The LORD's Commandment Concerning Nineveh Nahum 1:14

Nahum proclaimed the LORD said, “though they be quiet, and likewise many, yet thus shall they be cut down, when he shall pass through” as he referred to the city of Nineveh, and He added, “though” he had “afflicted” them, He would “afflict” them “no more”. In chapter one and verse fourteen of his prophesy, Nahum shared concerning the LORD's “commandment concerning” Nineveh where we read:

And the LORD has given a commandment concerning you, that no more of your name be sown: out of the house of your gods will I cut off the graven image and the molten image: I will make your grave; for you are vile.

The verse begins, “And the LORD has given a commandment concerning you, that no more of your name be sown:” Nahum began with the words, “And the LORD” who is “Yehovah or Jehovah the existing One and the proper name for the one true God” “has given a commandment” which means “a charge, appointment, commission and ordination” “concerning you” which refers to “the city of Nineveh”, “that no more of your name” which means “reputation, fame, glory and memorial” “be sown” or “scattered, producing and yielding seed”. The LORD was so adamant and thorough about destroying Nineveh, that they were never going to “reproduce” again, and their offspring would be no more.

The verse continues, “out of the house of your gods will I cut off the graven image and the molten image: I will make your grave; for you are vile.” Nahum added, “out of the house” or “dwelling places, shelters, habitations and abodes” “of your gods” which means “rulers, judges, angels and gods in the ordinary sense” “will I cut off” or “God will cut down, eliminate, kill and hew down” “the graven image” which refers to “idol or carved images” “and the molten image” or “poured, libation, melted, covering, veiled and woven stuff”: “I will make” which means “put, place, set, appoint and direct” “your grave” or “sepulcher and tomb”; “for you” which refers to “the wicked people of Nineveh” “are vile” which means “slight, trifling, of little account, abated, despicable and cursed”. Not only would the LORD end the proliferation of the “wicked” Ninevites, but he would also remove and destroy their “man-made gods” and their “houses of worship” as He prepared their “tombs” for them.

When we think through these words of Nahum, we notice the fierceness of our God. When God comes against His foes, none can stand against Him, and although the people within the city of Nineveh had once repented of their sins, they were now “vile” and worshiped “other gods”. This caused their demise. Those who reject Jesus Christ put themselves in a similar position eternally. Jesus Christ came to “save sinners”, and if people reject Him as their LORD and Savior, they have nothing other than God's wrath to bear. Let us be inspired and motivated by these words of Nahum, and may we share the “gospel” of Jesus Christ with as many as possible who are under this fate of destruction...before it is too late.

Next time Nahum shares about “the feet of him that brings good tidings”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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