1. God’s Other Side Nahum 1:2,7

2. Background Jonah (775 B.C.) – warned Nineveh and it destroyed; repented and God responded.Jonah (775 B.C.) – warned Nineveh and it destroyed; repented and God responded. Nahum (663-612 B.C.) – delivers message against Nineveh (c. 660); who had repented of their repentance!Nahum (663-612 B.C.) – delivers message against Nineveh (c. 660); who had repented of their repentance! Jeremiah – in Jerusalem (627-580)Jeremiah – in Jerusalem (627-580) Nineveh fell to Babylonians – 612 B.C.Nineveh fell to Babylonians – 612 B.C.

3. Nineveh a Great City “Nineveh became the mightiest city on earth with walls 100 ft. high and wide enough to accommodate three chariots riding abreast. Dotted around the walls were huge towers that stretched an additional 100 ft. above the top of the walls. In addition, the walls were surrounded by a moat 150 ft. wide and 60 ft. deep. Nineveh appeared impregnable… Thus, Nahum’s prophecy of Nineveh’s overthrow seemed unlikely indeed.”“Nineveh became the mightiest city on earth with walls 100 ft. high and wide enough to accommodate three chariots riding abreast. Dotted around the walls were huge towers that stretched an additional 100 ft. above the top of the walls. In addition, the walls were surrounded by a moat 150 ft. wide and 60 ft. deep. Nineveh appeared impregnable… Thus, Nahum’s prophecy of Nineveh’s overthrow seemed unlikely indeed.”

4. Assyrian Empire “Judged from the vaunting inscriptions of her kings, no power more useless, more savage, more terrible, ever cast it gigantic shadow on the page of history as it passed on the way to ruin… They exult to record how ‘space failed for corpses,’ how they flung away the bodies of soldiers like so much clay; how they made pyramids of human heads…how they but off the heads of kings and nailed them on the walls, and left their bodies to rot with bears and dogs on the entrance gates of cities” (Hailey).“Judged from the vaunting inscriptions of her kings, no power more useless, more savage, more terrible, ever cast it gigantic shadow on the page of history as it passed on the way to ruin… They exult to record how ‘space failed for corpses,’ how they flung away the bodies of soldiers like so much clay; how they made pyramids of human heads…how they but off the heads of kings and nailed them on the walls, and left their bodies to rot with bears and dogs on the entrance gates of cities” (Hailey).

5. What God Thought Nineveh – standing on its own strengthNineveh – standing on its own strength Nahum – standing on God’s strengthNahum – standing on God’s strength God – “I am against you…” (2:13; 3:5)God – “I am against you…” (2:13; 3:5) They should have remembered history (2 Kgs. 18:9; 19:20,32-37)They should have remembered history (2 Kgs. 18:9; 19:20,32-37)

6. The Nature Of God He is jealous (1:1,2)He is jealous (1:1,2) Deep emotion arises from deep love for His people.Deep emotion arises from deep love for His people. “For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God” (Dt. 4:24; 6:14,15).“For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God” (Dt. 4:24; 6:14,15). Avenging – not getting even, but vindicating His own righteousness (Rom. 12:19).Avenging – not getting even, but vindicating His own righteousness (Rom. 12:19).

7. The Nature of God He is slow to anger (1:3-6)He is slow to anger (1:3-6) His patience has a limit – Assyria was no match for Him!His patience has a limit – Assyria was no match for Him! Nineveh’s destruction was decreed, described and deserved (1:9-15; 2:3-7).Nineveh’s destruction was decreed, described and deserved (1:9-15; 2:3-7). Don’t make God angry! (Heb. 3:11; 4:3; 10:31; Jn. 3:36)Don’t make God angry! (Heb. 3:11; 4:3; 10:31; Jn. 3:36)

8. The Nature of God He is good (1:7)He is good (1:7) Bumper sticker: “Jesus is coming again – and boy is He mad!”Bumper sticker: “Jesus is coming again – and boy is He mad!” If He were not angry at sin – would not be good; If not an avenger – would not be just; but He is GOOD.If He were not angry at sin – would not be good; If not an avenger – would not be just; but He is GOOD. Seen in His works (Gen. 1; Ps. 33:5), His word (Ps. 100:5) & power (Nahum 1:3-5).Seen in His works (Gen. 1; Ps. 33:5), His word (Ps. 100:5) & power (Nahum 1:3-5).

9. Without God, Man is Weak Nineveh was delivered when it repented, it fell when it thought it was strong.Nineveh was delivered when it repented, it fell when it thought it was strong. Likened to ripe figs and women (3:12,13)Likened to ripe figs and women (3:12,13) Their shepherds (leaders) and nobles could not stand before God (3:16-19)Their shepherds (leaders) and nobles could not stand before God (3:16-19)

10. Great Lessons God is a stronghold in the day of trouble (1:7).God is a stronghold in the day of trouble (1:7). There is an end to God’s patience.There is an end to God’s patience. The worthlessness of material power.The worthlessness of material power. Don’t make God angry! (Jn. 3:36)Don’t make God angry! (Jn. 3:36) How big is your problem?How big is your problem? How big is your God?How big is your God?