Avoid Wickedness 09.26.08

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Today we are studying the books Nahum and Habakkuk, please read Nahum Chapters 1-3 in your Bible or Click Here to read Nahum online. You can also cut and paste this link to your browser: biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Nahum%201-3&version=9

Today we will read and learn about Nahum's prophecy and the destruction of Nineveh; and Habakkuk's sorrow and prayer. Today's message focuses on the importance of avoiding wickedness and living by faith.

The book of Nahum is the 34th book of the Old Testament and contains 3 chapters, the author of the book was Nahum and it was written to the nation of Nineveh. The purpose of the book was to warn the nation of the judgement that had been placed upon the capitol of the Assyrian empire who took God's people into captivity. What we are to learn from the book is that we need to be aware of the judgement that we face if we are the cause of evil. It was about 150 years after Jonah's prophecy since the nation had repented and was saved from destruction. God called on the prophet Nahum to address the nation, "The burden of Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite. God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies. The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet. He rebuketh the sea, and maketh it dry, and drieth up all the rivers: Bashan languisheth, and Carmel, and the flower of Lebanon languisheth. The mountains quake at him, and the hills melt, and the earth is burned at his presence, yea, the world, and all that dwell therein." (Nahum 1:1-5).

Now, the time had come for them to be judged by God, Judah was captive to Assyria, but Nahum foretold of their freedom as long as they remained faithful to God through the war. "And the LORD hath given a commandment concerning thee, that no more of thy name be sown: out of the house of thy gods will I cut off the graven image and the molten image: I will make thy grave; for thou art vile. Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace! O Judah, keep thy solemn feasts, perform thy vows: for the wicked shall no more pass through thee; he is utterly cut off." (Nahum 1:14-15). Assyria was probably the most brutal of all the ancient heathen nations, God warned them of there coming destruction, "Woe to the bloody city! it is all full of lies and robbery; the prey departeth not;" (3:1). The nation of Ninevah was destroyed exactly as it was foretold and the once mighty city is still laid waste today to be a witness to the accuracy of the Word of God.

Many people misunderstand when God says He is a jealous God, this does not mean that He is jealous of you, His child, this means that He is jealous of the man made gods that take His place. One thing God detests more than anything is the wicked that deliberately causes sin, it is one thing to sin by err, but it is another thing to deliberately create the sin, (Ex: One can fall into pornographic sin, but the one that created the pictures, movies etc. is the creator of the sin.). For this reason we are to remain protected by the wickedness of the world. "Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." (Ephesians 6:11-13).

Also read Habakkuk Chapters 1-3 or Click Here to read them online, cut & paste to your browser: biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Habakkuk%201-3%20&version=9

The book of Habakkuk is the 35th book of the Old Testament and also contains 3 chapters. The author of the book was Habakkuk and it was written to the people of Judah. The purpose of the book was to awaken the spiritual needs of Judah and to warn them of the impending upon them from God. What we are to learn from this book is that we are live by faith and not sight. God used Habakkuk to warn His idol worshipping people of the impending judgement that was placed upon them and that He was using the nation of Babylon to punish them. Habukkuk was burdened by what He saw, "The burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see. O LORD, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save! Why dost thou shew me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance? for spoiling and violence are before me: and there are that raise up strife and contention. Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth. Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvelously: for I will work a work in your days which ye will not believe, though it be told you." (Habukkuk 1:1-5).

However, God assured him that those who were just (righteous) Him would be saved, "And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith." (2:2-4). Habukkuk ended his prophecy by putting his faith in God, "Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments." (3:17-18)

Habukkuk is an example that we all must follow, no matter how bleak the future looks we can not take our eyes off God. We must learn to live by faith and not by sight. "Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)." (II Corinthians 5:6-7).

In today's reading Jesus Christ is revealed through the One who the sea obeys, (Nahum 1:4). Jesus commanded the sea to be still, (Matthew 8).

Have a great and wonderful day!
God bless you,
Christina

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