Covenanter Witness Vol. 55 - Rparchives.org

poetry."now."city."carlessly"continually?"right?"might."never"Lesson Helps for the Week of October 30, 1955C. Y. P. U. TOPICfor October 30, 1955NAHCM: THE COMFORTERComments by Theodore F. HarshPersonnel File Card:Name: NahumAddress :sible locationsElkosh (there are several poslee, in Judea)Occupation: Prophetnear Nineveh, in GaliOther Activity: Political observerRemarks: "Nahum was a patriotic saint.His sensitive nature, strained nearly tothe breaking point by the godless cruelty of the inhuman warriors was almostfanatical in his exultation over the horrible sufferingof the enemy. His soul,on fire with righteous indignation,flashed and blazed in dramaticKyle M. Yates.Nahum delivered the message thatJonah wanted to deliver. He denouncedwicked Nineveh, not only as an enemyof his people, but as an enemy of GodHimself. He did not call for personaland national repentence as Amos did(Amos 5:4-6). He did not plead for arestoration of lost loyaltyas Hosea did(Hosea 12:6). He did not seek to winhis own people with Micah's tenderness(Micah 6:3). There is not even the hintof clemency for a repentent Nineveh inNahum's prophecy that we found in theaccount of Jonah (Jonah 4:10,11). Nahum enthusiastically declared that justice would be done. Nineveh's wickednesswould receive the punishment it so welldeserved.I. Chapter I. The Judgment of NinevehdeclaredIsrael was a satellite of Assyria. Assyrian policy was to deport conqueredpeople to other lands to destroy theirsense ofeasier to control.nationality and make themThe Assyrians were great warriors.They were continually out on raidingparties. Most nations then were robbernations, and the Assyrians seem to havebeen the champions. They built theirempire on loot from other nations. Theywere cruel. They skinned prisoners alive,cut off their hands, feet, noses, ears, orpulled out their tongues, put out theireyes, and made mounds of human skulls,all to inspire terror.Micah and Isaiah had held out thehope of a future world peace. Nahumpromised quick relief from their greatoppressor, Assyria, with its capital atNineveh. Like the Psalmist, the people of Israel asked, "How long, O Lord?"(Psalm 94:3,4).Nahum said, "It won't be longIt makes less difference how dark the234tunnel is if we can see the light at theend. Hardship has less chance of destroying those who have hope that itwill end. Nahum announced that end indeclaring God's judgment of Nineveh.II. Chapter II. The Judgment ofNineveh DescribedThe fall of Nineveh occurred in 612or 607 B.C. Within about 20 years ofNahum's prediction, an army of Babylonians and Medes closed in on the city.After a two-year siege, a sudden rise ofwater washed away part of the city wall,and the invaders swarmed in (Nahum2:6). Prancing horces, cracking whips,rattling wheels, bouncing chariots,flashing swords, and great heaps of deadbodies were to be seen as promised inNahum 2:3,4; 3:1-3,7; and "the rejoicing city that dwelt(Zeph.2 :13-15) was no more. Xenophon passedby two hundred years later and thoughtthe mounds of Nineveh were "ruins ofsomeParthianAlexandertheGreat fought the battle of Arbela nearthe site of ancient Nineveh in 331 B.C.and did not know there had even beena city there.in. Chapter HI. The Judgment ofNineveh DefendedWho is it that has judged Nineveh?Is it Nahum? or Israel? or a group ofworld statesmen? No."Behold, I amagainst thee, saith the Lord of hosts"(Nahum 2:13). Consider this statementof opposition in connection with Nahum's character sketch of God (Nahum1:2-7).Compare Nahum's characterization ofGod with Psalm 103:8; Psalm 29; Psalm93; Psalm 104:27-32; Psalm 130:3;Psalm 27:5; Psalm 46:1; Psalm 1:6.The denunciation is summed up inthe last words, "For upon whom hathnot thy wickedness passed(Nahum 3:19). Nahum might haveasked with Abraham, "Shall not thejudge of all the earth do Hemight have cited the warning of Psalm9 : 17, "The wicked shall be turned intohell,God."and all the nations that forgetFor Psalms to sing at this meetingtry the above Psalms that were suggested as parallel to Nahum's charactersketch of God.Psalm 103, page 247Psalm 29, page 67Psalm 93, page 227Psalm 104, page 256Psalm 130, page 326Psalm 27, page 62Psalm 46, page 118Psalm 1, page 2.JUNIOR TOPICOCTOBER 30, 1955A WOMAN JUDGEBy Marjorie Mitchel Glenwood, Minn.Scripture Text Judges 4, 5Memory Verse Judges 5: 31"Let all thine enemies perish, O Lord :but let them that love Him be as thesun when he goeth forth in hisPsalms1. Psalm 31, vs. 1-4, page 71Notice the trust in God for help inthese verses.2. Psalm 34, vs. 1-6, page 79See how we can praise the Lord forHis help in all things.3. Psalm 46, vs. 1, 2, 9, 10, page 118The Lord is our strength in all timesof trouble.Memory Psalm Psalm 136, page 334,learn vs. 1, 2In this lesson for October 30andthose through November 20 we will beseeing how God gives victory to thosewho obey and try to please Him. OurMemory Psalm also shows this and isthanking Him for this victory. Duringthese weeks we will be learning verses1-4, 12, 13. If you like, more verses ofthis psalm could be memorized. Noticehow the words "For mercy hath Heever"and "For His grace failethare repeated in each verse. This was toemphasize how much they loved theLord and we should sing these wordswith meaningthought.and with that sameReferences Joshua 1:9; Exo. 15:20,21;Ezra 3:11; Psalm 9:11; Psalm 81:1;Psalm 95:1; Luke 2:36-38.CommentsThe children of Israel were doingevil in the sight of the Lord at this time.So God allowed Jabin (king of the Canaanites in the North) to come andmake trouble for the Israelites. KingJabin had nine hundred chariots of ironand he made trouble for the Israelitesfor 20 years. And then the people finallyturned to Gcd for help.Israel was then ruled by Deborah, awoman judge, who was very wise andgood, who lived in a tent near finepalm trees. When people needed advice,they always came to Deborah. A judgewas a chief ruler of the Israelites, whoprobably had authority to make allthe important decisions about the peoplesuch as criminal and other cases.God told her to tell Barak, a soldier,that God wanted him to take 10,000soldiers and go up north to fight Sisera,who was captain of Jabin's army. Godpromised Barak the victory over them.Barak was timid and said to Deborah,COVENANTER WITNESS