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Category: Nahum

Nahum 1:3 – Clouds are the dust of his feet

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On July 22, 2013

In Christian, Nahum, Through the Bible

The last part of Nahum 1:3 reads “and the clouds are the dust of his feet.”

The Bible tells us of the pillar of the cloud that went in front of the people of God and led the Israelites out of Egypt, their land of physical bondage (Exodus 13:21-22; Nehemiah 9:12, 19); that went behind the people of God and protected them from their enemies (Exodus 14:19). The Lord looked from the pillar of fire and of the cloud at the army of the Egyptians and troubled them (Exodus 14:24). As Moses entered the tabernacle, the cloudy pillar descended and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and the Lord talked with Moses (Exodus 33:9, Deuteronomy 31:15), and called for Aaron and Miriam (Numbers 12:5), implying that God was there to be seen face to face (Numbers 14:14). During the transfiguration of Jesus, a cloud came and overshadowed the disciples and they feared as they entered into the cloud. From within the cloud, the voice of God was heard, promulgating Jesus as his beloved son again, and commanding the disciples to listen to him. After this the found Jesus alone. All this is indicative and proof of the fact that God is there (Jehovah Shammah) in the cloud (Ezekiel 48:35). In fact, the Bible informs that Jesus will return with clouds (Revelation 1:7) meaning that the clouds will be [like] the dust of his feet (Nahum 1:3). Revelation 10 speaks about a mighty angel of the Lord who came down from heaven, clothed with a cloud and a rainbow was upon his head and his face was as if it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire. Reading the description of this mighty angel, we can induce that this is a reference to the Lord Jesus Christ himself, for the rainbow upon his head represents the covenant of mercy that God promised to Noah, and the face shining like the sun and brandished feet are the same that are used to describe Jesus as his identified himself in the beginning of his revelation to John (Revelation 1:15-16).

Points to ponder:
When life seems to be clouded with problems and challenges, we can take solace in the fact that God goes ahead of us to lead us through the fog of life, and goes behind us to protect us from our enemies. He looks from within the cloudy situations of our life and troubles our troubles. In the clouds of life, we can hear God – we can hear his call of us and we can see him face to face if we are of a pure heart (that is sanctified by the blood of Jesus – Matthew 5:8). While we may be afraid to enter into the cloudy situations of life, if only we listen to God’s promulgation, we can hear him identify Jesus Christ as the Only begotten Son of God whom we must heed to (Mark 9:7). Jesus was in the cloud and is in the clouds of life that blocks our view of God. Jesus will return with the clouds and if we are cleansed by his blood (1 John 1:7), with a clean (pure) heart that he creates in us (Psalm 51:10), when we believe (John 3:16), as a new creature (2 Corinthians 5:17), we shall be able to see him face to face (Exodus 33:11; 1 Corinthians 13:12). Are you ready for the return of Jesus with the clouds as the dust of his feet, and to see him face to face?

Nahum 1:3 (KJV)
3 The Lord is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the Lord hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.

Mark 9:2-8 (KJV)
2 And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them.
3 And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.
4 And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus.
5 And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.
6 For he wist not what to say; for they were sore afraid.
7 And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.
8 And suddenly, when they had looked round about, they saw no man any more, save Jesus only with themselves.

Nahum 1:3 – In the whirlwind and in the storm

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On July 19, 2013

In Christian, Nahum, Through the Bible

The mid part of Nahum 1:3 reads “the Lord hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm.”

The direct reference to whirlwind here is to the Babylonian army that will come as a whirlwind (Habakkuk 3:14) and as a storm  and carry the Assyrians captive as chaff (Job 21:18). The Assyrians were cruel and afflicting the people of God (Judah), but the Lord has his way in the whirlwind and in the storm suggests that it will be God who is in control of the Babylonian army to destroy the Assyrian kingdom completely. Whirlwinds and storms are natural phenomena that cause destruction (Proverbs 1:27) and as the whirlwind passeth, the wicked is no more; but the righteous is an everlasting foundation (Proverbs 10:25). When the Babylonians captured Assyria and overthrew Nineveh, the Assyrians were utterly cut off (1:15) meaning that they were no more.

Secondarily, the Lord has his way in the whirlwind and in the storm affirms that God is in control of all things, including natural elements. He spoke to Job from a whirlwind  (Job 38:1), and assured that when Job life was tumultuous (like in a storm), he was still in control. Jesus commanded the storm to be calm and they obeyed (Mark 4:39-41).

