Assyrian who rebelled against the Lord (Isaiah 14:25; Revelation 12:9). As God’s adversary and rebel, the devil is like a roaring lion, roaming about, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). The devil was vanquished and defeated by Jesus Christ (1 John 3:8), the Lion of the tribe of Judah (Revelation 5:5), on the Cross, once and for all. The devil’s dwelling and devouring place, which is this world (2 Corinthians 4:4), wherein he has dominion presently, shall one day be replaced by the new heaven and new earth (Revelation 21:1), in which only the Lion of the tribe of Judah shall reign forever. God shall then ask – Where is the lion?

What are the lions in your life that intimidate and afflict you? Trust in the Lion of the Tribe of Judah and believe in him to become adopted into his pride, for He can vanquish and completely destroy all the lions in your life. Do you belong to the pride of the One True Lion – Jesus Christ?

Nahum 2:11-13 (KJV)
11 Where is the dwelling of the lions, and the feedingplace of the young lions, where the lion, even the old lion, walked, and the lion’s whelp, and none made them afraid?
12 The lion did tear in pieces enough for his whelps, and strangled for his lionesses, and filled his holes with prey, and his dens with ravin.
13 Behold, I am against thee, saith the Lord of hosts, and I will burn her chariots in the smoke, and the sword shall devour thy young lions: and I will cut off thy prey from the earth, and the voice of thy messengers shall no more be heard.

Nahum 2:6-10 – It is decreed (Huzzab)

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On August 26, 2013

In Christian, Nahum, Through the Bible

The gates of the rivers shall be opened and the palace shall be dissolved (Nahum 2:6) referred prophetically to how the city of Nineveh will be overrun by a flood. This prophecy came true as the Medo-Babylonian army invaders against Nineveh dammed the river Khoser and the opened its gates to flood the city of Nineveh. This was decreed (Huzzab) of the Lord and so it happened, just as the Lord had promised comfort for his people (Judah) through his prophet Nahum (Nahum 2:7). The Medo-Babylonian invaders were merely acting out God’s decree. The people of Nineveh were made captive and led out of their bloody city, cooing like doves, beating upon their breasts like one would strike a tambourine (Nahum 2:7). The leading of the Nineveh captives out of their own land is likened to the fleeing of water from a pool and while they wished for the exodus to stop by crying, “Stand, stand”, none could look back to stay in the city for no one could come to their rescue and refuge  (Nahum 2:8) . The captives would be brought up (Jeremiah 21:2) to the land of their invaders (Babylon) as it was decreed of the Lord. Not only will the people and their worthies (princes – Nahum 2:5) be taken captive as prisoners, but all of their wealth (silver, gold, and glorious furnishings such as pleasant furniture) shall be plundered (Nahum 2:9) and the land shall be made empty, laid void and as waste. The hearts of the inhabitants would melt in fear, their knees shall smite against each other in trepidation. In their loins, which is symbolic of the place of strength (Job 40:7; 2 Samuel 20:8), shall they ache and their faces will grow pale (gather blackness) with fear (Nahum 2:10). Why, because, it is decreed by the Lord.

Points to ponder:
The enemies of God and his people can be assured of being overrun by the Lord as a flood overruns a city and they shall be brought up to justice. No one can come to their rescue and refuge.  All their trust in the worthies and wealth shall be laid bare and their hearts shall melt in fear, their knees shall strike each other, their loins shall ache and their faces shall grow pale. Why? Because it is decreed, It is Huzzab. The question that remains then to be answered is, “Are you and I enemies of God?” To answer this question, we must answer, “Are we friends of this world?” for the Bible states that friendship of this world is enmity with God (James 4:4).

Nahum 2:6-10 (KJV)
6 The gates of the rivers shall be opened, and the palace shall be dissolved.
7 And Huzzab shall be led away captive, she shall be brought up, and her maids shall lead her as with the voice of doves, tabering upon their breasts.
8 But Nineveh is of old like a pool of water: yet they shall flee away. Stand, stand, shall they cry; but none shall look back.
9 Take ye the spoil of silver, take the spoil of gold: for there is none end of the store and glory out of all the pleasant furniture.
10 She is empty, and void, and waste: and the heart melteth, and the knees smite together, and much pain is in all loins, and the faces of them all gather blackness.

