SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 12/5/2025 10:57
AM
My
Worship Time Focus:
“Intro to
Nahum”
PT-1 HISTORICAL CONTEXT
“Nahum delivered his prophecy
concerning the destruction of Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, likely between
663 BC and 654 BC. At this time, Assyria
was still a powerful empire that dominated the ancient Near East under the
reign of Ashurbanipal (ca. 669-663 BC.) Northern Israel had been exiled by
Assyria (722 BC, cf. 2 Kings 17), while Judah, under King Manasseh (ca. 695-642
BC; cf. 2 Kings 21), remained in a politically precarious situation, facing a
constant threat from Assyria.
“The Assyrian threat of cruel
subjugation defined the ancient Near East for much of its history. The Black Obelisk depicts Shalmaneser III
(ca. 859-824 BC) receiving tribute from Jehu, the defeated king of Israel (ca.
841 BC; cf. 2 Kings 9-10; Hos. 1:4).
This Assyrian king is also pictured in various images surrounded by
piles of dismembered heads, hands, and feet, along with bodies impaled on
stakes.” “JoAnna M. Hoyt, Amos, Jonah, & Micah, Evangelical
Exegetical Commentary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham, 2018) 354.” “An Assyrian relief from Sennacherib’s
campaigns (ca. 701 BC) likewise portrays a pile of heads at the feet of an
Assyrian soldier, while another shows Assyrians skinning their enemies.” “Ibid.,
354-55” Known for its violent war
practices, Assyria was infamous for bloodthirsty brutality.
“Assyrian aggression and hostility temporarily
subsided during the reign of Israel’s king Jeroboam II (ca. 793-758 BC). During that time, Assyria turned its focus inward due to internal conflict and
external pressure from an enemy nation Uratu.” “Daniel DeWitt Lowery, ‘Assyria,’
The Lexham Bible Dictionary (WA: Lexham, 2016); and Brian Neil Peterson,
‘Uratu,’ The Lexham Bible Dictionary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham,
2016). “In addition, the Assyrian
generation of this time included the Ninevites who repented at the preaching of
Jonah and turned to worship the God of Israel.
However, Israel’s reprieve from the Assyrian threat was
short-lived. In the generations after
Jonah, the Ninevites returned to their old ways. The Assyrian army conquered the northern
kingdom of Israel in 722 BC and took the people into captivity.
“After Shalmaneser V (ca. 727-722
BC; 2 Kings 17:1-5; Hos. 10:14) besieged the northern kingdom of Israel, Sargon
II (cf. 722-705 BC; cf. 2 Kings 17:6; Isaiah 20:1) completed the conquest and
sent the nation into exile (722 BC). The
focus of Assyria’s wrath then shifted to the southern kingdom of Judah (ca. 701
BC; cf. 2 Kings 18:13; 2 Chr. 32:1; Isa. 36:1-39:8). During the reign of Hezekiah over Judah (ca.
715-686 BC), Hezekiah rebelled against Assyria (cf. 2 Kings 18:7), even though
Judah had previously served the Assyrians during the reign of Ahaz (ca. 735-715
BC; cf. 16:7-9). Provoked by this
rebellion, Sennacherib (ca. 705-681 BC 0 marched against Judah and conquered
forty-six cities surrounding Jerusalem.” “James Bennett Pritchard, ed., The
Ancient Near Eastern Texts Relating to the Old Testament, 3rd
ed., with Supplement (Princeston: Princeston University Press, 1969), 287-89.” “Even though Hezekiah subsequently sought to
appease Sennacherib with tribute (cf. 18:13-16), the pagan king demanded
unqualified surrender (cf. 18:17-24).
Laying siege to Jerusalem, the Assyrian commander Rabshakeh threatened
the people of Judah, even contending that Yahweh was not able to defend Jerusalem (cf.
18:13-19:13). This threat, however, was
quelled when God sent the Angel of Yahweh to put to death 185,000 Assyrian
soldiers in one night (cf. 2 Kings 19:35-36; Isa. 37:36).”
I have to say that for me this kind
of typing is more difficult that it was a few years ago, and the problem is
with all of the dates and things like that so I think it best to stop at this
time and then pick it up tomorrow, Lord willing.
Spiritual
Meaning for my Life Today: God is always in control of things as seen in
the story told of the death of 185,000 Assyrians after Hezekiah went into his
room and prayed that the Lord would give Judah relief from Assyria. God surely answered his prayers.
My
Steps of Faith for Today: I continue to trust the Lord to
care for my wife’s cancer in a way that will bring glory to His Name.
12/5/2025
11:42 AM
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