Saturday, March 6, 2010

Nahum 3

4 comments:

Jude said...

Although I found this chapter very interesting, I came away neither encouraged or convicted by any one verse. My study bible helped me to get some of the historical background. It described the brutal war tactics of the Assyrians, their worship of gods and godesses, their brief repentance after being warned by Jonah and the return to their old ways. I was also left to wonder how God is at work in the political arenas, the war torn areas, of our day.

Unknown said...

this chapter was so appalling for me. Made more so by images from the Time Life photographic documentary that our friend brought home from his ministry trip to Haiti. So many of these verses just brought specific images to mind and those images in turn brought this passage to life for me.

"Many are dead, their bodies piled up- too many to count. People stumble over the dead bodies." v3

the references to magic of course couldn't help but make me think of pictures of voodoo ceremonies and images of New Orleans also pounded into my head.

"I will throw filthy garbage on you... and make people stare at you..."

"All your defenses are are like fig trees with ripe fruit. When the tree is shaken, the figs fall into the mouth of the eater."

"The gates of your land are wide open for your enemies; fire has burned the bars of your gates."

So, so disturbing. Made even more so by the images in my head. It makes me think of Jonah and his heart for Nineveh, how he WANTED destruction like this to happen to them, and how God was angry with Jonah's heart. God's desire is always to see people come to repentance and be plucked from the fire. To see them restored and to have a hope and security in Him.

But oh, His hand falls heavy in judgement when there is no other way to shake people out of their reverie. That we can see so clearly. And it is knee knocking, heart stopping stuff.

ps. not meaning to imply by what I shared above that what happened in Haiti was judgement, I just couldn't help but parallel the IMAGES I have seen, with this text.

Denise said...

Nineveh had used its beauty, prestige, and power to seduce other nations. Like a harlot, she had enticed them into false frienships. Then when the other nations relaxed, thinking Assyria was a friend, Assyria destroyed and plundered them. Beautiful and impressive on the outside, Nineveh was vicious and deceitful on the inside. Beneath attractive facades sometimes lie seduction and death. Don't let an institution, company, movement, or person seduce you into lowering your standards or compromising your moral principles.

Mac an Rothaich said...

I always think of Jonah's story when I read this book of the Bible and how dramatic their change of heart was but apparently short lived... It always seems such a shame.