As this series continues through Nahum 1, I’d like to point out that the rest of this chapter (verses 7-15) seems to talk about two key topics, switching back and forth between them:
- One point is that Nineveh is going to be destroyed by God. Although God will use another nation – or a combination of nations – to conquer Assyria (ref. Ham & Hahlen), this will be God’s doing. After all, Acts 17:24-28 reminds us that God determines nations’ times and boundaries. He gave Assyria its time and place, and He will take it away (for good reasons).
- The other point is that God will free Judah. Despite their current condition of oppression under Assyria, resulting from God’s discipline of them, their current state will only be for a time. There is hope for Judah.
To start with, though, here’s a message about God’s goodness. Judah can look forward with confidence to God’s faithfulness, and can put their trust in Him.
The LORD is good,
a refuge in times of trouble.
He cares for those who trust in him,
Nahum 1:7 NIV
Despite the fact that many physical human fortifications have fallen (and will fall) in the centuries around the time of Nahum’s message, here, God is described as a “refuge” (NIV) or “stronghold” (NASB), who provides safety beyond any of them.
Nahum 1:8-11 explains that Nineveh’s ongoing attempts to fight against God – the God of the Hebrews, the great I AM – are futile.
but with an overwhelming flood
he will make an end of Nineveh;
he will pursue his foes into the realm of darkness.
Nahum 1:8 NIV
I’m not sure who the one from verse 11 who “plots evil against the LORD” is (maybe the King of Nineveh, per verse 15), but their plan is not going to work.
By the way, apparently (per Ham & Hahlen, p.35), two “ancient historians” say that one of the great rivers of the Middle East (probably the Tigris) was diverted into Nineveh, flooding it. Verse 8 of Nahum 1 here was not necessarily just a metaphor!
And, if the two main topics of this section are God’s punishment of the Assyrians and His delivery of His people (as proposed above), verses 12-13 show how the two are tied together.
This is what the LORD says:
“Although they have allies and are numerous,
they will be destroyed and pass away.
Although I have afflicted you, Judah,
I will afflict you no more.
Now I will break their yoke from your neck
and tear your shackles away.”
Nahum 1:12-13 NIV
God sees and understands the nature of Assyria’s power – a power of political and/or military might – but that nation will be destroyed. In doing so, Judah will be freed from Assyria’s bondage. God’s destruction of Nineveh – the overthrowing of the Assyrians – is how He will free His people.
And, God doesn’t just say that some new nation will continue to oppress Judah a little bit less. He describes breaking a yoke, like oxen might use to pull a plow. And, He describes tearing away shackles (or tearing them to pieces – NASB): not just loosening them up a little bit, but tearing them away.
If you feel like this broken world has gotten you tied up in knots, and you’re trying to find freedom, don’t just settle for a quick escape that dulls the pain, and don’t run to something else that will enslave you in some other way. Look to God, the yoke-breaker and chain-tearer. Only He can utterly destroy the things that keep you from living the life of freedom and joy that He created you for.
Maybe you don’t believe that God wants the best for you, or that He has the power to overcome anything that is pulling you down in a sinful, broken world. If so, I encourage you to consider the words of Jesus Christ…
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
John 10:10 NIV
From Sunday School lesson prepared for August 6, 2023
References:
- The Lookout, August 6, 2023, © 2023 Christian Standard Media.
- Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
- Scripture quotations taken from the NASB. Copyright by The Lockman Foundation.
- The College Press NIV Commentary – Minor Prophets Volume 2, by Clay Ham and Mark Hahlen. © 2006 College Press Publishing Co.
Those Who Sin Differently 