Nahum: A Prophet of Doom (Nahum 1:12-13) - Breaking Yokes, Bursting Bonds

¹² Thus says the Lord,

“Though they are at full strength and many,

    they will be cut down and pass away.

Though I have afflicted you,

    I will afflict you no more.

¹³ And now I will break his yoke from off you

    and will burst your bonds apart.”

Often we feel as though we are slaves of others. Individuals working for an unreasonable employer has that sense. Students in a class taught by a fearful instructor also has the sense. People living under the political rule of a corrupt monarchy are in a similar position. Each of us, at one time or another and to one degree or another, feel as though we are slaves of someone or something. We long for freedom from our bondage and judgment against our oppressor.

Assyria has been a powerful nation in the Middle East for some time. They have fought against the Hebrews, defeated the northern Kingdom of Israel, and scattered many of them across their empire. Even at the time of Nahum’s prophecy, they were a great, powerful nation, full of strength, with no end in sight. No end except that foretold by Nahum in this proclamation against the Assyrian capital city of Nineveh. Assyria, though powerful and many, will be cut down. They will pass away. And, indeed, this came true.

Now Yahweh enters the picture for the first and only time in the prophecy: “Thus says Yahweh”. The creator, sovereign ruler of the universe confirms the words of His prophet.

The Lord had used the Assyrians to afflict His people just as He had used the Egyptians during the time of Moses. Israel had sinned against Him with their idol worship and God’s punishment was provided through the Assyrians. Now God assures His people this affliction has come to an end. No more will the Assyrians be His instrument for disciplining His people.

And, by defeating this powerful nation, Yahweh breaks the bondage of His people (including those in the southern Kingdom) and has set them free. God and God alone delivers them from their servitude.

You are I are also in bondage and under affliction due to sin. We are captives of our nature and our own disobedience. We are slaves to sin. Sin must be punished, and it will be. God will judge and punish the sinner with eternal judgment and that judgment will place Him in Hell forever. Unless God delivers you from your sin, this is your fate. You will forever be sin’s slave.

Jesus Christ lived without sin and sacrificed His life to ransom those whom God had given to Him. In a sense, God has defeated the enemy (sin) and we can escape eternal affliction by trusting Christ. Will you turn from your sin today and trust the Lord for the salvation of your soul?

If you will then God will deliver you. He will break the yoke and burst the bonds of sin just as He delivered His people.

"Slave: The Hidden Truth About Your Identity In Christ": A Book Review

The author is clear on the issue:

"...the Bible uses one metaphor more frequently than any of these. It is a word picture you might not expect, but it is absolutely critical for understanding what it means to follow Jesus. It is the image of a slave. ... the earliest believers referred to themselves in the New Testament as the Lord's slaves. For them, the two ideas were synonymous. to be a Christian was to be a slave of Christ." (pp. 12-13)

Over the next 200 plus pages, author John MacArthur carefully, forcefully, but clearly supports his premise that, for some time, Christians have not understand the true meaning of being a Christian due to the translation of the Greek word "doulos" to the English "servant" instead of its true meaning: "slave". MacArthur examines the view of ancient history concerning this truth and then presents the truth of the "master-slave" concept from the Scripture. For example, he writes:

"Jesus also used slave language to define the reality of what it means to follow Him. Discipleship, like slavery, entails a life of total self-denial, a humble disposition toward others, a wholehearted devotion to the Master alone, a willingness to obey His commands in everything, an eagerness to serve Him even in His absence, and a motivation that comes from knowing He is well pleased. Though they were once the slaves of sin, Christ's followers receive spiritual freedom and rest for their souls through their saving relationship with Him. Against the historical backdrop of slavery, our Lord's call to self-sacrifice becomes that much more vivid. A slave's life was one of complete surrender, submission, and service to the master--and the people of Jesus' day would have immediately recognized the parallel. Christ's invitation to follow Him was an invitation to that same kind of life." (p. 43)

The book consists of 225 pages divided into 13 chapters. Furthermore, there is a tremendous appendix entitled "Voices from Church History" containing quotes from various Christian scholars throughout the centuries supporting the concepts espoused in the book.

Simply stated, this book is a tremendous work and well worth the time it takes to read and devour. I sincerely wish every church-going person would do so. Some of them will discover they are still a slave to sin. Others will discover they have failed to obey their Master. In any case, the church will be blessed and the Lord will be glorified.

May each of us grasped the meaning of our slavery to Christ.

"The glorious reality is that, for all of eternity as His slaves, you and I and every other believer from all of human history will joyfully worship and exalt our heavenly Master--the King of kings and the Lord of lords." (p. 38)

I would truly hope those who read this new work by John MacArthur would come away converted, grateful, and committed.

Thanks to Thomas Nelson for providing a copy of this book for review. No other compensation was provided.

Enslaved

During my message this past Sunday morning, I shared some thoughts I had on the word "enslaved" in Galatians 4:3.  The root of the word is "doulos" often translated "servant" in English.  But I have known for some time there are other Greek words meaning "servant" and the best translation of  "doulos" is "slave".  Paul repeatedly refers to himself as the "slave of Christ".  In English, there is quite a difference in meaning when you compare "servant" to "slave". 

My thinking on "doulos" has been supported in my reading of earlier Christian authors and preachers.  English preachers such as Spurgeon will translate the word as "bond slave".  Augustine refers to Christians as "slaves of Christ".  There are many examples of such usage by a variety of authors, too many to list in a simple post. 

Then, a few years ago, I chose to use the Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) for my daily Bible readings.  I was blown away when I read its translation of the New Testament and saw "doulos" consistently translated "slave"! 

In Galatians 4:3, Paul explains how, prior to Christ, we were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world.  We were in bondage!  Reformed folks frequently describe the depravity of man by noting that apart from Christ we are in "bondage to sin", a phrase using the imagery of slavery.  Yet, for some reason, we do not press the usage of the word bondage and the concept of slavery when we think of our position in Christ.  Why is that?  Did He not buy us with a price?  Are we not His peculiar possession?  Do we not call Him Lord (which means "master")? 

Yes, over the past couple of years I have become convinced we need to speak and write more on the subject of our "slavery to Christ".  We are not simply His servants; we are truly His slaves!  We are not free to our lives how we want and call ourself Christian.  No, we are to live our lives as He demands!

By the Providence of God, a book from Thomas Nelson publishers arrived at my home yesterday.  I am a "blogger" reviewer.  I chose this book as the next one I wanted to review simply for one reason:  it is written by John MacArthur.  I knew the title was "Slave" but assumed Dr. MacArthur was writing on the Bible and the subject of physical slavery perhaps from a historical perspective.  Needless to say, I was blown away today when I opened the first chapter and read:

"Yet, the Bible uses one metaphor more frequently than any of these.  It is a word picture you might not expect, but it is absolutely critical for understanding what it means to follow Jesus.  It is the image of a slave." (page 12)

Sure enough, Dr. MacArthur is writing on the Biblical usage of the word "doulos" and how it should be translated "slave" and what that image should teach us about living as a Christian.  Forget the "healthy, wealthy, and wise" preachers.  The Bible tells us we are to live in Christ as a slave.

Now that's radical!

I'm grateful God has put this book into my hands at this moment.  In two days I will be on my December vacation and one of my objectives is to devour this book and to seek the Lord to help me better understand how I should live not simply as a Christian but as a slave of Christ.

May He be praised!