Doom Or Deliverance

In this passage of Scripture, God is placing judgment on a sinful world. How long will today's Christians just sit idle on the seat of do nothing before they band together and pray for repentance and deliverance?

Assyria had been a powerful nation. They were proud of themselves at how they conquered various lands and people. Like Jonah years before him, Nahum preached to the city of Nineveh. The purpose was to proclaim judgment on Assyria from God for their wickedness, and to give comfort to the people of Judah of whom the Assyrians defeated.

The Patience and the Power of God:

Jonah had preached to the city of Nineveh a hundred years prior. Now Nahum was called to go to Nineveh to preach repentance. Assyria was a powerful force that appeared to be unable to beat. Their mighty army had already defeated Israel and was beginning to cause problems with Judah.

• Zephaniah 2:13, And he will stretch out his hand against the north, and destroy Assyria; and will make Nineveh a desolation, and dry like a wilderness.

Only God can be jealous and vengeful (Romans 12:19). When we mortal beings take jealousy and vengeance into our own hands, we are showing our selfishness and our disobedience to God. He requires our allegiance as He performs punishment on those that oppress His children.

• Deuteronomy 32:35, To me belongeth vengeance and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.

It may seem that God is slow to anger, and the Scripture says just that. He will provide punishment to those who harm His people and chastisement to His children. Some may see the evil doers get away with some things and avoid God. They lack the patience to stand still and see the salvation of the Lord (Exodus 13:14). Judgment will come because God does not let sin continue without discipline. No one can defy God. How could Assyria challenge Him? How can anyone challenge God?

“He rebuketh the sea.”

These three places mentioned are the fertile lands of the area. A drought was to come. 'The mountains quake at him'. Of course, he can rebuke the sea, of course mountains quake and hills melt. God made it all. He controls it all. God may be responsible for, or allows the natural phenomena that occur, but we cannot hold God responsible for any human fatalities.

• Revelation 6:17, For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

Those who believe in God have His peace and security. Those that do not will receive a punishment like unto fire. But to the enemies, on overrunning flood and darkness will befall them. It is unclear who the “wicked counsellor” is. Maybe the king of Assyria during Nahum’s time, Ashurbanipal, maybe Sennacherib who had defied and rebelled against God openly (2 Kings 18:13-35), or to no specific person. The main point to look at is that due to Nineveh’s rebellion, they would be destroyed.

• Malachi 4:1, For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.

Judah to be Rescued:

Nahum presented good news to Judah. He prophesied how their bonds would be broken the destruction of Assyria and they would never rise again. Judah should be offering praises to God for their deliverance that is to come.

• Psalm 107:14-15, He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder. Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

How does this apply to us today? Although our enemies will attack us, we are not to take up vengeance against them, that is for God to handle. No weapon can prevail against us, they may hurt but it will not destroy us.

• Isaiah 54:17, No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.

In addition, there is a set of armor that we can put on and a weapon of prayer that we can use (Ephesians 6:10-18).