Daily Devotions
Nahum
"A wicked counselor"
Text: Nahum 1:11
COUNSELORS TO KINGS
Though there were mighty kings in the ancient world, they did not succeed on their own. The kings had counselors who gave them advice. These counselors were often very astute in their perceptions.
1. The Pharaoh of Egypt
He was surrounded and advised by “wise men, sorcerers and magicians” (Exodus 7:11).
2. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon
He too had a council made up of “magicians, astrologers, sorcerers and Chaldeans” (Daniel 2:2).
3. King Sennacherib of Assyria
Perhaps the most notable of his counselors was “the Rabshakeh”. He was sent to intimidate Judah for he came with a huge army (Isaiah 36:2).
GOD’S WORD TO THESE COUNSELORS
God was not in the least impressed with these so-called wise men. He issued forth a strong word against the Assyrian king and his counsellors.
“For while tangled like thorns,
And while drunken like drunkards,
They shall be devoured like stubble fully dried.
From you comes forth one
Who plots evil against the LORD,
A wicked counselor.”
Nahum 1:10-11
1. God’s derision of the enemies
a) They were “tangled like thorns”.
b) They were “drunken like drunkards”.
2. The fate of the Assyrians
a) They would be devoured.
b) They would become nothing more than “stubble fully dried”.
3. From you comes forth
a) This was a reference to Assyria.
b) The Assyrian rulers were guided by the counsel of so-called “wise men”.
4. The king’s advisor
a) He devised evil plots.
b) These plots were seen as against the LORD God Himself.
c) This advisor was called “a wicked counselor”.
THE FAMOUS PROPHETIC PSALM
Psalm 2 was truly Messianic and prophetic. We are reminded that the wicked plots of men will always fail! The Lord God Himself will see to the destruction of wicked plots against the Messiah and His people!