The book of Nahum is small, and it details the downfall of the Kingdom of Assyria. The capital was Nineveh, which you might remember from the book of Jonah. The first chapter of Nahum makes zero references to Assyria directly, and is expanded to include the world. 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles are showing the reasons for coming judgement on Judah for their sin. Judah's King Manasseh exemplifies rebellion. He was the son of King Hezekiah, and brought about a total reversal from Hezekiah, doing what is evil in the sight of the LORD. He rebuilds all the false places of worship and idols Hezekiah tore down. However, King Manasseh’s son, Josiah, brings about a revival in faithful worship after the book of the Law is found. King Josiah begins to follow the entirety of the Law of Moses; however, the damage has been done by Manasseh’s evil deeds. The last portion of Isaiah brings about the hope for this week. While God promises judgement against Assyria, the world, and even Judah, God also has a plan of redemption through the Servant of the LORD. Pay attention to the big picture in how God will bring about the year of the LORD’s favor.
Each week, as you take in the Bible, find some friends to talk it out. You can follow this simple guide to help. First, R.E.A.D. and P.R.A.Y. on your own. Then, meet with friends to share what you've learned.
R - Repeated words
E - Examine and mark
A - Ask what you learn about God
D - Do if there is anything to do
P - Praise
R - Repent
A - Ask
Bible Plan Reading Links - Week 40
START IT.
We're reading the Bible together in 2024. Specifically, we're taking a journey into how the story of the Bible unfolded in the Old Testament. If we get the big picture, we get the story the Bible is trying to tell us. From Sunday's message or The Big Picture Bible Reading Plan this week in the book of Isaiah or Nahum, what is impacting you the most? Was there a word, phrase, Bible verse, or theme that impacted you?
STUDY IT.
Read 2 Chronicles 32:11-12. What is the reason King Sennacherib (Assyria) thinks Hezekiah (Judah) is leading the people astray and God will not help them? How many places does King Sennacherib assume God would like to be worshiped?
Read Deuteronomy 12:1-14. What does God repeatedly say about where and how his people are to worship? How does this contrast with King Sennacherib’s own expectations in 2 Chronicles 32:11-12?
Read Isaiah 61:1-2. How do these verses apply to those in exile in that day? How do these verses apply to people today? Read Isaiah 66:1-2. Read Matthew 5:2-4. How is being poor in spirit a precondition to having the kingdom of heaven?
Read Luke 4:19. How are Jesus’ words like Isaiah 61:2? How are they different? What did Jesus leave out?
Read Isaiah 63:2-6. Read Revelation 19:11-16. Who are these passages speaking of? Are these passages happening in the past or future of our day?
SHARE IT.
Read 2 Chronicles 32:12. Why is it important for you to understand how to worship God?
Read 2 Kings 23:1-2,25-27. How did King Josiah know how to worship the LORD? How do you?
Read Isaiah 64:4. What does it mean to wait on the LORD? How do you know you are starting to try and control something you cannot?
Read Isaiah 64:6. What does it mean that your righteous deeds are like a polluted garment? How do you feel when you compare your good deeds to other people? How do you feel when you compare your good deeds to a Holy God?
Read Isaiah 66:1-2. At what times in your life have you trembled at God’s word with a humble and contrite spirit? How might God have been using these times to draw you closer to Him?
FINAL THOUGHT
Both Isaiah and Nahum prophesy judgement against wicked people and nations in their time, and also against the wider wicked world for all time. Throughout the Old Testament humanity has tried to approach God in their own way or ignore Him all together. Despite these things, Isaiah includes hopeful prophecies of God’s salvation of His people at the end of all things. Jesus quotes Isaiah 61:1-2 at the beginning of his ministry. The interesting thing is that he stops in the middle of verse 2. He states, “to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor,” and leaves out “the day of vengeance of our God.” The interesting part is that in Luke 4:20 and following the people try to kill Jesus after he suggests that grace might be withheld from them and offered to outsiders. His killers' wrath exposes their pride and proves they did not understand Jesus’ message. All people are sinners, and they cannot approach God based on their own sacrifices. It does not matter how many times or how many places a person might sacrifice, just as King Sennacherib assumed. Only those who understand they are saved by God’s grace through faith in the only perfect sacrifice are saved. Those who understand their good works are like polluted garments before the LORD are the poor in spirit. Jesus showed up proclaiming “the year of the LORD's favor”.
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