Bible reading & studying in one year 12/24 /2021 Nahum 1-3 by Rev.Katherine Liu Bruce

 Bible reading & studying in one year 12/24 /2021 Nahum 1-3

  by Rev.Katherine Liu Bruce

 Christian Arts Ministries : Biblical precepts& Gospel music/ pastoral ministry & counseling

The prophet Nothing is known of Nahum ( whose name means “Consolation” ) except that he came from Elkosh, which was possible Capernaum . His message against Nineveh was given to Judah, since the Northern Kingdom, Israel, had already been taken captive.

The theme Nineveh will be destroyed! Almost every verse from 1:15-3:19 describes that event, which took place in 612 B.C. The Ninevites (Assyrians) concerted through the preaching of Jonah (Morethan one hundred years before Nahum wrote) had not transmitted their knowledge of the true God to their children, and the people had quickly reverted to their cruel and heathen practices. They had destroyed Samaria (the Northern Kingdom, Israel) in 722 and nearly captured Jerusalem in 701. Nahum briefly describes Nineveh’s wickedness in 3:1,4. God had to destroy such an apostate people.    

The content in the chapter 1 contains a magnificent description of the character of God (vv.2-8). Reading chapter2, one can almost hear the noise of the battle of Nineveh.

“The Lord is a jealous and avenging God; the Lord takes vengeance and is filled with wrath. The Lord takes vengeance on his foes and maintains his wrath against his enemies. The Lord is slow to anger and great in power. The Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished. His way is in the whirlwind and the storm, and clouds are the dust of his feet. He rebukes the sea and dries it up; he makes all the rivers run dry.(vv.1-4)

The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him, but with an overwhelming flood he will make an end of Nineveh. He will pursue his foes into darkness.(v.7)

Look, there on the mountains, the feet of one who brings good news, who proclaims peace! Celebrate your festivals, O Judah, and fulfill your vows. No more will the wicked invade you; they will be completely destroyed. (v.15)

          In this section God is characterized as all knowing (v.1), righteous (v.2.), longsuffering (v.3a), all-powerful(vv.3b-6), good (v.7), and holy(v.8).The sacking of Nineveh by the Babylonians and Medes would be good news for Judah. This occurred in 612 B.C.

 

Bibliography,

Ryrie, Charles C. The Ryrie Study Bible (NIV).Chicago, IL: The Moody Bible Institute, 1986