Nahum 3 - Rejoicing Over Fallen Enemies

Nahum warns that Nineveh will fall for her endless cruelty. Her victims will clap their hands; rejoicing for the vengeance God takes upon her. (Nahum 3:19)

We are often told that we should not rejoice when our enemies fall. In fact, we should not. According to the Proverbs: "Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice, or the Lord will see and disapprove and turn his wrath away from them." (Prov 24:17 NIV)However, when one is persecuted so fully as Nineveh had persecuted, the people, according to human nature, will rejoice! They will rejoice that they are finally free. They will give thanks to God for taking away the enemy that has threatened to destroy them.

We give thanks to God for through the blood of Jesus we are free. We are free from the bondage that sin, death and the evil one would keep us in. We are free to give thanks to God for all things, including our freedom through Christ. Let us not neglect to give Him thanks and praise for all things and at all times and in all places.

Rejoice not that your enemy has fallen at the hand of God. Rejoice that even as Christ has been lifted up; so, too, have you. Rejoice that you have been saved from those age old enemies (sin, death, and the devil) by the blood of Jesus the Christ that was shed for you.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Nahum 1 - Avenging God

"The Lord is a jealous and avenging God;
    the Lord takes vengeance and is filled with wrath.
The Lord takes vengeance on his foes
    and vents his wrath against his enemies.
The Lord is slow to anger but great in power;
    the Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished.
His way is in the whirlwind and the storm,
    and clouds are the dust of his feet." (Nahum 1:2-3 NIV)

Nahum prophesies against Nineveh. He warns that those (in this case Nineveh) who go against His people will not go unpunished. Sometimes, in reading some of these prophesies it sounds awfully vengeful and hurtful. Well, vengeance is the LORD's to take and while it may appear to be really bad news to those who worship false idols and persecute those who worship the LORD, it is good news to the people of God. Those who find themselves attacked and persecuted by God's enemies have no other place to turn for hope except in the LORD and His promise that He will deliver them from the hands of their enemies.

He will deliver us! It is the LORD who saves! Thanks be to God!

God's Peace - Pr. J