Nahum 2:5 – Counting on your worthies or the Worthy One

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On August 22, 2013

In Christian, Nahum, Through the Bible

Nahum 2:5 reads “He shall recount his worthies: they shall stumble in their walk; they shall make haste to the wall thereof, and the defence shall be prepared.”

This verse specifically speaks of how the king of Assyria (Sennacherib) would call for (recount) his noble and gallant men (worthies) and send them to walls of Nineveh to defend the city against the invading armies of the Medo-Babylonians that the Lord was sending to punish the Assyrians. The vile king of Assyria, who blasphemed against the Lord (Nahum 1:11; 2 Kings 19:22), shall trust in the military strength of his nobles, only to find out that they would stumble in their walk, implying that their knees will not be able to hold them straight up, against the Lord’s chosen army (in this case the Medo-Babylonian army). The nobles (worthies) shall dwell in the dust i.e., lie dead and to dust they shall return and the people scattered in the mountains (Nahum 3:18).

Points to ponder:
In the presence of the Lord of lords and the King of kings (Revelation 19:16), even the knees of kings shake as was the case of king Belshazzar (Daniel 5:6). Who can stand against the Lord God Almighty? No one, absolutely no one. (Nahum 1:6; Isaiah 14:27; Isaiah 59:19; Hebrews 13:6) Those who trust in their own strength, counting on what they think is worthy shall realize that counting is futile. King David counted his fighting men, instead of relying on the Lord God and this displeased the Lord (2 Samuel 24). Let us not be like King David who foolishly counted his fighting men (2 Samuel 24:10), or like the blasphemous and vile king of Assyria who futilely counted his fighting men (Nahum 2:5), but let us rely on the Lord God for successes and victories in the wars of life. Jesus is the only Worthy One whom we can count on (Revelation 5:12). It is not a matter of whom you are counting, but Who do you count on?

Nahum 2:5 (KJV)
5 He shall recount his worthies: they shall stumble in their walk; they shall make haste to the wall thereof, and the defence shall be prepared.

Revelation 5:12-13 (KJV)
12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.
13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

Nahum 2:3-4 – Mighty men/Man in Red

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On August 21, 2013

In Christian, Nahum, Through the Bible

Nahum 2:3-4 reads “The shield of his mighty men is made red, the valiant men are in scarlet: the chariots shall be with flaming torches in the day of his preparation, and the fir trees shall be terribly shaken. The chariots shall rage in the streets, they shall justle one against another in the broad ways: they shall seem like torches, they shall run like the lightnings.”

This mighty men refer to the men in the Medo-Babylonian army whom the Lord was raising against the people of Nineveh (Assyria) to punish them for their wickedness against his people and the others who they captured. Shields made and valiant men in scarlet is a possible reference to either shields and armor dyed in red or which bear the blood of the Assyrians whom they would destroy completely. Chariots with flaming torches speaks of the immense speed of the wheels of the chariots that rotated with speeds like a whirlwind, drawn by horses who ran like lightning (Nahum 2:4), whose hooves were like flint (Isaiah 5:28). These chariots would rage in the broad streets of Nineveh justling against one another. The fir trees that shall be terribly shaken is a possible reference to the lances made of fir tree wood that will be used in the battle of Nineveh. In other words, the people of Judah who sought the justice of the Lord would finally get it through the mighty men of red that the Lord God was raising up.

Points to ponder:
First, it is important to recognize that it is not the chariots of the Medo-Babylonian army that brought about the salvation to the people of Judah from the Assyrians, but it was the Lord God who raised the Medo-Babylonian army against the Assyrians. The Scripture makes it evident that we ought not to trust in chariots or horses (military strength) as some do, but we must trust in the Lord (Psalm 20:7).

