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May 17 + Daily readings & notes

DAY 137

Jonah wasn't the only one who didn't like Nineveh.  Check out The Bible Project's video about the prophet's book. 

DAILY READINGS

Nahum 1-3 & Psalm 132

DAILY NOTES

Nahum 1
  • Notice the characteristics of God that Nahum highlights.  
Nahum 2
  • Nahum speaks against Nineveh and the king of Assyria.
  • Nineveh is a "city of bloodshed" (3:1).  The prophet's words assure Judah that the Assyrian empire will no longer be such a force they must endure.
  • God will ensure that Assyria will not be able to "prey" upon other nations (vs. 13).
Nahum 3
  • Shame will come upon Nineveh.  
  • Nahum depicts Nineveh as locusts and grasshoppers.  
  • The book ends with the destruction of Nineveh.
Psalm 132
  • A psalm that rejoices that God has chosen David and Zion.

OTHER OBSERVATIONS

It's easy to see why some people don't like the book of Nahum.  Where's the hope?  Where's the reminder of justice?  It seems like Nahum is glorifying the overturn of Nineveh.  Well, he kind of is.

Maybe we should talk about whether that is a faithful thing to do.  Especially through the lens of Christ, most of us would have a hard time justifying some of Nahum's attitudes.  I like to consider it this way.  Replace Nineveh (Assyria) with ISIS.  Think about how you feel about them.  Think of how you might feel if you lived where they lived and had to endure their reign of terror every day.

Wouldn't you want God to intervene?  I still ask God for forgiveness for some of the thoughts I have about them.

But the overall theme of Nahum is that God is bothered by evil, too.  God will intervene and overrun evil.  I wish God was quicker.  But, who knows, maybe God is waiting on me to do something about evil, too.

The hope of the book, then, is that God does not glory in the violence of nations.  I suppose that should be a hope and a concern.

Stay blessed...john

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