Exploring Nahum and Obadiah: An Expositional Commentary
Overview
Approximately one hundred years after Jonah preached to the citizens of Nineveh to turn "from their evil ways" and escape imminent judgment, God commissioned Nahum to prophesy the city’s complete destruction. At the time, the Assyrian Empire was both strong and wealthy, yet Nahum prophesied that soon the entire kingdom would be crushed forever under the power of God’s wrath. Obadiah’s prophecy unveils God’s sovereignty over all nations and events, and gives an example of his direct intervention in the political and military affairs of human history. The Sovereign LORD does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: "What have you done?"
Both prophecies are a revelation of God's character and his moral government of the world—a revelation that contains a message of hope, comfort, and encouragement. It matters not how many nations oppose his rule or oppress his people; it makes no difference how many spiritual forces of evil ally themselves for his dethronement, for the Lord’s purposes will prevail. All that he has promised will be fulfilled. He is in control. His dominion is an eternal dominion.
Top Highlights
“The entire prophecy is directed against the city of Nineveh in particular and the Assyrian empire in general. In fact, it is the almost unique peculiarity of Nahum’s prophecy that it is devoted to a single theme: the destruction of the bloody and rapacious empire of Nineveh, with all its gods. It is a revelation of God’s character and of his moral government of the world—a revelation that lends much needed comfort and encouragement to his afflicted people (cf. 1:12).” (Page 13)
“The Sovereign Lord’s control of all nations, his absolute hatred of sin, and his unfailing love for his chosen people” (Page 72)
“The Lord will not condemn the innocent, nor will he ‘leave the guilty unpunished’ (1:3” (Page 14)
“contains a message of hope, comfort and encouragement for every Christian: ‘The Lord reigns for ever’!” (Page 77)
“The overthrow of the great city is a visible revelation of the invisible ‘Judge of all the earth’ (Genesis 18:25)” (Page 13)
Tim Shenton takes us to the most neglected of the Old Testament prophecies, Nahum and Obadiah, and gives us a clear verse-by-verse explanation... This is a book that provides both understanding of difficult books and comfort for difficult times—and that certainly makes it well-worth reading!
—Roger Ellsworth
- Title: Exploring Nahum and Obadiah: An Expositional Commentary
- Author: Tim Shenton
- Publisher: Day One Publications
- Publication Date: 2007
- Pages: 112