Nahum

Background

• Nahum’s name means, “consolation”• He writes to Nineveh, capitol of Assyria• He foretells the fall of Nineveh• Since it is believed that Nineveh fell in

612 BC, the book must be dated prior to that time• Obviously, Nahum’s name rings true to

God’s people at the destruction of such a wicked empire

A Five-fold Description of God

Nahum 1:2-3• God is jealous – Exodus 20:5; 34:14;

Deuteronomy 4:24; 5:9; Joshua 24:19–God will not transfer honor that is due to

him to another – Isaiah 42:8; 48:11

• God avenges and is furious – Deuteronomy 6:15 He will cause wrong doers to pay for their deeds

• God will take vengeance on his adversaries – Deuteronomy 32:35• God is slow to anger and great in power

– Exodus 34:6-7; Numbers 14:18; 2 Peter 3:9-10• God has his way in the whirlwind and in

the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet

God’s Actions• Nahum 1:8 – A flood will wash away Assyria and

their memory be darkened

• God will keep his promise and there will be no need for a 2nd destruction – Nahum 1:9; Isaiah 10:24-27– Assyria was like a twisted thornhedge thought to be

impregnable, but God would burn them like dry grass, Nahum 1:10

• God will loose the yoke of bondage – Nahum 1:13– God had already sent a messenger to bear the tidings

of Nineveh’s destruction, Nahum 1:14-15

Nahum 2 & 3

• These chapters describe the frenzied and futile preparations for defense–God asks where the place is that the

lion (Assyria’s national symbol) dwelt without fear – Nahum 2:11-12– There is no safety for her because God

is against her – Nahum 2:13; 3:5

• The book ends with an epitaph for Nineveh – Nahum 3:18-19