SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 12/6/2025 9:45
AM
My
Worship
Time Focus: “Intro to Nahum”
THEMES
I continue this morning to quote
from John MacArthur’s introduction to the book of Nahum as he writes “Various
theological themes appear in the prophecy of Nahum, filling out the purpose of
the book.
Judgment
on Sinners
“The overarching focus of Nanum’s prophecy is God’s
judgment against Nineveh for its unrepentant wickedness. Nahum opened the book by emphatically
declaring that God would execute vengeance against His adversaries (Nah.
1:2). The Lord stated that because
Nineveh had devised evil against Him (1:9), He had taken His stand and was
against Nineveh (2:13). The major part
of the prophecy delivers a detailed description of the coming destruction of
the city. While raging torrents would
flood the city (1:8; 2:6), fire would also burn it to ashes (2:13; 3:13,
15). Though the Ninevites would prepare
themselves for war (2:3-5; 3:12-17), they would ultimately flee in search of
safety (2:8; 3:3, 7, 18). Just as the
Assyrians had devastated other nations (3:8-10), Nineveh too would be conquered
and decimated (3:7, 11). As a result,
surrounding nations would rejoice and celebrate its demise (3:19).
“As Nahum foretold Nineveh’s
imminent destruction, he also used language that alluded to end-time
prophecies. For example, he portrayed
Nineveh as a locust horde that assaulted Israel (Nah. 3:16-17), just as Joel
prophesied regarding Israel’s enemies at the end of the age (cf. Joel 2). But Nahum also prophesied that Nineveh itself
would be destroyed by an enemy that attacked like a locust swarm (Nah.
3:15). In similar fashion, Joel
predicted that God will afflict Israel’s future enemies just as they afflict
Israel (Joel 2:25; 3:1-21). By using
similar language and imagery, Nahum indicated that his prophecy concerning
Nineveh was the near prophecy that foreshadowed and guaranteed the distant
prophecies given by Joel.
Comfort
For Israel
“While the focus of Nahum’s prophecy
was divine judgment on Nineveh, his message also intended to provide hope for
God’s people. The righteous are
comforted by knowing that the Lord will hold the wicked accountable for their
evil deeds. God’s holy justice will
prevail. Providing this comfort, Nahum
declared that the Lord is good and a stronghold for those in need (Nah.
1:7). Moreover, He knows those who take
refuge in Him (Nah. 1:7). While Israel’s affliction was the result of their
rebellion against the Lord (2 Kings 17:6-17), God nonetheless promised that He
would remove this affliction (Han. 1:12).
He added that Nineveh’s destruction would be good news for Israel (1:15). Similarly, describing the fall of Nineveh,
God stated that the peoples will rejoice because the wicked will be eliminated (3:19). As his name indicates, Nahum brought comfort
through his prophecy of God’s judgment on Assyria. The Lord further promised that He would
restore the majesty of Jacob and Israel (2:2).
“As noted above, Nahum not only
predicted events that would be fulfilled in the near future; he also used
language that referenced end-time prophecies.
When he stated, “Behold, on the mountains the feet of him who
proclaims good news” (Nah. 1:15), he alluded to the prophecy of Isaiah
which anticipated the good news of God’s eschatological triumph (cf. Isa.
53:7). Nahum’s description of Nineveh’s
demise was the near prophecy that foreshadowed and confirmed the distant
prophecy given by Isaiah. In this way,
Nahum offered comfort to God’s people, not only regarding what the Lord would
do to Assyria in the near-term, but what He will do for Israel in the end.”
12/7/2025
9:44 AM
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