1. Nahum

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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 2 nd 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

6. 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