Points to ponder:
People of God ought not to fret and be dejected, losing hope, when the wicked around them oppress them, for the Lord is in control. In the storms of our life, we can count on Jesus alone, who speaks to us from within the whirlwind and the one whom even the wind and the sea obey. If your life is stormy, call on Jesus, for when he commands the storm, even the great ones, to abate, it will. The Lord (indeed) has his way in the whirlwind and in the storm. 

Nahum 1:3 (KJV)
3 The Lord is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the Lord hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.

Mark 4:37-41 (KJV)
37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.
38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?
39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?
41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

Nahum 1:3 – Slow to Anger & Great in Power

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On July 18, 2013

In Christian, Nahum, Through the Bible

Nahum 1:3 reads “The Lord is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the Lord hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.”

The last part of Nahum 1:2 states that the Lord is furious (against his enemies) but the first part of Nahum 1:3 (this verse) states that the Lord is slow to anger. It is very important for us to see the contrast, because it establishes that though the Lord is furious, he is not in a fit of rage and anger, for the Lord is slow to anger and great in power. He alone is a great God (Psalm 86:10). Anger and power are a deadly combination when both are left uncontrolled. The prophet here makes it abundantly clear that though God will hold the wicked accountable, his anger is not baseless and that he is in total control of how to deal with each one. Had it been that God was quick to anger and great in power, we would not stand a chance, but thanks be to God that he is slow to anger despite his power.

Points to ponder:
What a solace it is to recognize that God is slow to anger, despite his power. Let us not continue to follow after idols and things that are not God and provoke him. Let us love the Lord our God, with ALL of our heart, with ALL of our soul, with ALL of our strength and with ALL of our mind (Luke 10:27).

Nahum 1:3 (KJV)
3 The Lord is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the Lordhath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.

Nahum 1:2 – The Jealous God

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On July 17, 2013

In Christian, Nahum, Through the Bible

Nahum 1:2 reads “God is jealous, and the Lord revengeth; the Lord revengeth, and is furious; the Lord will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies.”

Here prophet Nahum describes God as a jealous God and as one who takes revenge on his adversaries/enemies.

One one hand, jealousy is a vice when it is driven by covetousness and lust, while on the other, it is a virtue when it is driven by compassion and love. God’s jealousy is a godly (virtuous) jealousy (2 Corinthians 11:2), driven by compassion and love.

The two main contexts in the scripture, in which God is described as a jealous God are:
first, in the exclusivity of worship, and
second, in the defense of his people.

First and foremost, God commanded that we must not bow down to, nor serve any idols (Exodus 20:5), for he is a jealous God. We must not worship any other gods, for God is jealous (Exodus 34:14), and his name is Jealous (Exodus 34:14). He is a consuming fire (Deuteronomy 4:24) and his jealousy burns as fire (Psalm 79:5) consuming idolators and adulterers who go after things which are not God (be it our family, finance (work) or fun (pleasures)) (Deuteronomy 32:21) .

In the book of Nahum, the context of God’s jealousy stems from his compassion for his people (Joel 2:18), because the Assyrians had continually afflicted Judah, his people. As a jealous God, God is zealous to defend the people he loves against those who threaten and oppress them.

While God reserves his love for his people and friends, he reserves his wrath for their enemies, who are in turn God’s enemies. We know this because when Saul encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus, Jesus did not ask him “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting the Christians?” but instead asked “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” (Acts 9:4)

Points to ponder:
While god reserves his wrath for his enemies, he reserves his love for his friends, and Jesus called his disciples, not servants, but friends (John 15:15). Jesus said, greater love has no man than this, that he lays down his life for his friends and Jesus demonstrated such love that while we were still sinners (and enemies of God, deserving his wrath), he died for us.

God wants our exclusive allegiance to him for he commanded that we should worship no other gods for he is a jealous God (Exodus 34:14). God does not want us to be belong to someone else. He is jealous, not of you and me, but for you and me. Infact his name is Jealous and he is a jealous God (Exodus 34:14). He loves us and is compassionate toward you and me and will defend us against those who threaten and oppress us. God is jealous for and jealous over you and me.

Nahum 1:2 (KJV)
2 God is jealous, and the Lord revengeth; the Lord revengeth, and is furious; the Lord will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies.

Nahum 1:1 – The burden

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On July 16, 2013

In Christian, Nahum, Through the Bible

Nahum 1:1 reads “The burden of Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.” 