More importantly, it is imperative for us to recognize that while the mighty and valiant men in red of the Medo-Babylonian army brought justice to the people of God against the vile and evil king of Assyria, Jesus is the true Mighty Man in red, for they put on him a scarlet robe (Matthew 27:28) and his vesture is dipped in blood (Revelation 19:13), as the valiant captain (commander and chief) of the armies of the Lord (Joshua 5:13-15), who has brought about ultimate justice for all mankind (Matthew 5:17; John 19:30) against the vile and evil god of this world, the devil (2 Corinthians 4:4), destroying him completely (1 John 3:8). Jesus shall return on a white horse (Revelation 19:11) as lightning (Matthew 24:27). Do you trust in Jesus?

Nahum 2:3-4 (KJV)
3 The shield of his mighty men is made red, the valiant men are in scarlet: the chariots shall be with flaming torches in the day of his preparation, and the fir trees shall be terribly shaken.
4 The chariots shall rage in the streets, they shall justle one against another in the broad ways: they shall seem like torches, they shall run like the lightnings.

Matthew 27:27-29 (KJV)
27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers.
28 And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe.
29 And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!

Revelation 19:13 (KJV)
13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.

Nahum 2:2 – God’s Excellency and God The Excellency

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On August 20, 2013

In Nahum, Through the Bible

Nahum 2:2 reads “For the Lord hath turned away the excellency of Jacob, as the excellency of Israel: for the emptiers have emptied them out, and marred their vine branches.”

What is the excellency of Jacob (who was rechristened Israel (Genesis 32:28))? Physically, the temple (santuary) in Jerusalem, which the descendants of Jacob a.k.a Israel (Jews) desired, was the excellency according to God (Ezekiel 24:21; Psalms 47:4). Spiritually, the excellency of Jacob refers to God himself for God is A excellent Spirit (Daniel 6:3; John 4:24).

The emptiers who have emptied refer to the wicked people of Nineveh that plundered and spoiled (emptied) the lands they captured, depriving the lands of their wealth and worship (Psalm 80:15-16). This included the Jews (the people of Judah) – the Israelites, who are referred to as vine branches (Hosea 10:1, Psalm 80:8-16) that the Assyrians marred.

Prophetically this verse meant that the Assyrian oppressors of Judah (and Israel) will now be destroyed completely (dashed into pieces) by the Babylonians whom the Lord was raising and that God will restore (turn away) the excellency of Jacob (i.e. Israel) for the Assyrians who spoiled Israel and the Jews shall be utterly destroyed (Nahum 1:8,9,15).

By assuring that the Lord has turned away (restored) the excellency of Jacob, God was stating that he shall afflict (chastise) his people no more (Nahum 1:9) and avenge them against their oppressors (Nahum 1:2) and that his people would once again be able to worship God by performing their vows and keeping their feasts of tabernacles (Nahum 1:15), for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb (Jesus) The Excellency will himself be the temple (Revelation 21:22).

Points to ponder:
Jesus is the Excellency of God (2 Corinthians 4:7). He is God The Excellency. He spoke of himself to be the temple of the living God (John 2:19) and when we believe in him, we become the temple of the living God (1 Corinthians 3:17). God restores his excellency in us when we acknowledge the Lordship of Jesus and when we believe in his name, confessing our sins, which his blood cleanses, for the Bible records that we have this treasure (Jesus Christ) in earthen vessels (bodies of ours fashioned from the dust in the earth), that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us (2 Corinthians 4:7). No matter who our oppressors are, we need not fret, for God is an excellent God in us – whom do we need to fear? No one! Can it be said of each of us, as it was said of Daniel, that we have A “Excellent” Spirit of God in us?

Nahum 2:2 (KJV)
2 For the Lord hath turned away the excellency of Jacob, as the excellency of Israel: for the emptiers have emptied them out, and marred their vine branches.

