Study Questions:

1. How much evil did Manasseh do before the Lord? (2 Chronicles 33:9)

2. What do you think of God’s reaction to Manasseh’s repentance? (2 Chronicles 33:12-13)

3. For what city did Nahum prophesy? (Nahum 1:1)

Commentary and Reflection:

Here are brief comments on the reign of Manasseh—his wickedness, repentance—and the brief, impious reign of his son, Amon.

Manasseh reigned in Jerusalem for 55 years, a long time during which he undid all the good his father, Hezekiah, had done. Scripture states that he did evil before God, like the nations that the Lord had driven out before His people in Canaan. When adversity came in the form of captivity, Manasseh wholeheartedly repented, was forgiven, and restored; however, the spiritual damage inflicted on the nation was permanent.

We observe God’s sensitivity to prayer:
“But when he was in distress, he entreated the favor of the Lord his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. He prayed to Him, and God was moved by his entreaty and heard his plea and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord was God.” (2 Chronicles 33:12-13)

What a blessing we have in prayer! We must value and make use of it. God is willing and does not resist sincere prayer, even when it arises during trials we have brought upon ourselves.

However, even if we are forgiven, as Manasseh was, the effects of sin and its consequences remain. Our mistakes and failings affect not only ourselves but also our loved ones and those within our sphere of influence—especially our children, as seen in the case of Amon.

The theme of the book of Nahum is the prophecy of the destruction of Nineveh, the capital of Assyria.
“Nahum” means “comforted” or “the one who is comforted” (Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Introduction to Nahum, Theme).

“For this reason, the prophecy complements Jonah’s message. Jonah preached repentance in Nineveh, and because its inhabitants humbled themselves before God, the city was spared. However, Nineveh fell back into iniquity, and Nahum’s mission was to predict the divine judgment of its destruction. Nineveh’s pride, cruelty, and idolatry had reached their limit” (Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Introduction to Nahum, Theme).

Nahum 1 describes the Lord’s wrath against the wicked:
“Who can stand before His indignation? Who can endure the heat of His anger? His wrath is poured out like fire, and the rocks are broken into pieces by Him.” (Nahum 1:6)

Yet He knows those who trust in Him and is a refuge in the day of trouble:
“The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; He knows those who take refuge in Him.” (Nahum 1:7)

Nahum 1:9 refers to the Lord’s complete punishment of Assyria. This verse has also been cited to support the idea that after sin’s history on this earth, evil will rise no more.
The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary on this verse states:
“The repetition of this thought (‘consume’ in verse 8) highlights the certainty of Nineveh’s fall, for the punishment God will bring upon the Assyrians will be so complete and permanent that they will never again, not even ‘a second time,’ oppress God’s people. Although Nahum specifically refers here to Assyria’s fall, his words can also be understood to describe the final fate of all the wicked, of whom Assyria is a symbol. When they are finally removed from the earth in the ultimate judgment, they will never rise again; they will not endure (Psalm 37:6-11, 38; Malachi 4:1; 2 Peter 3:10-13; Revelation 20:12–21:5). Then it will be gloriously true that the ‘trouble’ (RVA), ‘anguish’ (BJ) of sin will never again disturb God’s universe (GC 558).” (Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Nahum 1:9).

Nahum 1:15 is similar to Isaiah 52:7, and it’s possible Nahum was quoting or paraphrasing Isaiah:
“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns.’” (Isaiah 52:7)

These are God’s good news for you today:
“The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; He knows those who take refuge in Him.” (Nahum 1:7)

May you have a blessed day.