Nahum’s vision is referred to as a burden of (oracle against) Nineveh for what Nahum saw was the fall of Nineveh (the then capital city of Assyria) as the Babylonian/Medo armies would come and overthrow them. Nineveh had once repented in the past, when God’s prophet, Jonah had brought the warning from God (Jonah 1:2), and the burden of the wrath of God had been lifted (Jonah 3:1-10), but now they had returned to their evil ways, that their doom was felt by Nahum as a burden that Nineveh will have to bear, for God was jealous and zealous for his people (and all those oppressed) and would avenge their oppressors.

Points to ponder:
To have to bear the wrath of God for our evil ways is burdensome. Jesus bore the burden of sin and guilt upon himself and he wants us to be yoked with him, for his yoke is easy and his burden is light (Matthew 11:30). Have you placed your faith in Jesus or in other words, have you placed your burden on Jesus?

Nahum (Overview)

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On July 15, 2013

In Christian, Nahum, Through the Bible

Who was Nahum?
The Biblical book of Nahum was recorded by the prophet Nahum, whom the book refers to as an Elkoshite (1:1).

Where was Nahum from?
No one is certain as to the whereabouts of Elkosh. One theory suggests that this city, where Nahum was from, during the times of Jesus, came to be known as Capernaum, alongside the sea of Galilee for Capernaum means the village of Nahum.

When was the book of Nahum written?
It is a hypothesis that the book of Nahum was written sometime between 663 B.C. and 612 B.C. for Nahum refers to the fall of No Amon (or Thebes) in ancient Egypt (3:8) which happened in 663 B.C. while at the same time predicted the fall of Nineveh (Capital city of Assyria), which happened in 612 B.C., when the Babylonians overthrew Assyria.

Why was the book of Nahum written?
In 722 B.C., the Assyrians had taken the Northern kingdom of Israel captive and were pursuing to take over the land of Judah during the reign of king Hezekiah (701 B.C.). Once when the Assyrians had attempted to take Judah captive, God intervened miraculously and 185 thousand Assyrians in their camp were defeated by the angel of the Lord (Isaiah 37:36) and the evil king of Assyria, Sennacherib, returned to Nineveh. Now Assyria continued to pursue and oppress Judah. Not only did they afflict Judah, the Assyrians afflicted several other nations  and countries, as the book ends with the question as to “over whom has not the wickedness of the Assyrians passed over continually?” (3:19; Isaiah 37:18).

One one hand, while the book of Nahum may seem like it was written as a warning to the evil Assyrian kingdom, this book is more of a message of comfort of the Lord to the people of Judah. Jonah, the prophet had already brought the message of warning to the people of Nineveh, which they heeded and repented, a little over a century before Nahum. But the people of Assyria had returned to their violent, idolatrous, and evil ways and were oppressors of the people of God, when Nahum sees the vision of their utter destruction, a message that would bring comfort and solace to those who were being oppressed (such as Judah).  Nahum means “comfort (of Yahweh)” or “compassion” and the main theme in this book is that God is compassionate (slow to anger – 1:3) who will not afflict his people anymore for their own sins (1:12) by subjecting them longer under the hands of the oppressors (Assyria), but God will be the comfort of his people, as he takes revenge on those who have oppressed them (1:2).

What can we learn from it?
Chapter 1 portrays a JEALOUS God, while
chapter 2 and 3 portrays a JUDGING and JUST God.

There are a few key verses in this book and two of note are “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.” (Nahum 1:15) and “For now will I break his yoke from off thee, and will burst thy bonds in sunder.” (Nahum 1:13).

The first (Nahum 1:15) is a messianic prophecy that was fulfilled in Jesus, who brought good news to the earth, for the angels sang at his birth, “Peace on earth and goodwill to all men.” (Luke 2:14) and his feet walked the way to calvary’s mountain, who by his death on the Cross published a peace (Luke 1:17) that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7), completely destroying the wicked one (the devil) and utterly cutting him off i.e., destroying the devil and his works (1 John 3;8). Jesus brings freedom to all those who are spiritually in bondage in sin, by breaking the yoke from them and bursting their bonds in sunder. The Holy Spirit of Jesus is the comfort of God who is now sent unto us, when we believe in Jesus (John 14;16).

Points to ponder:
Do you have peace, that only Jesus can bring? Are you in comfort i.e., do you have the Comforter in you? Trust in the Lord and believe in Jesus Christ so that you may be comforted by his Holy Spirit and have the peace that passeth all understanding.

Nahum 1:13, 15 (KJV)
13 For now will I break his yoke from off thee, and will burst thy bonds in sunder.
…
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.

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