2 Corinthians 4:7 (KJV)
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

1 Corinthians 3:17 (KJV)
17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

Revelation 21:22 (KJV)
22 And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.

Nahum 2:1: God’s battle axe and hammer

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On August 19, 2013

In Christian, Nahum, Through the Bible

While Nahum chapter 1 describes God as a Jealous God who would avenge his people against their oppressors (Assyria), Nahum chapter 2 describes God as a Judging God, and prophetically informs his people, how God would judge Nineveh, the capital city of Assyria. God would raise the Babylonians to destroy Nineveh completely so that it would never raise again.

Nahum 2:1 reads “He that dasheth in pieces is come up before thy face: keep the munition, watch the way, make thy loins strong, fortify thy power mightily.” The one who dasheth in pieces is in reference to the Babylonians, who have come up against (before the face of) Nineveh . The prophet Jeremiah describes Babylon as the hammer of the whole earth (Jeremiah 50:23) and the battle axe [in God’s hand] that will break (dash) into pieces the nations (Jeremiah 51:20). In 612 B.C, the Babylon led by Nabopolassar in the Battle of Nineveh, allies with the Medes led by Cyaxeres, captured and destroyed Nineveh.  The Assyrian’s war cries to keep their munition, watch the way, making their loins strong (which is symbolic of the seat of one’s strength – Job 40:7) and fortify their power mightily was merely futile, for it was the Lord God who was going to strike them with his battle axe and hammer – the Babylonians and their allies.

Points to ponder:
When God strikes, there is no amount of military strategy (watching the way, girding one’s strength) and/or strength (keeping munition, fortifying power mightily) that can stop his strike. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God (Hebrews 10:31) who is the judge (Revelation 19:11) and true and righteous are his judgments (Revelation 19:2).

Nahum 2:1-2 (KJV)
1 He that dasheth in pieces is come up before thy face: keep the munition, watch the way, make thy loins strong, fortify thy power mightily.

Jeremiah 50:23 (KJV)
23 How is the hammer of the whole earth cut asunder and broken! how is Babylon become a desolation among the nations!

Jeremiah 51:19-20 (KJV)
19 The portion of Jacob is not like them; for he is the former of all things: and Israel is the rod of his inheritance: the Lord of hosts is his name.
20 Thou art my battle axe and weapons of war: for with thee will I break in pieces the nations, and with thee will I destroy kingdoms;

Hebrews 10:31 (KJV)
31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Nahum 1:15 – Perform thy vows

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On August 15, 2013

In Christian, Nahum, Through the Bible

The promises that the people of Judah had vowed to the Lord, the Lord is asking them to perform through his prophet Nahum, for the Lord was going to completely uproot the Assyrian’s who likely hindered the worshipping practices of the people of Judah. Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines the word “vow” as a solemn promise, one by which a person is bound to an act, service or condition. It is synonymous to the words: pledge, oath and promise.

When we vow to the Lord, we must not be slack in keeping/performing it, for God does not have any pleasures in fools (Ecclesiastes 5:4). We find in Jephthah, the classic example of a man who hastily vowed to the Lord and that cost him his very own daughter (Judges 11:34).
Jesus said, let your ‘yes’ be ‘yes’ and your ‘no’ be ‘no’ for anything else that proceeds from your mouth is of the evil one (Matthew 5:37).

Points to ponder:
Don’t swear or make vows that you cannot be sure of fulfilling, but if you do or have done, “Perform thy vows” says the Lord, for there will be no one to hinder you. So when we vow to the Lord, let us be bound to the act of loving him with all our being, and to the service of reconciling man with God on the condition that we are God’s ambassadors. Let this be our pledge, our oath and our promise and let us perform it.

Nahum 1:15 (KJV)
15 Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace! O Judah, keep thy solemn feasts, perform thy vows: for the wicked shall no more pass through thee; he is utterly cut off.

Ecclesiastes 5:4 (KJV)
4 When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.

