Nahum
2 reminds me of a recent conversation with a high school friend. She
spoke about how girls are attracted to the bad-boy rebels. She
described the mystique, the mystery and the danger. Deep-down, some
girls hope they can correct the fatal flaw and make him perfect.
Sadly, many of those guys know the game better than she does. In
today’s chapter, Nahum continues his prophesy about the coming
judgment and invasion of Nineveh. Remember, this was the city that
got a second chance. They had believed the warning of Jonah and
repented and God relented. Over the decades, they turned against God
and again trusted in their wealth. The prophet begins, “An
attacker advances against you, Nineveh…
brace yourselves“.
This is the key moment. Would God forgive them a second time? The
real question is; would Nineveh change? God is not deceived by
flattery and false promises and He cannot be manipulated. Jesus
warned us to watch for wolves in sheep’s clothing, adding, “By
their fruit you will recognize them”
(Matthew 7:16). God has high standards for love. Nahum continues,
“The Lord will restore the
splendor of Jacob like the splendor of Israel, though destroyers have
laid them waste and have ruined their vines“.
Israel may have appeared to be a plain-Jane, but she would not be
for long. Real beauty can be hidden behind doubt.
The
chapter describes the coming destruction of the city, “The
shields of the soldiers are red… The chariots storm through the
streets, rushing back and forth… They look like flaming torches;
they dart about like lightning… They dash to the city wall… the
palace collapses“. Their
dangerous image disappears in the face of real danger, “Nineveh
will be exiled… like a pool whose water is draining away“.
We see the coolness fading
away. The charmer’s charm gets shrill when they no longer get what
they want, “‘Stop! Stop!’
they cry, but no one turns back“.
The
chapter ends with a look behind the facade. These renegades were
just takers. They accumulated treasures and abundance from the
innocent. God was going to turn the tables, “Plunder
the silver! Plunder the gold!”
Israel would take back her pride. Notice Nineveh’s reaction,
“Hearts
melt, knees give way,
bodies
tremble, every face grows pale“.
The troubled teen is now in real trouble. Nahum describes how
Nineveh had hoarded trophies like a lion, “filling
his lairs with the kill and his dens with the prey“.
My friend, have you discovered that you are just another pelt on the
wall? Hear how God deals with the outlaw that will not be humbled.
“I
am against you“,
declares the Lord Almighty. Sometimes the manipulators believe their
own lies, and they become trapped by the reputation they created.
Listen to the sad commentary of the aging rebel, “I
will leave you no prey on the earth. The voices of your messengers
will no longer be heard“.
What are we to do with the hardcore unrepentant? “Do
not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them
under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces”
(Matthew 7:6). Still looking for the answer to the mystery? There
is only one way to make man perfect and that is to believe in the
Perfect Sacrifice, Jesus Christ.