Key word: Against
Have you ever felt that the Lord was against you? For the child of God that can never be the case. He may discipline us but He will never turn against us (Hebrews 13:5). But for the nation of Assyria – a godless, ruthless people, this was not the case. As a matter of fact, twice the Lord declares to the Assyrians that He was against them (2:13, 3:5). What an unbelievable horrifying position to be in. You will recall it was to the capital city of Nineveh that Jonah went 100 years earlier, which repented at the time. Now a century later whatever happened at that time has long been forgotten and Assyria has returned to its wickedness: three things to consider concerning God’s pronouncement that He was against them.
1. The cause: Historically we know the Assyrians are among the cruelest empire that ever existed. Human life meant nothing to them, even so, God offers to be their refuge (1:7), but if they refuse He will be their judge (1:8).
2. The consequence: Because of their rejection of God, utter ruthlessness, and mistreatment of God’s people (2:1-2), the Lord will ruin them (2:13-3:1). As a matter of fact, their situation is hopeless – for their “wound is incurable (3:19). Nineveh was so completely destroyed that it was not until 1842 that archeologists rediscovered its ruins.
3. The cure: Quite frankly, there is not much positive to be found in Nahum. Yet 1:7, our key verse reminds us. Our key word, if we are to be faithful to the text, has to be against. The Lord is against Assyria for its wickedness, and against all those who reject His love. But a “cure” is found in Christ. We can’t help but think of the remedy for our spiritual enmity with God as found in Romans 8:31-32 – “If God is for us, who is against us?” He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us, how will He not freely give us all things?”
Key verse: Nahum 1:7 – “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble, and He knows those who take refuge in Him.”
