articlesforchristians

Author

• Nahum
• Nahum means “Comfort, Full of Comfort, Consolation”

Date

• 612 B.C.
• During the reigns of Manasseh, Amon, and Josiah (Kings of Judah)
• Other prophets at this time: Zephaniah, Habakkuk, and Jeremiah
• Approximately 120 years after Jonah’s ministry to Nineveh

Theme

• God’s judgment on the city of Nineveh, the capital of Assyria

Purpose

• This book reveals God’s judgment on the tyrant city of Nineveh the capital of Assyria.
• The Assyrians captured the Northern kingdom of Israel in 722 B.C.
• They threaten Judah, the southern kingdom, but God intervened.
• The Assyrians were know for their abuse and acts of torture inflicted on their captives. At this time the Assyrians were known as the world’s greatest oppressor.
• This book was also a message of comfort and hope for God’s people of the southern kingdom of Judah.

Content

• The vengeance of the Lord Nahum 1:1-15
  • Nahum 1:2,3(NKJV) God is jealous, and the LORD avenges: The LORD avenges and is furious.
    The LORD will take vengeance on His adversaries, And He reserves wrath for His
    enemies; The LORD is slow to anger and great in power, And will not at all acquit the wicked. The LORD has His way In the whirlwind and in the storm, And the clouds are the dust of His feet.
• The fall of Nineveh and Restoration of Jacob: Nahum 2:1-13
  • Nahum 2:8-10(NKJV) Though Nineveh of old was like a pool of water, Now they flee away. “Halt! Halt!” they cry; But no one turns back. Take spoil of silver! Take spoil of gold! There is no end of treasure, Or wealth of every desirable prize. She is empty, desolate, and waste! The heart melts, and the knees shake; Much pain is in every side, And all their faces are drained of color.
  • Nahum 2:2(NKJV) For the LORD will restore the excellence of Jacob Like the excellence of Israel, For the emptiers have emptied them out And ruined their vine branches.
• The despair of Nineveh: Nahum 3:1-19
  • Nahum 3:7(NKJV)It shall come to pass that all who look upon you Will flee from you, and say, “Nineveh is laid waste! Who will bemoan her? Where shall I seek comforters for you?”
  • This prophecy came to pass about 50 years after it was written.
    

Christ in the Book of Nahum

• Type of Christ on the cross
  • God’s vengeance against sin was satisfied through the sacrifice of the Lamb of God, His son Jesus.
    • Romans 12:19(NKJV) Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.