Skip to main content

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

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

January 27 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 27 We'll be reading about atonement today.  T oday's video helps make sense of that biblical theme. DAILY READINGS Exodus 30-31 & Psalm 27 DAILY NOTES Exodus 30:6 Everything has its place.   Exodus 30:10 Once a year would be Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement). Exodus 12-15 The Lord's offering is required of everyone equally (of the appropriate age).  Strangely enough, there is a designation of rich and poor.  Everyone has just come from Egypt.  How has that distinction arisen?   Exodus 31:13 It's interesting to compare how the idea of sabbath here relates to previous mentions of it.   Exodus 31:18 Moses had written the words down.  Now, with merely his finger, God has provided the tablets for all to remember the covenant that has been made.   Psalm 27 Have you ever prayed and prayed and prayed for something?  The psalmist seems to know the feeling.  His final adm...
Post a Comment
Read more

April 11 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 101 The great prophet Elijah leaves the scene (He'll appear again later.  Do you remember where?).  Elisha takes his place and immediately begins to act as prophet among the people.   DAILY READINGS 2 Kings 1-3 & Psalm 101 DAILY NOTES 2 Kings 1 King Ahaziah is injured and he wants to know if he'll live.  He seeks input from the prophets of Baal-zebub.  Elijah finds out and interrupts Ahaziah's men from going to the prophets.   Notice that Elijah, that hairy man, is divinely protected by the captain and his men.   Ahazia never hears from the prophets.  Elijah speaks directly to him to tell him that he will surely die. 2 Kings 2 Where did the idea of a whirlwind come from?  Did anyone expect that Elijah would be taken "to heaven by a whirlwind"?  Everyone seems to know that today Elijah will be gone. Elisha's command to the band of prophets seems to indicate his sense of loss but also a vigor...
Post a Comment
Read more

March 27 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 86 Ever notice these books don't end with happily ever afters?   Remember that we are reading an entire story of God told over many years.  The individual books help us follow that story, but we do well in remembering it's still one complete story. Today, we're finishing 1 Samuel.  As we read, we'll see how far Saul has fallen.  Ultimately, what God said would happen, happens. DAILY READINGS 1 Samuel 28-31 & Psalm 86 DAILY NOTES 1 Samuel 28 This chapter is devoted entirely to Saul's encounter with a medium. Notice that Saul had previously expelled mediums and wizards.  This could be a sign of his former faithfulness. Saul's fear overwhelmed him.  He is up against a Philistine army he does not think he can defeat. Since Saul could not hear from God, he seeks a medium to "inquire of her."  What did he want to know (from God or the medium)?  He asks Samuel what he should do.  So, is that asking whether to...
Post a Comment
Read more