Question: What or who is Nahum?
Answer: Prophet of the Old Testament and a Book of the Bible
There are lots of books in the Bible – seventy-three to be exact (forty-six in the Old Testament and twenty-seven in the New Testament). Many of those books are familiar to us all. We have all heard of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. We are aware of the Acts of the Apostles, Proverbs, and the Psalms. My guess is that we even acquainted with several others in between Genesis and Revelation. But I challenge any of you to claim knowledge of Nahum. Until a recent assignment for my prophet’s class I am not sure I would have recognized Nahum as a prophet of the Old Testament … sounds more like an atomic mineral or an exotic spice.
Indeed Nahum is one of the seventh century B.C. prophets who preached during an unstable and uncertain time. Unlike other books in Scripture where God’s mercy is emphasized, the book of Nahum spotlights a warning and foretaste of God’s judgment. The full awesomeness of God’s wrath is revealed and is leveled upon a nation that believed itself to be unequaled in power and invincible. Through Nahum we learn that no matter how powerful a nation or person or any enemy of God might appear to be, they will not last. Sooner or later (maybe sooner than expected) they will come to nothing, falling into ruin … while God’s power will prevail!
I found the reading of Nahum to be interesting … in an odd way. There is no phrase that I felt compelled to copy down and hang on my bathroom mirror. I did find Nahum to be unique in its words. The images that Nahum puts forth are vivid and powerful. In three short chapters Nahum paints an extremely intense picture of God’s power and might.
I challenge you get acquainted with the prophets of the Old Testament. Along with the biggies like Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel there are others to know. I challenge you to read Nahum … let me know what you think!
Sister Lisa Maurer
Sister Lisa Maurer was born and raised in Sleep Eye, Minnesota. Before entering the Monastery in 2007, she taught and coached in Catholic Schools within the New Ulm Diocese. Sister Lisa Made her Perpetual Monastic Profession in July ll, 2012. Her first ministry as a Benedictine Sister was working at the parishes of St. Lawrence and St. Joseph in Duluth. Currently she is Director of Mission Integration for the Benedictine Health System.