Nahum by F. D. Starr

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Jul 19, 1905

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 31, No. 29.

Nahum.

By F. D. Starr

“The burden of Nineveh.” It will be remembered that, in the days of Jonah, Nineveh was saved from its impending doom, because the men of Nineveh repented at the preaching of Jonah. But that was about one hundred and fifty years before the days of Nahum, and Nineveh had relapsed into a very sinful condition. The words of Peter would apply: “But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again, and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.” 2 Peter 2:22. Tho Nineveh so sincerely repented, yet, in the days of Nahum, it was a “bloody city, . . . all full of lies and robbery.” Chapter 3:1. This is the sad history of nations and individuals, so often repeated, of retrograding from a state of comparative righteousness and virtue to a condition of corruption and vice. Nineveh went down into oblivion, destroyed on account of its wickedness, tho it had once reformed, and been spared.

Portions of this book seem to have a double fulfilment. The description of the chariots as given in Nahum 2:3-6, while doubtless referring to the war chariots in use in those ancient times, seems to find a very apt application to the modern railway cars, as now demonstrated before our eyes. They surely run like the lightnings; and, as a careful reading will show, the description of these chariots brings vividly to mind the construction and operation of the present railway train. This was to be in the day of God’s “preparation.” A people are to be prepared for the coming of the Lord, as Noah and his family were prepared for the Flood, in the days when the ark was in preparation. 1 Peter 3:20.

Habakkuk.

This prophet seems to have been contemporary with Jeremiah. The destruction of the nations that have been oppressors of God’s people is foretold in this book, and, while it is prophetic in its nature, yet the book is full of practical instruction. The prophet is told to “write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.” It is evident from this that God is pleased to have the lines of prophecy found in His Book illustrated on charts or in any manner that will help the inquirer to understand the matter. The evil of the treating habit is denounced in this striking manner: “Wo unto him that giveth his neighbor drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken also.” O, that every tippler might realize the force of these startling words, and know that in the great judgment day he will have to meet them again. How quickly would the bottle or the cup fall from his hands! The prophet looks down the stream of time till he comes to the “day of trouble” (chapter 3:16), just before the coming of the Lord, and gives us these inspired words of assurance and confidence: “Altho the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labor 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 will I rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.” God’s people will yet know the worth of these precious words, in the day of trial.

Zephaniah.

This prophet lived about the same time as Habakkuk. He also takes in the closing scenes of this earth’s history, “the great day of the Lord” (chapter 1:14), “a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress.” “Before the decree bring forth” this exhortation is given: “Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought His judgment; seek righteousness; seek meekness; it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord’s anger.” This decree must be the decree found in Rev. 22:11, when the day of probation is over.

“The filthy must his filth retain, He that is holy so remain.”

This book also closes with the glorious sunlight of God’s mercy bursting forth from behind the clouds: “At that time will I bring you again, even in the time that I gather you; for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before your eyes saith the Lord.”

Haggai.

Haggai flourished in the times of the restitution of the city and people of Israel. He is thus mentioned in Ezra 6:14: “And the elders of the Jews builded, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo.” See, also, Eze. 5:1. While dealing with matters pertaining to his own people at that particular time, the prophet brings in the time when our earth shall be convulsed as never before. “For thus saith the Lord of hosts: Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land.” Chapter 2:6. As explained by Paul in Heb. 12:26, 27, and other scriptures, we see that this has application to the close of all earthly events. Then He who is the “Desire of all nations” shall come to rule in all His glory. Hasten on glad day! Among the practical exhortations of this book that are worthy of special consideration is the thought expressed in verse 8,—“The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine, saith the Lord of hosts.” Then, to whom do the treasures of earth belong? Whose are the means and the possessions we have in our hands?—They belong to the Lord; we are only stewards of the same. Let us be faithful in that which is not our own; and may the closing assurance of the book be truly ours, “I have chosen thee, saith the Lord of hosts.”

Forest, Idaho.