Walking Together Through the Old Testament - Week 49
Introduction to Nahum
Like Jonah before him, Nahum, was a prophet sent to preach to the Assyrian capital of Nineveh. He delivers his message of judgement about 100 years after the Assyrians had destroyed Samaria and the Northern Kingdom of Israel (722 BC), perhaps around 620 BC.
Day 1 – Read: Nahum 1 This chapter outlines the character of God and the judgement He pronounces upon Assyria. Godwill never ignore sin wherever it is found, and will only give a limited time for repentance before intervening. His anger at their sin affects all of creation but it takes Him a long time to get to this point (v.3), for he is slow to get angry. Jonah’s preaching to the Ninevites hadn’t made a long term impact, and the succeeding generations had forgotten his message. This prophecy would have been of comfort to Judah (v.15) for the Assyrians were a vicious nation famous for their unbridled cruelty to those they conquered in their treatment of Israel.
Worship: God is presented as jealous and avenging (v2), slow to anger (v3), good and a refuge in times of trouble (v7). Spend time praising Him today for all of these aspects of His Being. Don’t over-emphasise His love and mercy and ignore His judgement and anger!
Day 2 – Read: Nahum 3 Nineveh was a very influential city in its day; it was located near crossing points for two rivers, had a huge library, was incredibly wealthy and its main religion involved the worship of a ‘love goddess’ (v.4). The Assyrians were known for their cruelty, massacring their enemies (v.1) and piling up the bodies of occupants of the cities they’d conquered outside the gates (v.3), and understandably, everyone was glad to see the back of Nineveh (v.19). God challenged their complacency about their conquests (vs. 8-11) and said he would destroy Nineveh just as easily (vs.12-17). As prophesied, Nineveh was never occupied again and disappeared under a huge sand dune (v.17) lying undiscovered until 19th century.
Consider: the response at the end of verse 19 of those who hear of Nineveh’s fall. What would you like your life to be remembered for?
Intro to Habakkuk
Habakkuk’s ministry occurred around 600 BC, around the same time as Jeremiah. Israel had been overthrown by Assyria, who were soon to be destroyed by the Babylonians.
Walking Together Through the Old Testament - Week 49
Introduction to Nahum
Like Jonah before him, Nahum, was a prophet sent to preach to the Assyrian capital of Nineveh. He delivers his message of judgement about 100 years after the Assyrians had destroyed Samaria and the Northern Kingdom of Israel (722 BC), perhaps around 620 BC.
Day 1 – Read: Nahum 1 This chapter outlines the character of God and the judgement He pronounces upon Assyria. God will never ignore sin wherever it is found, and will only give a limited time for repentance before intervening. His anger at their sin affects all of creation but it takes Him a long time to get to this point (v.3), for he is slow to get angry. Jonah’s preaching to the Ninevites hadn’t made a long term impact, and the succeeding generations had forgotten his message. This prophecy would have been of comfort to Judah (v.15) for the Assyrians were a vicious nation famous for their unbridled cruelty to those they conquered in their treatment of Israel.
Worship: God is presented as jealous and avenging (v2), slow to anger (v3), good and a refuge in times of trouble (v7). Spend time praising Him today for all of these aspects of His Being. Don’t over-emphasise His love and mercy and ignore His judgement and anger!
Day 2 – Read: Nahum 3 Nineveh was a very influential city in its day; it was located near crossing points for two rivers, had a huge library, was incredibly wealthy and its main religion involved the worship of a ‘love goddess’ (v.4). The Assyrians were known for their cruelty, massacring their enemies (v.1) and piling up the bodies of occupants of the cities they’d conquered outside the gates (v.3), and understandably, everyone was glad to see the back of Nineveh (v.19). God challenged their complacency about their conquests (vs. 8-11) and said he would destroy Nineveh just as easily (vs.12-17). As prophesied, Nineveh was never occupied again and disappeared under a huge sand dune (v.17) lying undiscovered until 19th century.
Consider: the response at the end of verse 19 of those who hear of Nineveh’s fall. What would you like your life to be remembered for?
Intro to Habakkuk
Habakkuk’s ministry occurred around 600 BC, around the same time as Jeremiah. Israel had been overthrown by Assyria, who were soon to be destroyed by the Babylonians.
