Take A Stand

The prophet Nahum, whose name means comfort, gives a fitting message to Judah after their suffering in the hands of the Assyrians. He gave them a stern warning by portraying the consequences of their spiritual backsliding and idolatry (Nah 1:14), to the impending fall of Nineveh (Nah 1:8), the capital city of Assyria. The rise and fall of Nineveh’s spiritual condition was evident. When Jonah reluctantly preached to them (Jon 3:5), they all repented and turned to God (Jon 3:10). But about 150 years after that great revival, they all returned to their wicked ways and was even called “the bloody city” (Nah 3:1).

Perhaps Nahum’s prophecy caused king Manasseh to repent and “humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers” (2 Chr 33:12), after he was afflicted by the Assyrian invasion and was carried to Babylon. Nahum’s discourse of Nineveh’s downfall served as a dire warning to Judah; and the pronouncement of God’s judgment upon their enemy brought some comforting promises to the people! Most certainly, it had also influenced king Josiah and the people of Judah to do “was right in the sight of the Lord” (2 Chr 34:2). Nahum was not afraid to proclaim God’s truth that He “will take vengeance on His adversaries” (Nah 1:2). His prophecy emphasizes on declaring God’s truth.

Bible-believing Christians are called to also declare God’s message of impending judgment, mercy and redemption (Acts 17:31), even “in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world” (Php 2:15). We must stand on guard against spiritual complacency and apathy (Rom 12:11). May we not allow the next generation to slip into moral decay (Heb 2:1), just like Nineveh. May we always make known God’s “faithfulness to all generations” (Ps 89:1)! God bless you!

-Pastor Melito Barrera