Nahum 2:11-13

Not again! Eight times in eight months I have been directed to Nahum 2:8-13. We are in the end time prophesy. Stay close to the Lord for even the elect can be deceived.

This is taunt song, a derogatory proverbial chant against an object of scorn and ridicule. The taunt mocks Assyria: The once mighty predator of the ancient Near East is now the prey. Assyria will no longer conquer other nations. Faithlife Bible.

The title asserts Yahweh’s role as commander-in-chief of the heavenly armies.

Nineveh was the city of lions. Yet despite all the horrors that the lion of Nineveh had brought to other nations, it would no longer need to be feared by anyone. Although the Babylonians conquered the city, they were only God’s instruments. Nineveh’s greatest foe was the Lord of hosts Himself. NKJ Bible.

Nahum 2:11–13 (NKJV)

¹¹ Where is the dwelling of the lions,

And the feeding place of the young lions,

Where the lion walked, the lioness and lion’s cub,

And no one made them afraid?

¹² The lion tore in pieces enough for his cubs,

Killed for his lionesses,

Filled his caves with prey,

And his dens with flesh.

¹³ “Behold, I am against you,” says the Lord of hosts, “I will burn your chariots in smoke, and the sword shall devour your young lions; I will cut off your prey from the earth, and the voice of your messengers shall be heard no more.”

Micah

If any scripture has been given to me it is Micah 6:8. I have been led to it by the holy spirit too many times to count in the last 20 or so years. It was written on a notecard with a sweet message from a group at the first new Church I picked to attend when I moved to Charlottesville in Virginia after the death of my son. I have it engraved on my iPad. Written out and framed in my studio. It is written and stays on my desktop computer as a mission statement meant for my personal journey in this thing we call our Christian walk.

Be fair. Forgive quickly. Remain humble.

What God requires is heartfelt love and obedience.

Micah 6:8 (NKJV)

⁸ He has shown you, O man, what is good;

And what does the Lord require of you

But to do justly,

To love mercy,

And to walk humbly with your God?

Isaiah 1:17 (NKJV)

¹⁷ Learn to do good;

Seek justice,

Rebuke the oppressor;

Defend the fatherless,

Plead for the widow.

Micah means “Who is like Yahweh?” Faithlife Bible.

This verse speaks of the underlying attitudes that must accompany all true worship. The idea here is that God seeks certain characteristics of true worship from His people. Do justly … Love mercy … Walk humbly: These phrases summarize biblical piety in true worship. The majority of the people of Israel had violated each of these standards repeatedly. The rulers did not know justice (3:1), had no interest in mercy (3:2, 3), and demonstrated no humility (3:11). 

It is the Lord who ultimately gives a person strength, courage, and ability to exercise the virtues of godly living.

Micah:

Old Testament prophets are often thought of as providing not much more than “doom and gloom” predictions, but the Book of Micah presents an impassioned and artistic interplay between oracles of impending judgment and promises of future blessing on Israel and Judah. The peoples of both nations had broken covenant with their Lord. Through His messenger Micah, the Lord confronted His people, but He also promised to bring future blessing through the One who would be coming. This One would be the true Shepherd of God’s flock. Micah was born in the rural village of Moresheth Gath in the lowlands of Judah, near the region of Philistia, setting him apart from his more illustrious contemporary Isaiah, who was from Jerusalem.

Much of Micah’s preaching warned Judah about an impending national disaster. Yet the religious leaders of Jerusalem were falsely confident that no evil would come to them because of the inviolable presence of the holy temple in their midst. Micah sternly confronted their arrogance and their mistaken notions of God: not even the temple on Mount Zion would be spared the onslaught of God’s wrath.

The interplay of texts of wrath and mercy in the Book of Micah mirrors the character of God, for even in His wrath He remembers mercy. In the darkest days of impending judgment on the nations of Israel and Judah, there was always the possibility of a remnant being spared. Although the Lord was determined to maintain His holiness, He was equally intent on fulfilling His loving promises to Abraham. The Lord would balance His judgment with mercy. Consequently Micah also balances his oracles of judgment with oracles of promise.

In doing so, Micah points back to the covenant and also forward to the coming One. The book begins with the language of a court. Micah calls the peoples of earth to come to hear the Lord’s case against Israel, for the nation had broken the covenant. The language recalls the language of the covenant or contract the Lord established with His people. The Lord was judging His people according to the terms of the covenant. But in the middle of the oracles of judgment, Micah reveals the Lord’s wonderful promises of a glorious future. There would be a time when the coming King would gather His people together, when He would establish peace, and when He would bring justice to the earth. Remarkably, Micah prophesies that this coming Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. The fulfillment of this prophecy in Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem gives us confidence that the prophecies of Jesus’ glorious future will also be fulfilled. NKJ Bible.

Matthew and succession

Change can be good. Change can also bring uncertainty to life as we know it. We must choose whom we will serve! Pray for christ return.

