Though the
people of Nineveh fortify themselves with “strongholds” made of
“clay, mortar and brickklin”, according to Nahum the
prophet, “the fire” shall “devour” them, “the
sword shall cut” them “off” and “eat them up
like the cankerworm” even if they “multiply”
themselves as the “locusts”. In chapter three and verse
sixteen of His prophesy, Nahum shared concerning “multiplying”
their “merchants”
and the “cankerworms” that would spoil them as well. We
read:
You have
multiplied your merchants above the stars of heaven:
the
cankerworm spoils, and flies away.
The
verse begins, “You have multiplied your merchants above
the stars of heaven:” Nahum
began with the words, “You have multiplied”
which means “become great, many and numerous” “your
merchants” or “those in
Nineveh who went about trafficking and trading” “above
the stars” which refers to
“with numerous progeny, personification and blazing” “of
heaven” or “the abode of the
stars, the visible universe and atmosphere; the abode of God”. The
people of Nineveh were “greatly increased” with “traders and
businesses” which were so abundant it was though they reached into
“heaven” itself.
The
verse continues, “the cankerworm spoils, and flies away.”
Nahum added, “the
cankerworm” or “young locust
or caterpillar” “spoils”
which means “strips, invades, dashes, raids and spreads out”,
“and flies away”
or “cause to fly to and fro shining forth”. Regardless of how
abundantly wealthy the Ninevites were economically, they would be
“spoiled” by
“cankerworms” and their riches would simply “fly
away”.
When
we think through these words of Nahum, we see how the wealth and
riches of the people of Nineveh would not be sufficient to resist
their enemy. Thus it shall be with those who have the “riches” of
this world and are not rich toward God. Though monetarily they excel
and seem to be secure within their wealth, none of their money will
help them avoid the judgment of God. Jesus Christ is the only
“appeasing sacrifice” for God Almighty's wrath, and those who are
wise submit to Him and acknowledge Him as Lord. Let all who read
these words yield to the Holy Spirit who draws any who will to this
truth.
Next
time Nahum shares about “the
crowned and the captains”,
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.
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