Nahum “Consolation”

Introduction Although a contemporary of Zephaniah, Habakkuk, and Jeremiah –Nahum is not addressed primarily to Judah, but to Assyria (and its capital, Nineveh) Recall that Jonah had prophesied to Nineveh –At that time (ca. 790 BC), the entire nation repented and was spared by God In Zephaniah, God told Judah that Nineveh would be reduced to a ruin Now God sends another warning of doom to Nineveh

Nahum: Background Date: Around 630 BC Political: Assyria is the world power, but has shown signs of cracking Israel: the northern kingdom has been captive for almost 100 years Judah: Survived and attack almost 100 years before, and is stuck between Assyria and its only outside threat, Egypt Nahum, the man: Almost nothing known, except from Elkosh (Nah 1:1)

Knowing God The major teaching to be found in Nahum is in Nahum 1:2-9 –These verses teach us about God: His character and His power –The rest of the book will make up the application of those verses to Nineveh

Knowing God Nah 1:2-3a –God is jealous He won’t allow His glory or honor to be given to another He won’t allow His people to follow another Even though God had spared them once, they should not have returned to their pagan ways –God avenges Wickedness will ALWAYS be punished *Major Theme of Nahum: Even though God is slow to anger; don’t mistake patience for an unwillingness to punish.

Knowing God Nah 1:3b-6 –The power of God He controls all aspects of nature He is the Creator and outside the laws of nature Who, therefore, can stand against God? –The same could be said for any modern nations »We are still unable to stop nature (hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, earthquakes, landslides, etc)

Knowing God Nah 1:7-8 –God is good and reliable He can and will protect His people But His people are only those who trust and obey –God is all-powerful Enemies will be swept away as in a flood Plotting against God (or His people) is a waste of time and an effort in futility Now that we know God’s character and power, we now get to see it applied to Nineveh

Nineveh’s doom declared Nineveh isn’t named until Nah 2:8, but is clearly the enemy under consideration Nah 1:9-11 –Whatever plans you have against God (or His people), they are useless –Whoever is getting you to think you can act against God, is a wicked counselor Lesson: The same is true today of any who tell you it’s okay to sin. –They do not have your best interest at heart.

Nineveh’s doom declared Nah 1:12-15 –God will save Nineveh from being further oppressed by her wicked counselor(s) –He will break their bonds (ironic since Nineveh held many other nations as captive slaves) Once He breaks them free, He won’t have to do so again –He will be burying them, like something vile –So Judah, take note and obey God Also be consoled (Nahum’s name “consolation”, Assyria won’t be coming back

Nineveh’s future Nah 2:1-6 –God warns them to prepare their defenses When Nineveh falls, they’ll have plenty of warning, time to man the walls, and have large numbers of soldiers at hand –God even tells them how Nineveh would fall Nineveh used water from the Euphrates to form a moat around the entire city (12+ miles) The river suddenly flooded (gates opened v6) and destroyed most Assyrian defenses. The king then burned the palace down (palace dissolved v6) with himself and family inside.

Nineveh’s future Nah 2:7-13 –It is certain! Nothing would change the outcome –Assyrians would become captives themselves –Their soldiers, princes, etc (lions) would be slaughtered Just as they used to delight in slaughtering –Why? Because they had made an enemy of God God is jealous and avenging (Nah 1:2) More explanation in Nahum 3 –Nineveh will fall and arise no more

Why Nineveh is doomed Nah 3:1-4, The sins of Nineveh –Violence against other nations As well as lies and robbery Assyria maintained world power by conquest –Would lie and steal and slaughter as needed –Harlotries Seduced many nations into alliances and vassalage with false promises

Why Nineveh is doomed Nah 3:5-7 –God is against Assyria –He wants to make sure other nations know that God will not tolerate the sins of Assyria So other nations will run away from behavior like Assyria’s.

Nineveh’s doom Nah 3:11-19 –So go ahead and make preparations for siege –But realize you are doomed and will fall whenever God chooses to “shake the tree” –Your soldiers, merchants, princes, generals will all flee – they can’t save you –When you fall, you will not recover God allowed Egypt to recover, but not Assyria –And no one will care when Nineveh falls Everyone will clap, because everyone had suffered

Conclusion God is protective for those who obey Him But those who act against Him, He will destroy We should take note and obey No one is too great or powerful for God to destroy –And one day all will stand before God and be judged (Heb 9:27) –It is certain, and cannot be changed Will you be ready?