A bully nation collapses

BACKGROUND

"The 7th century BC (700-601 BC) was defined by the peak and sudden, violent collapse of the Neo-Assyrian Empire, which dominated the Near East before being destroyed ... by 612 BC." - British Museum

NAHUM’S VISION

In his Introduction to Nahum, Eugene Peterson (The Message) writes: 

“The stage of history is large. Larger-than-life figures appear on this stage from time to time, swaggering about, brandishing weapons and money, terrorizing and bullying.  ... They often manage to get a significant number of people watching and even admiring ... [In contrast], God's characteristic way of working is in quietness...

“Assyria had the whole world terrorized... Assyria (and its capital, Nineveh) appeared invincible. A world free of Assyrian domination was unimaginable. Nahum's task was to make it imaginable...”

NINEVEH (ASSYRIA) FALLS

Writing in the NRSVUE* Study Bible, Peter Dubovský explains the situation:

“The true nature of Assyria, stripped of the veil of propaganda, is revealed, and Assyria ends up humiliated and destroyed. Assyria collapses, while the whole world rejoices. 

“Nahum reverses Assyrian propaganda…”

Assyria – the aggressor-enemy – is punished, and Judah is liberated.

Dubovský explains that the symbols of power, like chariots (Nahum2:13, 3:2), swords (3:3), and lions (2:11-13) were used as propaganda, carved in clay and stone. Today, we would see that on our television screens or posted on the Internet). Nahum calls out these boasting subterfuges.

IMAGES

Nahum gives us a sense of God’s mighty power. In particular, I like the images which relate to water (NRSVUE) —

1:4 He rebukes the sea and makes it dry, and he dries up all the rivers…

1:7-8 The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he protects those who take refuge in him, even in a rushing flood…

2:6 The river gates are opened; the palace trembles.

WHAT GETS DESTROYED?

We learn in Christian Science and that sin punishes itself. Mary Baker Eddy writes:

“This is a period of doubt, inquiry, speculation, selfishness; of divided interests, marvellous good, and mysterious evil. But sin can only work out its own destruction; and reform does and must push on the growth of mankind.” (Miscellaneous Writings 1883-1896, 237:19)

Nahum was a reformer. His writing enabled a new vision. We can catch that vision too.

Julie Swannell

*New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

Vivid imagination unsurpassed

Dear readers,

Over the 14 years we have been writing on this blog, we have read all bar two of the books of the Bible. Nahum is one of those two books.

In the June 1934 issue of The Christian Science Journal, there is an interesting piece about Nahum. It’s from Westminster Commentary* and it includes this lovely remark: 

His vivid imagination and his power to express what passes rapidly before his mental eye in vigorous, well-compacted, realistic language are unsurpassed by any of the Old Testament prophets. Expressing himself in as few words** as possible, he sets before his readers the entire scene which he describes in such a way that they are made to feel that it is actually being transacted before their eyes. It is like a picture which an artist sketches… His constructions are classical and idiomatic, and his language forcible and pure; they reveal the intensity of his feelings and create the impression that he is convinced of the certainty of his prediction, the truth of his charge, and the necessity of his denunciation.

The gist of Nahum’s “powerful prophecy”*** is that the flourishing Assyrian nation will be overthrown.

Is Nahum’s message that good always overthrows evil? Let’s take a look and find out.

Julie Swannell

*Aren't we grateful for Bible Commentaries!

**e.g. Nahum 1:9 "...he will make an utter end: affliction shall not rise up the second time."

***from the Encyclopedia Americana – quoted in The Christian Science Journal June 1934

The Sound of Love

There is a passage in Twelve Years with Mary Baker Eddy by Irving Tomlinson that has particular resonance for me. It is on pages 108-109.

 

Sarah Pike Conger, (who “was the wife of an American diplomat and served with him in China at the time of the Boxer Rebellion in 1900”) had had an interview with Mrs Eddy in 1897. Her description of how she heard the words of Mrs Eddy that day shows us what might be called “the sound of Love”. Here’s what she wrote (the underlining is mine):

 

“After a few words about the weather and me going to Brazil, she started out in Christian Science, every word sounding in the pure atmosphere of Love. Such a day I never saw before nor since - Love was the key note and all other notes were in harmony with it. Those words of advice and encouragement were from the mother-heart and all was love. To make unforgettable—permanent—her points, she would tell some of her demonstrations. Her words and their intonations—her earnestness—her tenderness—her positiveness—her great understanding awakened and quickened my heart-beats with new life and its activity.

 

“… when I heard her voice utter the words there was a life in them beyond the written word—and they have vibrated in sweet-echoing tones through these years, helping me to remember and to detect the Christ-hand ever pointing the way heavenward.”

 

What is this language of Love which quickens the heartstrings? What does Love sound like? How can we hear it and speak it to others? Sarah Conger writes that Mrs Eddy said, “I have striven earnestly to have my students speak in a language which would be understood.”

 

I am reminded of Mrs Eddy’s poem Christ, my refuge: (See hymns 253-257 and 550-552.)

 

O’er waiting harpstrings of the mind
There sweeps a strain,
Low, sad, and sweet, whose measures bind
The power of pain,

And wake a white-winged angel throng
Of thoughts, illumed
By faith, and breathed in raptured song,
With love perfumed.
(Hymn. 253:1, 2)

 

It is Love stirring one to know and feel its presence, its harmony, its light. That is the sound of Love!

 

Marie Fox