Kingdom Keys - Nahum Series

So maybe you’ve heard it said, ‘read your bible’ so you tried and failed. Our hope as leaders is that all of us will pick up God’s word and come to understand the true nature of God. After all, the bible is God’s Word curated over centuries detailing His nature, His will, the meaning of life and humanity’s historical interactions with Him. The Bible details the hidden keys to the Kingdom. Hence, the reason we are reviewing a new book each week.

This week we move ahead to the book of Nahum. His name means “comfort” and lived from 670-620 BC.

The book of Nahum is about the prophet Nahum, and the prophecy that he receives about the city of Nineveh. We first hear about the city of Nineveh in the book of Jonah. The prophet Jonah receives a message from the Lord, to preach to the people of Nineveh. The people of Nineveh end up repenting because of the news that Jonah shares with them, and they begin to fear the Lord. Destruction does not fall upon the city, at that time.

However, 100 years later we see that Nineveh had returned to their old ways. Their repentance did not last very long. The Assyrians were very powerful during this time and were conquering other regions, including Israel. They were wicked in the eyes of the Lord, not only were they terrorizing other countries, but their capital city was full of temples to other Gods, filled with treasure from places they had conquered, and they were drunk with power. The Lord had been patient with the people from Nineveh, but now he had a different message for them. Nahum had a vision about the destruction of the city of Nineveh, and he was sent by the Lord to deliver this message to them. The message was simply that soon they would face their downfall because of the evil that they have been part of.

A little while after Nahum’s vision, internal conflict begins to break out in Nineveh among the leaders. In addition, the Medes and the Babylonians make a deal to attack Nineveh. There is a river that flows through the city, and a dam was built to restrict water flow. Eventually, the dam is destroyed, and the raging water was too much for the walls of Nineveh to handle. The Medes and Babylonians then were able to enter the city and destroy it. After this, Nineveh is never the same again. It exists for a period of time after its destruction but within a couple of years is completely wiped out.

The words of Nahum from the first chapter eerily predict the end of the arrogant nation drunk with power:

The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him, 8 but with an overwhelming flood he will make an end of Nineveh; he will pursue his foes into the realm of darkness.

What comfort the people of God, the believers must have felt in hearing these words?

Comfort is defined as: the easing or alleviation of a person's feelings of grief or distress or pain or constraint.

The people of God were being reminded that God cares for those who live in recognition of Him. He will make right, the wrongs of the world. In other words, “Help is on the way.” look down to verse 12 as Nahum shares more prophecy:

This is what the Lord says:

“Although they have allies and are numerous, they will be destroyed and pass away.

Although I have afflicted you, Judah, I will afflict you no more.

13 Now I will break their yoke from your neck and tear your shackles away.”

14 The Lord has given a command concerning you, Nineveh:

“You will have no descendants to bear your name. I will destroy the images and idols

that are in the temple of your gods. I will prepare your grave, for you are vile.”

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

There are two contexts to be aware of when reading this. The first has to do with the fate of the Assyrian nation and the capital of Nineveh. We know the Assyrians were routed but until 1845, the nation's capital couldn’t be identified because it was so completely destroyed. The second context is Nahum’s foreshadowing the coming of Jesus and His willingness to break the power of evil and achieve final victory at His second coming.

So what are we to learn from this scripture written over 2500 years ago?

Have you ever wondered why ungodly systems, people prosper and religions prosper as we try to live fully surrendered to God, to be His servants; or have you ever wondered if you’re on the wrong side?