Daily Bread for Sep 28, Nah 1-3

Today’s readings are Nah 1-3.

Nahum, most likely a man from Judah who may have been an exile in Assyria writes about Nineveh a hundred years after Jonah. In his day, Jonah prophesied and Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, repented (Jon 3:6-10). Apparently, Nineveh's repentance is not long-term and they, like so many others, turn away from God even though they have been recipients of His blessing.  As Jonah did, Nahum will prophesy destruction. This time the Assyrians will not repent.

Nahum's primary message is that God will have compassion on all who turn to Him. Those who are His enemies will receive His wrath. Assyria had already learned this lesson in Jonah’s time. But, by the time of Nahum, they had once again become the most powerful empire on earth. Now they have taken Israel captive and are hard after Judah.

Nahum's letter would be an encouragement to Judah that Assyria (Nineveh) would not prevail and a warning to Assyria that it would fall. As an example of a city thought invincible, Nahum uses the mighty city of Thebes (Luxor), which stood firm for over a thousand years and was considered impregnable before being ransacked and destroyed (Nah 3:8). Assyria would fare no better.

Nahum's story shows that God can bless anyone He wants to bless (Rom 9:15). However, His blessing is not an indication that those who receive it are saved. Assyria’s repentance in Jonah’s time was temporary, their gratitude for God’s grace was fleeting. Now that they’ve fallen back into their old ways, there will be a price to pay. This will be made clear when God's judgment falls on Assyria for oppressing His people.