64: FALL, FAITH, JUDGMENT…NAHUM, HABAKKUK, ZEPHANIAH

Based on the Books of Nahum (Na), Habakkuk (Hab), & Zephaniah (Zeph.)…Read more there.

NAHUM

Nahum is a Prophet in the old southern kingdom of Judea probably just before the destruction of Nineveh, the Assyrian capital, by the Babylonians in 612BC. That destruction is the main focus of this short book written, like some other ‘minor’ Prophets, in poetry. Hearing the prophecy chanted or even sung may have helped memorising. CH.1: The main theme is God’s wrath directed against Nineveh (= the Assyrians in general) who had destroyed the old northern kingdom of Israel in 721BC. vv. 12, 13, & 15, however contrast Nineveh’s fate with the prospect of a better future for Judea [1]. CH.2 continues the tirade against Nineveh & this continues still further in CH.3. After a vivid description of a war-torn city, its downfall is likened, vv.11-13 or 15, depending on editing, to the downfall of the great city of Thebes in Egypt at the hands of these same Assyrians in 663BC. 

Notes: [1] Judea, though, was itself totally subjugated by Babylon not long after this (587-6 BC).

HABAKKUK [1]

We know nothing about Habakkuk. Parts of the book bearing his name appear to come from the late 7th C BC, & others from the late 6th C. CH.1 & CH.2:1-4 consist of a question & answer session between Habakkuk & YHWH God about right-living, justice, & punishment. CH.1:5-11 introduces the Babylonians as those who will carry out God’s justice, in which case they will prove to be a two-edged sword! In N.T. times, S. Paul takes up YHWH’s response [2:4] of the “upright will live through faithfulness” (NJB) giving it a lasting emphasis in Christian theology [2]. After a brief introduction the rest of the chapter is a series of threats (perhaps more clearly seen in the editing of NJB) against various classes of evil-doers. CH.3 begins & ends with musical directions suggesting some expectation it would be sung like a psalm, but we don’t know the context for this.

First comes a prayer, then ‘appearances’ of God on earth to deal with His enemies & aid His people, & ends with a ‘towering expression of faith [1]. 

Notes: [1] “..this prophecy presents the picture of a man who believes & yet questions…a healthy & not unspiritual exercise…& closes with a towering expression of faith scarcely equalled in the O.T.” John B Taylor, p.63, The Minor Prophets, S.U., London, 1970 [2] Rom1:17, Gal 3:11. 

ZEPHANIAH

The introduction tells us Zephaniah operated in Judea in the reign of the reforming king, Josiah (BC 640-609) meaning he overlaps the ministry of Jeremiah. CH.1 spells out Zeph’s main theme: the day of YHWH’s visitation is near, & it will be terrible for those who fall foul of Him! The warning of CH.2:1-3 rounds off the judgment theme of CH.1 but also holds out hope (v.3) of being saved from destruction by turning to YHWH. This is a hope that emerges in the O.T. & carries over into the N.T. Faithless Hebrews, though, will suffer the same fate as the enemy & idolatrous nations who ‘cop a serve’ in vv.4-15. Although CH.3 begins with a ‘serve’ to the people of Judea itself, the focus again shifts in vv.6-8 to an attack on other nations, softened (v. 9) to a note of hope & con-version. This is expanded into one of the great legacies of the O.T., the idea of a faithful remnant remaining true to God no matter what others are doing. The Noah story from pre-history sows the seeds of this idea of finding new life in God & it is later taken up in the N.T. [1]. And there’s still more to come…65: Rebuilding a Temple & a People…Haggai & Zecharaiah

Notes: [1] ‘They who participate in this new life are the new Israel…& the remnant according to the election of grace’ [RO 11:5] Richardson (Ed.), Theological Word Book of the Bible, SCM, London, 1956, p.191

Q: Can we find one thing in each of the above books clearly relevant to our own life & faith?