Daily Devotions
Nahum
"The LORD will restore the excellence of Jacob"
Text: Nahum 2:2
THE THREAT OF WAR
The Assyrians had already conquered Israel. They now threatened Judah. King Hezekiah was the ruler of Judah then. He had Isaiah as the prophet of the Lord for support and encouragement. Nahum may not have been mentioned by name but from this book, we know that he was one of the prophets of God who ministered to the nation of Judah as well.
“He who scatters has come up before your face.
Man the fort! Watch the road! Strengthen your flanks!
Fortify your power mightily.
For the LORD will restore the excellence of Jacob
Like the excellence of Israel,
For the emptiers have emptied them out
And ruined their vine branches.”
Nahum 2:1-2
ASSYRIA’S GREATEST FOE
Assyria had fought only against human foes. And they had been defeated easily enough! But now Assyria would have to face the Lord God Himself. He would prove to be the Adversary who would defeat the mighty Assyrian army!
1. “He who scatters has come up before your face”
a) The Assyrians were feared greatly. They would scatter their enemies in battle.
b) But the LORD God, will restore Israel though Assyria thinks that he has destroyed the nation.
c) It is the LORD Himself who would scatter the Assyrian forces.
2. The typical orders given to the army
a) Man the fort! Watch the road! Strengthen your flanks! Fortify your power mightily.
b) These were typical orders given to the Assyrian forces.
c) But they would be in vain against the LORD of hosts.
3. “The emptiers have emptied them out and ruined their vine branches”
a) The Assyrians were described as “emptiers”.
b) Each time they conquered a nation they would empty the nation
i) Of their wealth.
ii) Of their population.
iii) And even of the natural landscape.
iv) One of the national symbols of Israel was the vine.
v) Assyria had emptied Israel of an important national symbol.
4. “For the LORD will restore the excellence of Jacob like the excellence of Israel”
God had a long-term plan for Israel! One day He will bring excellence to His people again (Jeremiah 31:31).