Draw Near – 365 Guides to Greater Intimacy with GodSample

THE POETIC PROPHET For a time, Jesus made His headquarters in a town called Capernaum. This name means "village of Nahum." Many believe Nahum, the poet-prophet, was the founder of that city. What is certain about Nahum is that he prophesied to Nineveh just as Jonah had done some 150 years before. This time, the city did not repent. As a result, the city was destroyed. Nahum's prophecy is written in the form of a poem describing the sacking of that city. Although alphabetic in style, Nahum's poem is unlike Lamentations or Psalm 119. Rather, Nahum lets the word sounds introduce the topics, while others let the letters of the Hebrew alphabet do the work. This dramatic ode declares prophetic truths that insist on being remembered. The central theme of Nahum is the majesty, power, and mercy of God, as well as His justice in dealing with mankind. Three compelling lessons can be learned from Nahum: (1) God is slow to anger. For many years, God stalled punishment, giving time for repentance. (2) Again, the principle of sowing and reaping is repeated. (We have seen this theme repeated in every prophetic book to all nations.) (3) Those that fear the Lord need not worry when judgment comes because God takes care of His own. All the prophets tell of the moral perfection of God and how He asks for our best in His service. Nineveh ignored that message; their destruction was so complete that, until 1820, many doubted that the town ever really existed. However, the ruins of ancient Nineveh were found, and God's Word spoken by His prophets was again confirmed.