After sharing
the warning of the LORD's judgment upon the city of Nineveh, Nahum
inserted, “the LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble”
and shared how the LORD
“knows them that trust in him”. In chapter one and verse
eight of his prophesy, Nahum continued with God's judgment upon
Nineveh as he wrote concerning “an overrunning flood”
where we read:
But with
an overrunning flood he will make an utter end
of the
place thereof, and darkness shall pursue his enemies.
The
verse begins, “But with an overrunning flood he will make
an utter end of the place thereof,...” Nahum
began with the word, “But”
which is a disassociation conjunction that means what is about to be
written takes precedence over what was just stated “with
an overrunning” or “passing,
marching, running and going over” “flood”
which means “downpour or outrageous overflowing” “he
will make” or “fashion,
accomplish, effect and produce” “an utter end”
which means “completion, termination, complete destruction and
annihilation” “of the place thereof”
which means “the standing place, station, post, office or place of
human abode”. When the LORD brings judgment upon the city of
Nineveh, it was to be like and “overflowing and water rushing
torrent” that would bring “total destruction” to the land and
the people who lived there.
The
verse goes on to say, “...and darkness shall pursue his
enemies.” Nahum continued,
“and darkness” or
“obscurity and secret place” “shall pursue”
which means “follow after, chase, attend closely upon, persecute
and harass” “his enemies”
or “adversaries, foes and hated ones”. Not only will the
“overflowing waters” of judgment pass upon Nineveh, but a
prevailing “obscurity” would “chase” the “enemies”
of the LORD as well.
When
we think through these words of Nahum, we see once again the power of
the LORD's fury upon people who rebel against Him. Though at one time
Nineveh repented under the declaration of Jonah the prophet, they
were now sunk back into their old ways. This was cause for God's
anger to arise and His indignation to be inflamed, and now like a
“torrential flood” He would not only destroy them, but would
“chase” His enemies as well. Those who reject Jesus Christ as
Savior have time to humble themselves and repent before He changes to
be their judge, but should they continue on the path of rejection of
Him, woe be to them for the impending “overrunning flood”
and the “darkness” that shall be upon them.
Next
time we see Nahum ask “what
do you imagine against the LORD?”,
so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
No comments:
Post a Comment