Nahum 3:7-19. In today’s reading we see the rest of Nahum’s prediction of the destruction of the unfaithful Assyria. He compares Assyria to No-amon. This was an important city of Egypt. Egypt had been a long time powerhouse in the Middle East. But even an old and powerful nation like Egypt was immune from destruction. Egypt’s power was not limitless. If a city like No-amon could be conquered with natural barriers to invasion (surrounded by water) how much more vulnerable was Ninevah. In verse 13 we see another problem, not only was Ninevah vulnerable but the people were afraid. In verse 17 we also see that the guards and soldiers are ready to run away at the first sign of trouble. Finally in verse 18 we see that the leaders of Assyria were “asleep” on the job. So Assyria would fall, and it did in 612 BC about 40 years after Nahum predicted it. In the end every one will be happy over the destruction of Assyria because they have been an evil influence in the world.
Although there was no hope for Assyria there is hope for us. In the book of Job, Job was feeling pretty desperate. He didn’t know why there was so much trouble in his life and he wanted God’s help. He cried out to God but he also knew he had someone crying out with him. He called that person his “advocate”. John told the early church that they should not disobey God but that even if they did that they had an “advocate” too; Jesus. An the basis of Jesus appeal to God is the fact that he paid the price for our disobedience and rebellion (sin) personally. That is what today, “Good Friday”, is al about. Sometimes I teach a lesson on Good Friday about Good Friday and the lesson is titled “Good For Who?” Certainly dying on the cross was not good for Jesus in the way we normally thing about good. But the author of Hebrews tells us that Jesus endured the cross because of the joyful outcome it would bring (Hebrews 12:2). The lesson we can learn for the twin books of Jonah and Nahum is that sin is serious and has serious consequences. But there is hope for those who will turn back to God. The nation of Assyria was destroyed never to rise again but each person has a chance to miss out on personal destruction by putting their faith and trust in what Jesus did for them centuries ago. This truly is a ‘good Friday” for all who trust Jesus as the only way to eternity with God.
God it is amazing that seeing me in heaven with you would give you so much joy that you were willing to be crucified for me. Amazing. I just don’t know what to say. Thank you Jesus. Help my life be one of gratitude each day. Thank you.