Nahum Jonah – c. 790-780 B.C. - “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” (Jonah 3:4b) Nahum – c. 663-612 B.C. - “Behold, I am against you,” says the Lord of hosts. (Nahum 2:13a; 3:5a)

Nahum Theme and Application The fall and destruction of Nineveh General Application: God will hold nations accountable for their wickedness *Nah. 1: 9, 12, 14; 2: 2, 7, 13; 3: 5-6

Nahum “The Burden Against Nineveh.” (Nah. 1:1a) Assyrian History of Violence and Cruelty - Ruling power for 700 years - Cruelty recorded in kings’ inscriptions - “space failed” for corpses - choked rivers with dead bones - impaled “heaps of men” on stakes

Nahum 1:2-7 God’s Justice and Power v.2 The wicked will be punished. v.3a Don’t mistake God’s patience for inability v.3b-5 Unlimited Extent of God’s power v.6 No one is capable of standing against God v.7 God is a stronghold to the good

Nahum 1:7-15 The Decree Against Nineveh v.8-11 Assyria’s time of arrogance, evil plotting and dominance are resolutely over v.12-13 Judah will be free from Assyrian persecution v.14 Nineveh to be buried and forgotten v.15 Judah can rejoice, resume normalcy of life

Nahum 2:1-7 Nineveh’s Destruction v.1-3 Nineveh and her attackers prepare for battle v.4-5 The attack and Nineveh’s futile defense v.6-7 Nineveh’s defeat and capture

Nahum 2:8-13 Aftermath of Defeat v.8-10a Nineveh, previously a gathering place and hub of commerce, is abandoned and plundered. v.10 The despair of the city v.11-12 Comparison to an earlier time in Nineveh v.13 Despair/Destruction at God’s decree

Nahum 3:1-7 Nineveh’s Just Punishment v.1,4 A sinful, wicked city v.1a,2-3 “Woe to the bloody city!” Depiction of war and death in the city v.5-6 God will reveal the shame, filth, wickedness of the city v.7 No one will mourn Nineveh: a testament to her wickedness!

Nahum 3:8-13 Suffer the Fate of No Amon v.8-9 No Amon (Thebes) was well fortified, had many allies v.10 No Amon destroyed and plundered in 663 B.C. by Ashurbanipal, ruler of Assyria, in cruel and brutal fashion v.11-13 Nineveh’s resistance will be likewise ineffective. She is “ripe” for the picking

Nahum 3:14-19 Nineveh's Fall Inevitable/Final v.14-15 The city’s defenses will fail v.16-17 The city’s financial and military assets will fail v.18 Nineveh’s leaders will perish, her people will scatter v.19a There will be no recovery v.19b Widespread rejoicing at Nineveh’s fall

Nahum Theme and Application The fall and destruction of Nineveh General Application: God will hold nations accountable for their wickedness *Nah. 1: 9, 12, 14; 2: 2, 7, 13; 3: 5-6