God moves in mysterious ways and can use any person…for His purposes. 

Matthew

Succession to a throne is often a time of conflict and uncertainty. David’s son Absalom tried to usurp the throne. Solomon’s choice of successor lost more than half the kingdom to a traitor. Menahem assassinated his predecessor in Israel. Royalty is a dangerous business.

This is no less true when the heir is the King of kings. If ever there was a high-stakes succession, this was it. A Man claims to be Israel’s own Messiah; of course all Israel sits up and takes notice. Of course He must prove His credentials: Who wants an impostor? The Book of Matthew presents Jesus’ credentials. It presents Jesus as the King, but King of a totally different kingdom—the kingdom of heaven.

Luke 1:46-55

Hail Mary full of grace the Lord is with thee. Blessed are you among all women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary mother of God pray for us sinners.

God seeks those who without full knowledge of His plans for them say “yes, Lord, yes”.

The following hymn gets its name, the “Magnificat,” from the Latin word for magnifies.

Both Mary and Hannah renounce the arrogance of the proud who make themselves enemies of God. The lowly are exalted, while the exalted (or haughty) are brought low. Faithlife Bible.

Mary’s hymn is a recital of what God had done for her and for others in the past. Mary went from being a poor unknown Hebrew girl to the most honored woman in the history of the world. 

These verses portray a “reversal” in the end times, when those who have abused power will be judged and those who have suffered persecution will be exalted. Mary was looking forward to the day when God’s people are no longer oppressed, but are instead blessed by the Lord.

God’s actions in the life of Mary were based on commitments He made centuries before. NKJ Bible.

Luke 1:46–55 (NKJV)

⁴⁶ And Mary said:

“My soul magnifies the Lord,

⁴⁷ And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.

⁴⁸ For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant;

For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.

⁴⁹ For He who is mighty has done great things for me,

And holy is His name.

⁵⁰ And His mercy is on those who fear Him

From generation to generation.

⁵¹ He has shown strength with His arm;

He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

⁵² He has put down the mighty from their thrones,

And exalted the lowly.

⁵³ He has filled the hungry with good things,

And the rich He has sent away empty.

⁵⁴ He has helped His servant Israel,

In remembrance of His mercy,

⁵⁵ As He spoke to our fathers,

To Abraham and to his seed forever.”

Genesis 17:7 (NKJV)

⁷ And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you.

Luke 13:1-5

Until we ask for forgiveness, repent and change there is no hope for us. Our only hope is for Christ within and that takes a new heart of love for God and others. 

Love, there is no other way!

Jesus uses two calamities that befell certain Jews to illustrate the fate that awaits those who do not repent. This material is unique to Luke’s Gospel. Faithlife Bible.

Jesus’ point here is that everyone stands at the edge of death until repentance occurs. The death in view here is spiritual, not physical. The manner in which a person dies is not a measure of righteousness; what is important is not to die outside of God’s grace and care. The way to avoid such a fate is to repent, to come to God through the care of the physician Jesus

Luke 13:1–5 (NKJV)

13 There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. ² And Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? ³ I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. ⁴ Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? ⁵ I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”

Daniel 3:16-18

In the midst of fiery trials we are eternally saved by the only One who has the power to do so!

Even if death is the consequence of noncompliance, they will still hold fast to their religious commitments and trust God for deliverance. Faithlife Bible.

While the faithful men knew that God could deliver them, they were also aware that God may have chosen not to do so. Faith in God may not translate into victory in every circumstance. To these men the outcome was irrelevant, for what was at stake was not God’s ability or their own lives, but their faith and obedience to serve Him regardless of the cost. NKJ Bible.

Daniel 3:16–18 (NKJV)

¹⁶ Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. ¹⁷ If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. ¹⁸ But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.”

Jeremiah 1:8 (NKJV)

⁸ Do not be afraid of their faces,

For I am with you to deliver you,” says the Lord.

Jeremiah 15:20 (NKJV)

²⁰ And I will make you to this people a fortified bronze wall;

And they will fight against you,

But they shall not prevail against you;

For I am with you to save you

And deliver you,” says the Lord.

John 10:7-10

Jesus! The only way home.

Be as wise as the serpent…BUT as gentle as the dove! Do not be deceived by the world but do good as you are able. In doing this you show God’s love to His creation both man and nature. They were created by Jesus for you. 

Take care of My sheep!

Jesus is the shepherd; here He is the door. Some shepherds lay down across the entry of the sheepfold at night to sleep. Wild beasts would be discouraged from entering, and sheep would not exit. Thus the shepherd was also the door.

The thieves and robbers were the Pharisees…the religious right.

The thieves take life; the shepherd gives it. Abundant life includes salvation, nourishment, healing, and much more. Life here refers to eternal life, God’s life. It speaks not only of endlessness, but of quality of life. With Christ, life on earth can reach much higher quality, and then in heaven it will be complete and perfect. NKJ Bible.

