The Yale expositor. (Yale, St. Clair County, Mich.) 1894-current, 1908-09-18

the members of his family slain, he
had fed for his life and found a ref
uge in Judea. There he had come
under the influence of Isaiah the
prophet, and was one of the eager
listeners to all his messages. When
IL had seemed as though Sennacherib' s
army was about to sweep over the city
he had heard and believed Isaiah's
message that the enemy should not
come nigh the walls of the city to
do them hurt And he had gone
everywhere through the city repeating
the words which he had heard Isaiah
preach.
But he knew the Assyrian army too
well to think that the relief was any
thing but temporary, and when he
heard the rlaint of the people saying
that the Assyrian forces would yet re-
turn with redoubled vengeance and
utterly destroy Jerusalem, he could
but admit TO his heart that such was
more than likely to be the case.
1t is God who giveth power TO
the nations, and it is God who hath
suffered Assyria to become so great,
but will he permit that greatness and
power to eliminate in the destruc-
ton of jerusalem" Nahum asked
himself one day as he pondered over
the question WAS il not Nineveh
that God would destroy, and sent
Jonah the prophet to proclaim the
judgment upon the great city? And
had not Nineveh repented and so es-
capped the wrath of God? And since
that day how arrogant and bold she
had grown, how cruel in her con-
quests, AMI how lustful in her desire
for world power and gain" So rea.
soned Nahum TO himself
Can it be that God knows or
cares?" he exclaimed. half impatient.
ly Then ashamed of himself for
such expression of doubt, he added,
quickly: Nay. the wicked cannot
escape the wrath of God"
With the thought came a startling
resolution. He would go TO Nineveh.
He would see the great city. Per
haps God would clear up the mys-
terry of his providences.
Needless for us to follow Nahum on
the long, tedious, painful and peril
Gus journey to Nineveh, the seat of
the Assyrian power and glory. Suf-
fee it to say that at last, footsore
and weary, the prophet drew near to
the city. And what a city it was!
Jerusalem could not compare with
her in size or the splendor and
richness of her possessions. Silently
and mournfully the prophet witnessed
all that spoke Of power invincible and
riches inexhaustible. II seemed to his
human vision that nothing could ever
break Assyria's power and bring the
great city OF Nineveh low.
And why do / want 1t brought
low" he asked himself one night
Hath God any delight in the death
of the wicked? And should l feed my
soul upon the thought of vengeance?
Why was It that God spared Nineveh
once? Was 1t not that he found some
goodness here and a turning of the
people to the true God of Israel? Is
there any here who knows the true
God and desires to serve him."
The new thought gave a new inspir-
alton in his search of the city, but go
where he would he could detect only
wickedness and pride such as is found
in heart wholly given up to evil.
What can God do with such a city
and people but bring destruction
upon them?" he asked himself at last.
And il God hath no delight in the
death of the wicked, surely he must
bring judgment upon them that good
ness may not be utterly crushed in the
earth. God is, indeed, slow to anger,
but he will not suffer the wicked to
triumph forever"
And with this reassuring thought he
started on the long journey home.
"Nineveh in her proud Boosting
shall be brought low" he kept say
ing over and over to himself. And
those in Jerusalem who are among
the faithful and expect TO see the
goodness of the Lord in the land of
the living will not be disappointed"
In this spirit he drew nigh TO the
gates of Jerusalem one day and was
ABOUT 10 cnleI, WHEN Jne InOuBnl
came: But where is thy messenger
Obedient TO the thought, he turned
his footsteps in the direction of IA
vorite trysting place of his where he
had in the past spent many hours in
communion with his God.
A few days later the city was stirred
TO its foundations with the message
of the prophet Nahum.
Woe TO Nineveh, the city of
blood" he cried 1T is all full of lies
and robbery; the prey departeth not.
Behold l am against thee, saith the
Lord of hosts; And l will discover thy
skirts upon thy face, and l will show
the nations thy nakedness and the
kingdoms thy shame. And because
God will not delay his anger forever,
but bringeth the wicked at last to
judgment, o Judah" the prophet
cried, appealingly. keep thy solemn
feasts, perform thy vows: for the
wicked shall no more pass through
thee; he is utterly cut or"
vUorkina lIndsr niffiruIkfsa