The book of Nahum is not the first book to read for words of optimism, brightness and delight. It is however an important book to read to get reassurance that brutal and oppressive regimes and situations will not last. It’s worth considering these things from all perspectives and within that there should be some hope and consolation for anyone in any situation that there is a God of justice and mercy.
Nahum in particular unfolds a sense of ironic justice. Here it is.
The people had established themselves as a force through intimidation and violent aggression. They used that as a reason to treat those they conquered unfairly. They did this in a swarm and left little in the way of mercy.
As a result of this action, this people would be taken over by … intimidation and violent aggression where a swarm would leave little in the way of mercy for them.
It’s not the first or last time we come across a people being dealt with in the way they have set people up for others. You would have thought that humanity would have learnt the lesson by now, but it says something about the tragedy of the human condition that this is something we fall into time and time again.
This is why reading these words should not just alert us to the consequences of injustice and inhumanity. It should also alert us that the God who brings about justice through history does so for those who look to Him, place their trust in Him and as a result find themselves depending on Him.
The Lord is good,
a strong refuge when trouble comes.
He is close to those who trust in him. (Nahum 1:7 NLT)
(Photo by Mario Purisic on Unsplash)
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 