The Internet of Things
When I read Nahum 3:4-5, it stopped me in my tracks. This ancient prophetic scripture seems to leap from the pages, describing something eerily familiar in today’s world: the internet.
Yes, the internet, with its seductive allure, its “wisdom of attraction,” and its vast nets capturing nations and families alike, mirrors the false woman in Nahum’s prophecy.
The connections are striking. Let’s dive into this scripture, uncover its parallels to the internet, and explore what it reveals about our digital age.
The Seduction
Nahum speaks of a “loose woman, expert in attraction and wise in secret arts,” whose false ways capture nations and families. Think about the internet’s bombardment of advertisements, social media influencers, clickbait headlines, and algorithmic precision designed to keep us engaged. It’s all about seduction—keeping our attention, feeding our desires, and, ultimately, pulling us into its net.
- The “wisdom of attraction” mirrors targeted ads, tailored content, and the endless stream of visually appealing distractions that flood our screens.
- The “secret arts” bring to mind the hidden algorithms, metadata collection, and the intricate designs that manipulate behavior and gather information without us even realizing it.
The internet promises freedom and connection but often delivers addiction, comparison, and discontentment. It captures nations in its net, tying families and individuals into a web that often entangles rather than liberates.
“Because of all the false ways of the loose woman, expert in attraction and wise in secret arts, who takes nations in the net of her false ways, and families through her secret arts.”
Nahum 3:4
The Unveiling
One of the most chilling parallels in Nahum’s prophecy is the imagery of skirts being pulled over faces, exposing shame and secrets to the world. The internet, for all its promises of privacy and security, has repeatedly failed to keep its users’ information safe.
Massive data breaches have revealed personal details of billions—emails, passwords, financial information, even intimate photos. What was once hidden under the “skirts” of digital systems is now exposed for the world to see.
This unveiling isn’t just about individuals. Entire nations have been affected by cyberattacks, espionage, and leaks, leaving governments and corporations scrambling to recover from the shame of exposure. In the prophetic words of Nahum, this is the moment when the “Lord of armies” says, “I will have your skirts pulled over your face, and let the nations see you unclothed, and the kingdoms your shame.”
“See, I am against you, says the Lord of armies, and I will have your skirts pulled over your face, and let the nations see you unclothed, and the kingdoms your shame.”
Nahum 3:5
Double-Edged Sword
The internet is a tool, but like any tool, it can be used for good or evil. It connects us, educates us, and empowers us, but it also exposes, entangles, and deceives. It embodies the duality of attraction and destruction, the same duality described in Nahum’s prophecy.
- The Nations in the “Net”
Nations rely on the internet for trade, governance, communication, and security. But this dependence makes them vulnerable to manipulation, cyberattacks, and surveillance. The very “net” that connects us can also ensnare us. - Families Through “Secret Arts”
Families are lured into the digital world, sharing personal lives online, often unaware of how this information is used, stored, or sold. The internet’s “secret arts” of algorithms and data mining create profiles of our lives, leaving us exposed to targeted manipulation and even identity theft.
A Prophetic Warning
Nahum’s prophecy serves as both a warning and a call to awareness. It forces us to ask hard questions about our relationship with the internet:
- Are we allowing it to lure us into complacency or moral compromise?
- Are we protecting our personal lives, or are we freely offering them up to the digital “loose woman”?
- Are we mindful of how much control the “nets” of this world have over our lives?
This isn’t just about technology—it’s about the spiritual condition of our hearts. The internet reflects our collective choices, desires, and vulnerabilities. If we allow it to be our master, we risk falling into the traps it sets.
“The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.”
Proverbs 22:3
Guarding Against the Digital Net
So, how do we protect ourselves in a world where the internet’s snares are everywhere? Here are a few principles to consider:
- Discernment
Not everything online is what it seems. Test the messages, the influences, and the promises you encounter.”Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God.”
(1 John 4:1) - Boundaries
Limit what you share, how much time you spend, and what content you consume. Protect your digital footprint as you would protect your physical home. - Accountability
Surround yourself with people who help you stay grounded and make wise choices. - Seek Wisdom
Ask God for guidance in navigating the digital world. He is the source of true wisdom, far beyond the “wisdom of attraction” offered by the internet.”If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”
(James 1:5)
The Internet Exposed
Nahum’s prophecy reminds us that no matter how advanced or powerful something seems, it is not beyond God’s judgment or control. The internet, like the “loose woman,” may capture nations and families in its net, but God sees its true nature. He exposes what is hidden, revealing both the good and the evil.
As we navigate this digital age, let’s stay vigilant. Let’s use the internet wisely, guarding our hearts and minds against its snares. And let’s remember that while the internet may promise everything, true fulfillment and security come only from the Lord.
“The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”
Psalm 18:2
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