PT-2 “The Purpose of Judgment” (Nahum 2:1-2)

 

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 1/17/2026 9:11 AM

My Worship Time                                                          Focus:  PT-2 “The Purpose of Judgment”

Bible Reading & Meditation                                                                  Reference:  Nahum 2:1-2

            Message of the verses:  “The one who scatters has come up against you.  Guard the fortification, watch the road; Strengthen your loins, instill your power with exceeding courage.  For Yahweh will restore the majesty of Jacob Like the majesty of Israel, Even though those who empty them have emptied them to destruction and ruined their vine branches.”

“1 ¶  The scatterer has come up against you. Man the ramparts; watch the road; dress for battle; collect all your strength. 2  For the LORD is restoring the majesty of Jacob as the majesty of Israel, for plunderers have plundered them and ruined their branches.” (ESV)

            I continue this morning by quoting from John MacArthur’s commentary on Nahum:  “In predicting Assyria’s coming demise, Nahum rhetorically challenged the Ninevites to prepare their defenses.  First, they were to guard the fortification.  Since the Hebrew words for guard (natzon) and Fortification (matzon) sound similar, Nahum used these two terms to emphasize his call to the Ninevites to attempt to reinforce their defenses.  Second, the people were to watch the road.  With their city secured, they were to be on constant alert for the approaching enemy, to avoid a surprise attack (cf. 1 Sam. 4:13; Jer. 48:19).”

(cf. 1 Sam. 4:13; Jer. 48:19)

“13  When he arrived, Eli was sitting on his seat by the road watching, for his heart trembled for the ark of God. And when the man came into the city and told the news, all the city cried out.”

“19  Stand by the way and watch, O inhabitant of Aroer! Ask him who flees and her who escapes; say, ‘What has happened?’”

            “Third, Nahum rhetorically urged the people to strengthen their loins.  In keeping with the typical military imperative to ‘gird up the loins’ (cf. 1 Kings 4:29; 9:1; 1 Pet. 1:13), Nahum’s admonition to the Ninevite warriors was for them to summon their mental fortitude and physical strength for battle (cf. 2 Kings 9:1; Isa. 45:1.”

(cf. 1 Kings 4:29; 9:1; 1 Pet. 1:13)

“29 ¶  And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding beyond measure, and breadth of mind like the sand on the seashore,”

“1 ¶  As soon as Solomon had finished building the house of the LORD and the king’s house and all that Solomon desired to build,”

“13 ¶  Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

(cf. 2 Kings 9:1; Isa. 45:1

“1 ¶  Then Elisha the prophet called one of the sons of the prophets and said to him, "Tie up your garments, and take this flask of oil in your hand, and go to Ramoth-gilead.”

“1 ¶  Thus says the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have grasped, to subdue nations before him and to loose the belts of kings, to open doors before him that gates may not be closed:”

“Fourth, the citizens of Nineveh were to instill their power with exceeding courage, infusing their fighting ability (power) with the utmost boldness (courage).  The Ninevites were not merely to be bold but to posses exceeding courage, having the greatest degree of ferocity a fighter could muster.  By linking the terms strong and courageous, Nahum referenced a theme commonly found in Scriptures regarding warfare (cf. Deut. 31:6, 7; Josh 1:6, 7, 9; Ps. 31:24).  With this familiar refrain, Nahum urged the Assyrians to try to defend their capital.”

(cf. Deut. 31:6, 7; Josh 1:6, 7, 9; Ps. 31:24)

“6  Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you."

7  Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, "Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land that the LORD has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall put them in possession of it.”

“6  Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them.

7  Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.”

9  Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.’”

24  Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the LORD!”

Spiritual Meaning for my Life Today:  It seems to me that what we are looking at in these verses is having a plan, and so I must have godly plans in order to attack the things thar are going on in my life.

My Steps of Faith for Today:  The Psalmist speaks about having a plan by writing  “Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the LORD!”

From David Jeremiah’s words of wisdom “The more we trust the sovereignty of heaven, the less we fear the calamities of earth. (Author Unknown)

“I will lift up my eyes to the Hills—from whence comes my help?  My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. (Psalm 121:1-2)

1/17/2026 9:40 AM