Matthew 5:37 (KJV)
37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

Nahum 1:15 – Keep thy solemn feasts

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On August 14, 2013

In Christian, Nahum, Through the Bible

When a pagan and vile nation that boasts in its own strength, blasphemes against God and afflicts you, the commanded practices of worshipping God gets hindered and this was the case with Judah as the Assyrians were oppressing them. In this midst of this affliction, the prophet Nahum counsels the people of Judah to keep their solemn feasts, which may seem absurd at first glance, since feasts are usually associated with rejoicing and victory, and not oppression and/or affliction. So why would God ask the people to do such a thing through his prophet? To understand this, we need to first know what the solemn feast is and why it was commanded? Deuteronomy 16:13-17 gives us the answer.

Deuteronomy 16:13-17 speaks of the feast of tabernacles that should be observed for seven days, and during this time, the people are commanded to rejoice. They are to keep this solemn feast in a place which the Lord shall choose, because the Lord God shall bless them in all their increase and works. Herein lies the answer – the solemn feasts are to be kept in a place which the Lord God shall choose, meaning that while the Assyrians and their vile king Sennacherib, thought that the land of Judah was their place to conquer, this land was chosen by God, for only in the land which the Lord God chooses, were the people commanded to keep their solemn feasts. Additionally, God would bless them in spite of their affliction which gives all the reason to rejoice and hence the prophet Nahum brings not just the message of comfort to God’s people, but a message of choosing – of God’s choosing.

Points to ponder:
We did not choose God first, but God chose us first and loved us (1 John 4:19). Many are called but few are chosen (Matthew 22:14). We are a chosen generation (1 Peter 2:9). A tabernacle is a place of sanctuary or temple and we are the temple (tabernacle) of the Holy Spirit of God (2 Corinthians 6:16). When we believe in Jesus, the Holy Spirit of God comes into our life to in dwell in us, God’s tabernacle, and that gives us all the reason to rejoice and keep the solemn feast, in spite of any affliction we may be facing or shall face. People of God, rejoice and keep your solemn feast for God has chosen you.

Nahum 1:15 (KJV)
15 Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace! O Judah, keep thy solemn feasts, perform thy vows: for the wicked shall no more pass through thee; he is utterly cut off.

Deuteronomy 16:13-17 (KJV)
13 Thou shalt observe the feast of tabernacles seven days, after that thou hast gathered in thy corn and thy wine:
14 And thou shalt rejoice in thy feast, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite, the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are within thy gates.
15 Seven days shalt thou keep a solemn feast unto the Lord thy God in the place which the Lord shall choose: because the Lord thy God shall bless thee in all thine increase, and in all the works of thine hands, therefore thou shalt surely rejoice.
16 Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the Lord thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the Lord empty:
17 Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord thy God which he hath given thee.

Nahum 1:15 – Stepping into battle

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On August 13, 2013

In Christian, Nahum, Through the Bible

The title “Stepping into battle” may seems a little odd when referring to the first part of the fifteenth verse of the first chapter of Nahum, which reads “Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace! O Judah.” This verse speaks of the feet that brings good tidings and peace, then where is the question of battle and warfare? Before we delve into that, let us first recognize that this verse succeeds God’s assurance of comfort to the people of Judah from the Assyrians, for God promises to afflict them no more (Nahum 1:12). God’s comfort is possible only when the Comforter is present and the Holy Spirit of God is referred to as the Comforter by Jesus himself who will testify of Jesus (John 15:26) . True peace and good tidings comes only when Jesus comes into a person’s life. So this verse in essence is a messianic prophecy of the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ as not just as God’s messenger of peace but as God’s message of peace and the God of peace (Philippians 4:9). Prophet Isaiah refers to the same analogy to describe to coming of the Lord Jesus Christ (Isaiah 40:9). When Jesus was born, the angelic host (army) sang, peace on earth and good will (tidings) to all men (Luke 2:14).

