Tag Archives: Assyria

Chapter 1-3 + Summary of Nahum

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Chapter 1-3 + Summary of Nahum

Summary of Nahum:

The prophet Nahum wrote this book just before the fall of Nineveh. He was raised up to preach God’s judgment for a second time to Nineveh. Jonah was the first about 120 years earlier.

•    In chapter 1: Nahum warns of Judgment, and describes the full power of God, “The mountains quake at him, and the hills melt, and the earth is burned at his presence, yea, the world, and all that dwells therein.” (Nahum 1:5)

•    Chapter 2-3: Nahum predicts the destruction of Nineveh, “And is shall come to pass, that all they that look upon thee shall flee from thee, and say, Nineveh is laid waste…” (Nahum 3:7)

 

Chapter 1: The Second Coming

Nahum explains the burden against Nineveh and the burning of the earth at the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Nahum explains to the reader that God is jealous, angry and vengeful.

“The Lord is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the Lord hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.” (Nahum 1:3)

The Lord knows those who trust in Him and those who follow in his ways. “The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.” (Nahum 1:7)

The Second Coming of Jesus Christ will be horrible for those who do not put their trust in the Lord. However, those who trust in the Lord will be comforted in that day of trouble and will have no fear.

 

Chapter 2: Destruction of the Last Days

An ironic call to battle is made. Nahum explains that the Lord will restore the excellence of Jacob. Meanwhile in Nineveh… chariots rage in the streets, and the Assyrians are led away captive. The destruction of Nineveh is a type of what shall come before the Latter-days, before the Lord comes again.

Chapter 3: The downfall of Nineveh

“Woe to the bloody city! It is all full of lies and robbery…” (Nahum 3:1) Nineveh is punished because of its harlotries and sorceries. Assyria itself will also be destroyed and humiliated. Both will fall before the judgment of God. The inhabitants of Nineveh are as numerous as locusts, but destruction shall still ensue, and all who hear of Nineveh’s defeat shall clap their hands.

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Micah 5-7

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Micah 5-7

Scripture Thought (What I Learned):

In the last three chapters of Micah we learn that the Jesus Christ will be born in Bethlehem, but we also learn that those who turn away from the Lord and put their trust in; guides, friends and family alone will fall!

We can trust our friends and family, but we should never go against God. If we always keep on His path, we will have no reason to fear our enemies.

“Rejoice no against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me.” (Micah 7:8)

Chapter 5: Messiah shall be born

The Messiah (Jesus Christ) shall be born in Bethlehem. He shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the Lord. He will deliver Jacob from Assyria. The remnant is large and will be victorious over its enemies. The Lord will cut off sorceries, soothsayers and idols.

Chapter 6: They are not serving the Lord

“Hear ye, O mountains, the Lord’s controversy [complaint]…” (Micah 6:2). The Lord reminds the people of his favor towards them, and complains of their ingratitude. The people are imagined replying, and complaining of the Lord’s demanding nature: “Will the Lord be pleased with a thousand rams, or with ten thousand rivers of oil? …” (Micah 6:7) However, Micah explains that the Lord has revealed to them what He wants: justice, mercy and humility.

 

Chapter 7: The Lord will have mercy on Israel

The Lord compares himself to a gatherer of fruit who can find no ripe cluster of grapes. All of them have been corrupted. Family and other social relationships will crumble.

 

“Trust ye not in a friend, put ye not confidence in a guide…” (Micah 7:5) However, enemies should not rejoice in the supposed weakness of man; “…when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me.” (Micah 7:8) The Lord will shepherd His people with His staff. Other nations shall be brought low, and lick the dust like a serpent. God is like no one else, he will forgive his people and help them back on their feet.

 

Hosea 9-10

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Hosea 9-10

Chapter 9: Israel and her sins

Israel is taken into captivity for their sins; they have played the harlot against God. Ephraim shall return to Egypt, and eat unclean things in Assyria. Sacrifices will become like the bread of mourning, defiling all who eat it. God will send barrenness and bereavement to Israel. The root of Ephraim is dried up; they shall be wanderers among the nations.

Chapter 10: Hosea calls upon Israel to repent

Israel has plowed wickedness and reaped iniquity, because of this they have empty vines, and an empty throne. Israel’s high places will be destroyed, and thorn and thistle grow on their altars. God will control and guide Israel and Judah, even if they kick against Him. Sow righteousness, and reap mercy.

Hosea 7-8

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Hosea 7-8

Chapter 7: Israel and her sins

Israel thinks the Lord has forgotten their wickedness and continues to defy God’s commandments. Israel is compared to a baker’s oven, their heart is inflamed after idols. Israel has bred itself with other peoples. Israel is compared to a silly dove without a heart, calling to Egypt and flying to Assyria. God says; “Woe to them! for they have fled from me…” (Hosea 7:13)

Chapter 8: Israel and Judah have forsaken the Lord

Both Israel and Judah have forsaken the Lord. The Lord’s anger has risen because of idols, such as Samaria’s calf. They sow the wind, and reap the whirlwind. Israel is compared as a wild donkey that has wandered to Assyria. Israel considers God’s law to be “… counted as a strange thing” (Hosea 8:12). Because Israel has forgotten its maker, fire shall be sent against its cities.

Hosea 5-6

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Hosea 5-6

Scripture Thought (What I Learned):

In Hosea Chapter 6 we read: “For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.” (Hosea 6:6)

What I learned here is that it is more important to know why you perform an offering, sacrifice or ritual than the actual offering, sacrifice or ritual! Meaning we need to have a knowledge of the Lord and his Gospel. Overall we learn that EDUCATION is SUPER important, we need to be knowledgable in all things! I don’t want to criticize other religions, and my intentions are never that. However, I see some religions or churches that seem to praise the Lord without knowing why they are doing it. I see silly and quite frankly borderline blasphemy of repeated prayers, and unnecessary “acting” of the powers of God in this world. Speaking in tongues, convulsing on the ground when the “spirit touches” someone. These traditions or “rituals” without true knowledge are frowned upon by the Lord. We need to know WHY we worship and WHO we worship.

Chapter 5: Judah and Israel, shall both fall

Ephraim and Judah are defiled. Ephraim shall be desolate on the day of rebuke. The princes of Judah change property boundaries to their advantage. The Lord will be “…unto Ephraim like a moth, and to the house of Judah as rottenness.” (Hosea 5:12) King Jareb of Assyria will not be able to save Ephraim. The Lord will be “…unto Ephraim as a lion, and as a young lion to the house of Judah…” (Hosea 5:14) The Lord will continue tearing them away until they seek the Lord’s face in their affliction.

Chapter 6: Knowledge is important

Hosea calls out to Israel and Judah and asks for them to return to the Lord. Hosea tells them; “…if we follow on to know the Lord: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as latter and former rain unto the earth.” (Hosea 6:3)

We must follow the Lord and if we do, just as the morning comes every day, so shall we see the Lord every day in our lives. The Lord says; “For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.” (Hosea 6:6) We need to understand our faith, have knowledge and get to know the Lord on a personal base. Offerings, rituals, etc… are important but without the knowledge of why you do something, it is pointless. The priests of Shechem are like a band of robbers that lie in wait for a man. Lewdness and harlotry is committed in Ephraim.