The Book of Nahumsurvey of the Bible

General Overview

the book of Nahum focuses exclusively on the sins and judgment against Assyria/Nineveh written about 150 years after Jonah’s

prophecies (780-630 B.C.) and about 20 years before the final destruction of Nineveh (612 B.C.)

no mention of Judah’s sins, only of Assyria▪ the few mentions of Judah are for them to look to

and remember the deliverance of the Lord very focused in its violent picture of their fall

Themes of Nahum

God’s sovereignty over the Gentile nations though they worshipped other gods, they would

answer to Him, His power and justice (1:1-6, 14)▪ own past showed God would have shown mercy (1:7-8)

God’s wrath cannot be withheld (2:8-13; 3:18-19)

joy and faith of God’s people (1:7-8, 15, 2:1-2) not because souls were lost, but because God is

glorified and His people blessed when God’s righteous vengeance is exercised (2 Thess. 1:3-10)

Importance to Christians

praying for our nation (1 Tim. 2:1-4) though not a direct spiritual application, knowing

that God exercises providence and judgment on nations should cause us pause and reflection

receiving God’s mercy at one point does not guarantee the promise of mercy in the future we will be judged according to current state, not

our past faithfulness, current reputation, or future potential (2 Pet. 2:20-22)(Rev. 2:4-5, 3:1, 16-17)

Conclusion

the prophecy of Nahum represents just one instance of the terror of the Lord expressed not acknowledging this side of God’s

nature, our understanding is incomplete (2 Cor. 5:10-11)

our choices: drawing back to perdition or living by faith in hope of salvation(Heb. 10:30-31, 35-39)