John 10:7–10 (NKJV)

⁷ Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. ⁸ All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. ⁹ I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. ¹⁰ The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

John 14:6 (NKJV)

⁶ Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Ephesians 2:18 (NKJV)

   ¹⁸ For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.

Nahum 2:8-10

This is the seventh time in nine months that the Holy Spirit has guided me to these verses in Nahum…I pray for America. Money has become our god.

Love God above all and love our neighbors as much as we do ourselves…then we can easily fulfill the command of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

We need to confess, repent and CHANGE. There is no life without God in it, in the person of Jesus Christ, and through the power of Holy Spirit.

The love of the Father beheld in His only begotten Son is our only hope of Christ within. 

Only this agape love held high and without hypocrisy will draw others to the One true God.

The Babylonian Chronicles—which are tablets that record the history of Babylon—state that the amount of treasure in Nineveh was “a quantity beyond counting.” The Assyrians had collected a massive amount of wealth from looting cities like Susa, Babylon, Damascus, Samaria, Memphis, and Thebes. Faithlife Bible.

Nineveh was the city of lions. Yet despite all the horrors that the lion of Nineveh had brought to other nations, it would no longer need to be feared by anyone. NKJ Bible.

We need to confess, repent and CHANGE. There is no life without God in it, in the person of Jesus Christ, and through the power of Holy Spirit.

The love of the Father beheld in His only begotten Son is our only hope of Christ within. 

Only this agape love held high and without hypocrisy will draw others to the One true God.

The Babylonian Chronicles—which are tablets that record the history of Babylon—state that the amount of treasure in Nineveh was “a quantity beyond counting.” The Assyrians had collected a massive amount of wealth from looting cities like Susa, Babylon, Damascus, Samaria, Memphis, and Thebes. Faithlife Bible.

Nineveh was the city of lions. Yet despite all the horrors that the lion of Nineveh had brought to other nations, it would no longer need to be feared by anyone. NKJ Bible.

Nahum 2:8–10 (NKJV)

⁸ Though Nineveh of old was like a pool of water,

Now they flee away.

“Halt! Halt!” they cry;

But no one turns back.

⁹ Take spoil of silver!

Take spoil of gold!

There is no end of treasure,

Or wealth of every desirable prize.

¹⁰ She is empty, desolate, and waste!

The heart melts, and the knees shake;

Much pain is in every side,

And all their faces are drained of color.

Ezekiel 7:19 (NKJV)

¹⁹ ‘They will throw their silver into the streets,

And their gold will be like refuse;

Their silver and their gold will not be able to deliver them

In the day of the wrath of the Lord;

They will not satisfy their souls,

Nor fill their stomachs,

Because it became their stumbling block of iniquity.

Zephaniah 1:18 (NKJV)

¹⁸ Neither their silver nor their gold

Shall be able to deliver them

In the day of the Lord’s wrath;

But the whole land shall be devoured

By the fire of His jealousy,

For He will make speedy riddance

Of all those who dwell in the land.

Ezekiel 7:19 (NKJV)

¹⁹ ‘They will throw their silver into the streets,

And their gold will be like refuse;

Their silver and their gold will not be able to deliver them

In the day of the wrath of the Lord;

They will not satisfy their souls,

Nor fill their stomachs,

Because it became their stumbling block of iniquity.

Zephaniah 1:18 (NKJV)

¹⁸ Neither their silver nor their gold

Shall be able to deliver them

In the day of the Lord’s wrath;

But the whole land shall be devoured

By the fire of His jealousy,

For He will make speedy riddance

Of all those who dwell in the land.

Acts 27:21-26

Jesus did not promise us a life without turbulence but, when we choose to believe in Him, He did promise that we would never go it alone. Out of our trials we are molded into His image.

Seek wise counsel…the holy spirit. knock and the door will be open. Seek and you will find. Ask and it will be given.

God takes the very things meant to destroy us and turns them into our good and the good of the Body of Christ.

Paul had been given absolute assurance by the all-powerful and all-knowing God that no one would be lost on the ship. Yet Paul warned that if the sailors were successful in escaping from the ship, the Roman soldiers would lose their lives. Because of Paul’s comments, the soldiers stopped the sailors from leaving the ship and everyone made it ashore alive. God fulfilled His purpose and promise through the warnings of Paul and the choices of the soldiers. NKJ Bible.

Acts 27:21–26 (NKJV)

²¹ But after long abstinence from food, then Paul stood in the midst of them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss. ²² And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. ²³ For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, ²⁴ saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ ²⁵ Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me. ²⁶ However, we must run aground on a certain island.”

Acts 18:9 (NKJV)

⁹ Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent;

Daniel 6:16 (NKJV)

¹⁶ So the king gave the command, and they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of lions. But the king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you.”