Happy Friday my dear friends. I hope you have an exciting weekend planned. They always go by so fast.
Refining ministries have been conducting short studies over minor prophets via Zoom. We take one chapter a week, read it on our own, dig into deeper meaning through personal resources, and then come together and discuss. This has been a delightful experience.
Over the past three weeks we have been focusing upon Nahum. I know—I hear you—why in the world Nahum? I thought the same thing when we studied Obadiah and now when my mind wonders into the judgement zone, I remind myself of the takeaway from Obadiah. The powerful messages that have surfaced from many overlooked books in the Bible has been transforming thoughts, actions, and hearts!
Today, I would like to share with my learning from Nahum.
Let me start with a bit of history: After studying all three chapters, I was appalled from the evil and violent empire of Assyria. They had become a force to be reckoned with and gained major worldly power and possessions through oppression and direct disobedience to God. Their destruction and deception gained them outward attractiveness because of the status they displayed. Nineveh, the capitol, felt protected by its enormous wall and had allowed their ego to reach great heights. They had overtaken the ten northern tribes and were working on a plan to obtain the two southern ones. Disgusting cruelty and gross acts can barely scratch the surface of the levels they went to gain worldly power.
Nahum warns Nineveh that their time is up. God’s justice is coming and His righteous anger will be carried out in the days ahead. They refused to take refuge in the Lord. They wanted to worship their gods and trust in themselves. In chapter 3, verse 19 Nahum tells them, “Nothing can heal you; your wound is fatal. All who hear the news about you clap their hands at your fall, for who has not felt your endless cruelty?” Their lust of being “top dog” and doing whatever it takes to get there has now caused a fatal blow to their existence. OUCH!
Our sweet Father gives us a choice of how we want to live. Also, He is the only one who knows our inner part (heart). His goal is to remove sin in our lives and bring inner peace. (Deut. 4:24; 5:9). So, when I went to the Lord in prayer to get His perspective on Nahum, this is what He revealed to me:
- What choices am I making that may lead me to destruction?
- Who have I possible destroyed, injured, or scarred with my words or actions?
- How can I abstain from allowing worldly ways to creep into my life?
- Is Chapter 2 a prescriptive of a pathway I am traveling?
- Am I obsessed with power, little gods, or anything else which will lead me to sin and a hardened heart?
OVERALL TAKEAWAY:
Put my trust only in God. (Nahum 3:8-10)
Deal with sin because it cuts off my fellowship with God.
Failure to follow God leads to painful consequences. Possibly, a fatal blow!
Yes, all this from the little book of Nahum. Powerful-life changing wisdom and advice! Come join us June 14th as we begin a new three-week study over Habakkuk. I promise you too will have a mighty takeaway and you will always remember Habakkuk. Major wisdom through minor prophets is worth embracing!
Refining [Spiritual Growth] 
Excellent post! Yes, I gasped at the thought of a study on Nahum, but the wisdom you gleaned from this tiny book blessed me. The questions are piercing, but so needful to contemplate! Thank you!
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Yes-the perspective God gave was definitely piercing! I have really enjoyed the study of the minor prophet books.
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Too often we want to skirt by these minor prophets. But they often have major lessons for us. Thanks for sharing your insights from Nahum!
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