Ever wonder why an army, that to, an army of angels, sing about peace. To publish peace in a world that is sinful and under the bondage of the evil vile one (2 Corinthians 4:4) is not just a struggle but a battle and it would take an army of warriors. This is why the armor of God, which ought to be donned for victory in spiritual warfare, lists as one of its elements, the shoes of peace that comes from the Good News (gospel of Jesus Christ) (Ephesians 6:15 – NLT).

Points to ponder:
When we take the gospel of peace to people who have not yet believed in Jesus, we can take comfort, that we are being, God’s feet that brings good tidings and publishes peace (Nahum 1:15).
When we put on the shoes of peace to proclaim the gospel of peace to a world that is lost without Jesus, we are in essence stepping into battle, but we can take comfort in the fact, that by doing so, we are following Jesus’ footsteps. Jesus said, “Do not think I have come to send peace, but a sword” (Matthew 10:34) meaning that when we take the gospel of peace to the lost, it will pierce their inner core as a sword would penetrate the soul and spirit, joints and marrow (Hebrews 4:12) as we engage with spiritual warfare.

Nahum 1:15 (KJV)
15 Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace! O Judah, keep thy solemn feasts, perform thy vows: for the wicked shall no more pass through thee; he is utterly cut off.

Isaiah 40:9 (KJV)
9 O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God!

Luke 2:14 (KJV)
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Nahum 1:1-4 – Comfort and 3-strike Condemnation

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On August 12, 2013

In Christian, Nahum, Through the Bible

The prophecy of the Lord, that prophet Nahum brought, against Nineveh speaks of a wicked counsellor who was vile, whose yoke and bonds on the people of Judah, the Lord will break (Nahum 1:11-14). To the people of Judah, God sends a message of comfort that though the Assyrians were many, they shall be cut down and while he had allowed them to reprimand his people, he will afflict them no more (Nahum 1:12). The identity of this vile and wicked counsellor is not mentioned by name in the book of Nahum, but cross referencing other parts of the Scripture, unveils that the reference to the wicked counsellor and vile one is to Sennacherib, the king of Assyria who sent his aide Rabshakeh to rail and blaspheme God. The wicked counsel (2 Kings 18:20) that Sennacherib sent by word of Rabshakeh was that the people of God (Judah) should not heed to the voice of their king Hezekiah anymore for Hezekiah believed that God would deliver them. He also blasphemed God by asking the people to not trust in God to live, but instead surrender to him so that they may live (2 Kings 18:29-32). Hezekiah prayed to the Lord against such blasphemy and God’s prophet Isaiah assures Hezekiah that God will not forsake his people, but will fight for them and that Sennacherib will fall by the sword in his own land (2 Kings 19:7).

On one hand, God’s prophecy of comfort is promised to his people, but on the other hand, a personal prophecy of three strike condemnation is given against Sennacherib, the wicked and vile one, who reproached and blasphemed God.
First Strike – God says that there shall be no more of any new seed (children) of Sennacherib, meaning his name (lineage) shall continue no more (no longer be sown) (Nahum 1:14).
Second Strike – God says that the house of the vile one’s gods (deities) shall be cut (Nahum 1:14).
Third Strike – God says that he himself will make the grave of the vile one, meaning that God will orchestrate the events that will lead to the death of the vile one (Nahum 1:14). Interestingly vile is an anagram of evil.

Points to ponder:
The 3-strike condemnation is assured to the vile one. The destiny of the vile one would cease. The deities of the vile one would be cut. The death of the vile one would be caused.
But the promise of God’s comfort is given to those who are his people. Are you God’s?

Nahum 1:11-14 (KJV)
11 There is one come out of thee, that imagineth evil against the Lord, a wicked counsellor.
12 Thus saith the Lord; Though they be quiet, and likewise many, yet thus shall they be cut down, when he shall pass through. Though I have afflicted thee, I will afflict thee no more.
13 For now will I break his yoke from off thee, and will burst thy bonds in sunder.
14 And the Lord hath given a commandment concerning thee, that no more of thy name be sown: out of the house of thy gods will I cut off the graven image and the molten image: I will make thy grave; for thou art vile.

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