END GAME

Can I pray for you in any way? Send any prayer requests to OurChristianWalk@aol.com.
In Christ, Mark

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

** Follow The Christian Walk on Twitter @ThChristianWalk

** Like posts and send friend requests to the author of The Christian Walk, Mark Cummings on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/mark.cummings.733?ref=tn_tnmn

** Become a Follower of The Christian Walk at http://the-christian-walk.blogspot.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

“But with an overwhelming flood, He will make an end of Nineveh; He will pursue His foes into the realm of darkness. Whatever they plot against the Lord, He will bring to an end; trouble will not come a second time. They will be entangled among thorns and drunk from their wine; they will be consumed like dry stubble.”

“From you, Nineveh, has one come forth who plots evil against the Lord and devises wicked plans. 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.’”

“The Lord has given a command concerning you, Nineveh: ‘You will have no descendants to bear your name. I will destroy the images and idols that are in the temple of your gods. I will prepare your grave, for you are vile.’”

“Look, there on the mountains, the feet of one who brings good news, who proclaims peace! Celebrate your festivals, Judah, and fulfill your vows. No more will the wicked invade you; they will be completely destroyed.”

Nahum 1:8-15

This ends today’s reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

The Book of Nahum is centered on God’s judgment on Nineveh, the capital city of Assyria, but up to now in the first of three chapters in this book, we haven’t seen any particulars mentioned regarding the predicted punishment. We have only seen God described in two very different ways.

On one hand, we were told of an angry God who sends consequences on those who sin against Him.

On the other hand, we read of a God who is good, a God who is protecting, a God who cares for those people who place their trust in Him.

All that changes today as we get into the latter stages of Chapter 1 and see all the attention turn to Nineveh, who through their wickedness were about to meet the wrath side of God and the associated penalties that came along with it. Look again at today’s scripture:

“But with an overwhelming flood, He will make an end of Nineveh; He will pursue His foes into the realm of darkness. Whatever they plot against the Lord, He will bring to an end; trouble will not come a second time. They will be entangled among thorns and drunk from their wine; they will be consumed like dry stubble.”

“From you, Nineveh, has one come forth who plots evil against the Lord and devises wicked plans. 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.’”

“The Lord has given a command concerning you, Nineveh: ‘You will have no descendants to bear your name. I will destroy the images and idols that are in the temple of your gods. I will prepare your grave, for you are vile.’”

“Look, there on the mountains, the feet of one who brings good news, who proclaims peace! Celebrate your festivals, Judah, and fulfill your vows. No more will the wicked invade you; they will be completely destroyed.”  Nahum 1:8-15

  

Essentially, Nahum is foretelling the end game for Nineveh for God’s judgment was about to flow over them like an overwhelming flood, consuming His foes and driving them into the “realm of darkness”. It would mark an end to the evil, scheming ways and wicked plans of the Ninevites who would find no help from anyone even though they had numerous allies. The Lord had spoken through His messenger and the message was that Nineveh would be destroyed and pass away. No descendants would remain as they all would go to the grave for their vile sinfulness grounded in the worship of images and idols in the temple dedicated to false gods.

The news was better for Judah who would see the good, caring side of God as they returned from captivity to rebuild their nation after God’s judgment had struck them. The prophet Nahum had a message for them much different than the one He gave to Nineveh. For God promised to not afflict Judah again after He broke the yoke of exile from their necks and tore the shackles of captivity away. He also promised to bring peace to them once again once they were restored, ensuring that they would be safe from their wicked enemies so that they could celebrate God’s mandated festivals and fulfill their covenant vows.

It really was quite a reversal of fortunes. For the same Assyria God used as an instrument of judgment against the Israelites became the target of His judgment themselves. In both instances, sinful disregard, disobedience, and disrespect shown toward the Lord were the catalysts for punishment and progression toward destruction.

In the final translation, the word of God is sending us the message that committing willful and willing transgressions will always get someone on the bad side of God, a bad side that will lead them to a place where God will end their wicked ways. For God hates sin and anyone who chooses to behave in ways He hates can expect that an end game to those iniquities will soon be in play as He brings His judgment in response.

Amen.

In Christ,

Mark
PS: Feel free to leave a comment and please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it.
Send any prayer requests to OurChristianWalk@aol.com