Nahum 1:1-15
Wednesday, 09 August 2023
“Behold, on the mountains the feet of him who brings good news, who announces peace.” -Nahum1:15
The theme of this book is Nineveh-when God warned the people of Nineveh through Prophet Jonah, they heeded and repented and God demonstrated His great compassion by not judging the city. However, after about a century Nineveh went back to idol worship and violence! God sent another prophet, Nahum to preach to Nineveh; but this time they ignored Nahum’s warning.
Understanding the background of the text, will help us capture what God is trying to convey through today’s reading. The people of the northern kingdom of Israel had been sinning grievously against God and ignoring the warnings of punishment given through God’s prophets. Finally, God used the nation of Assyria (whose capital city is Nineveh), to destroy the nation and carry the people into captivity. A century after the fall of Samaria in 722 B.C., the book of Nahum was written to convey a major truth that even when God uses a nation for His own purposes of judgment, this does not excuse that nation from its own guilt before the Lord. [NKJV Study Bible]
In today’s reading we can see God’s warning against Nineveh! Verse 8 reads: “But with an overflowing flood He will make a complete end of its site.” Nineveh was a highly protected city – its walls were 100 feet tall and 150 feet wide! But God is great (Nahum 1:2-5) and mightier than any mighty structure!! History tells us that the Tigris River overflowed and when the water came in contact with the mud bricks of that “mighty wall”, the soaked bricks crumbled and the wall fell! Through that gap the Babylonian army entered the city and captured it.
The picture of Nineveh is typical to anybody who once repented and then decided to live a life contrary to that. Many people believe that once saved is always saved. They believe that after repenting they can live in any manner!! The Bible is very clear that once you repent and commit your life to Jesus, you must live for Him! Rev.20:15 records: “And if anyone’s name is not written in the book of life…” This tells us that when we get saved our names are written in the Book of Life and only those whose names are in the book of life will enter heaven.
Once the name is written in the book of life, is it guaranteed that we will enter into heaven? Rev.3:5 “He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.” This tells us very clearly that only those who are overcomers will enter into heaven. And we become overcomers through Christ Jesus -1 Cor.15:57, 2 Cor.2:14 & Rom.8:37. So one needs to abide in Christ and through the power of the Holy Spirit overcome the power of sin, world and the devil and thus enter into heaven. Otherwise the name can be wiped out from the book as the above verse tells us—like the city of Nineveh, who once repented and was used by God to punish God’s own children, was wiped out when they backslid and resorted to violence and apostasy!!
Rev.21:27 says categorically “…and nothing unclean, and no one who practices abomination and lying, shall ever come into it, but only whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.”
Hebrews 6:4-8, tells us of the state of a person who once enjoyed the goodness of God and have gone back. If that person continually rejects the call of God for repentance, then he cannot be renewed to repentance and will be destroyed having been denied the access to heaven! Nevertheless, our key verse gives hope for such people and a promise that if you repent and live according to God’s standard, you will have peace with God through Jesus Christ(Romans 5:1).
Think on it: “Jesus’ blood can make the vilest sinner clean!” (Hymn- Yes I know)
Listen: 'Yes I know'