Monday, September 9, 2019

Nahum: A Prophet of Doom (Nahum: 1:14) - You Will be Cut Off


14 The Lord has given commandment about you:
    “No more shall your name be perpetuated;
from the house of your gods I will cut off
    the carved image and the metal image.
I will make your grave, for you are vile.”


Perhaps I have unfairly judged certain individuals I have encountered over the years, but I must confess there have been a few people with whom I avoid every possible association. Over time I have found these specific people to by liars who can never be trusted. Often their worldview is completely opposite, and they are so rigid in that worldview they refuse to listen to any argument you might present against it. They worship their jobs, money, fame, or others and they tend to promote themselves rather than help those in need. I have no desire to be their friend or to associate with them. To me, I have cut them off.

After pronouncing judgment upon Nineveh/Assyria, Nahum now quotes Yahweh on the matter. It is the LORD who has charged you, not merely a man or a prophet. And, unlike man, the Lord’s judgment of every individual is just and righteous.

What is that charge he brings against the Assyrian empire? “No more shall your name be perpetuated”. Literally, “God will no longer sow from your seed.” Assyria has been a might kingdom and Nineveh a mighty capital. But no more. The name of Assyria will be forgotten, not feared. For us today, that is so true. Apart from a study of history, Assyria has vanished.

The Assyrians were religious people. The empire was a religious empire. They didn’t have just one god but many (which violates the first commandment). They didn’t worship they god in spirit and in truth but with graven images and idols (which violates the second commandment). And, of course, worship of any god other than Yahweh is false worship.

Being a religious person/nation is irrelevant if that religion is not true religion. Yahweh demands we worship Him. He is the one true God. And, like the Assyrians, if you have other “things” in your life more important than Yahweh, you have broken the first commandment. At some point, you will be “cut off” from your false gods. If its your job, you’ll lose it. If its your money, you’ll lose it. False gods are of no valuable once death overtakes you.

God tells the Assyrians they are “vile” (or contemptible). So is anyone who worships false gods with their false religion. There is only one name given among men whereby we must be saved, the name Jesus Christ.

If your religion is not centered on Christ, you will be cut off. If your worship is not directed to Christ, you will be cut off. Nineveh and Assyria are a lesson to us. Do not place your faith and hope in the wrong place.

Trust Jesus.

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