Day 3 – Read: Habakkuk 1:1 – 2:1 Habakkuk recognised the evil state of Judah, and was looking for an answer to prayer. God’s response was shocking! “You think this is bad – it’s going to get worse. I’m going to do something amazing and I’m sending in the self-worshipping Babylonians” (vs.5-11). Habakkuk was confused by God’s answer to the initial complaint and questioned God’s logic with his next questions: “Lord, you’re too holy to look upon sin (v.13) so why would you allow the evil Babylonians victory over Israel? What’s going?”
Reflect: When have you found God’s answers to prayer difficult to understand? How well do you understand His ways?
Day 4 – Read: Habakkuk 2:2-20 After Habakkuk’s questioning of God’s sense of justice he was told to get ready to write down the vision so that it was clearly understood. The Babylonians would be punished, and faith will be rewarded, but in God’s time. God catalogues the sins of Babylon which goes some way to answering Habakkuk’s complaints about the wicked seeming to go unpunished. Habbakuk is reminded that God is still on the throne (v20).
Pray: What situations are you aware of where you or someone else needs to be reminded that God is still on the throne, and will bring about His purposes in due course? Pray intothis situation.
Day 5 – Read: Habakkuk 3 After what God had said to Habakkuk in answer to his complaints he began to worship God. He longed to see God act as He had done in the past (v.2) Looking back over God’s past actions helped Habakkuk remember God’s power and character, and he was completely awe-struck (v.16). He realised that joy wasn’t dependant on circumstances but on God, for when it came down to it, God was all that mattered (v.17-18). His strength wasn’t based on the economic situation but on God, and a personal relationship with Him (v.19).
Praise God whatever your circumstances! If it feels like He is not at work in power at the present time, remember His past activity and use this as a means of strengthening your own heart as well as a basis for praise.
Review the week’s readings
What are the lessons that you need to learn from our readings this week? In what ways has God challenged your faith or encouraged you in your walk with Him over these past days? What truth does Habakkuk contain that helps us understand God’s ways and timing? See Isaiah 55:8,9, Psalm 77:11-13 and 1 John 2:13 for an insight into growing in understanding of God’s ways.
Day 3 – Read: Habakkuk 1:1 – 2:1 Habakkuk recognised the evil state of Judah, and was looking for an answer to prayer. God’s response was shocking! “You think this is bad – it’s going to get worse. I’m going to do something amazing and I’m sending in the self-worshipping Babylonians” (vs.5-11). Habakkuk was confused by God’s answer to the initial complaint and questioned God’s logic with his next questions: “Lord, you’re too holy to look upon sin (v.13) so why would you allow the evil Babylonians victory over Israel? What’s going?”
Reflect: When have you found God’s answers to prayer difficult to understand? How well do you understand His ways?
Day 4 – Read: Habakkuk 2:2-20 After Habakkuk’s questioning of God’s sense of justice he was told to get ready to write down the vision so that it was clearly understood. The Babylonians would be punished, and faith will be rewarded, but in God’s time. God catalogues the sins of Babylon which goes some way to answering Habakkuk’s complaints about the wicked seeming to go unpunished. Habbakuk is reminded that God is still on the throne (v20).
Pray: What situations are you aware of where you or someone else needs to be reminded that God is still on the throne, and will bring about His purposes in due course? Pray intothis situation.
Day 5 – Read: Habakkuk 3 After what God had said to Habakkuk in answer to his complaints he began to worship God. He longed to see God act as He had done in the past (v.2) Looking back over God’s past actions helped Habakkuk remember God’s power and character, and he was completely awe-struck (v.16). He realised that joy wasn’t dependant on circumstances but on God, for when it came down to it, God was all that mattered (v.17-18). His strength wasn’t based on the economic situation but on God, and a personal relationship with Him (v.19).
Praise God whatever your circumstances! If it feels like He is not at work in power at the present time, remember His past activity and use this as a means of strengthening your own heart as well as a basis for praise.
Review the week’s readings
What are the lessons that you need to learn from our readings this week? In what ways has God challenged your faith or encouraged you in your walk with Him over these past days? What truth does Habakkuk contain that helps us understand God’s ways and timing? See Isaiah 55:8,9, Psalm 77:11-13 and 1 John 2:13 for an insight into growing in understanding of God’s ways.