Nahum

Background of Nineveh “An oracle concerning Nineveh. Because of their wickedness, God sent Jonah to preach to Nineveh saying, ‘Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.’” They heard, repented, and were spared. Neither the time of Jonah’s preaching nor the time of the repentant king of Nineveh’s reign, are known. Some believe it was shortly before Isaiah.

Nineveh was the home of King Sennacherib, King of Assyria, during the reign of King Hezekiah and the lifetime of the Judean prophet Isaiah.

In the fourteenth year of King Hezekiah, Sennacherib king of Assyria came up against all the fortified cities of Judah and took them. (2 Kings 18:13)

Nahum Oracle “The Lord is a jealous and avenging God; the Lord takes vengeance and is filled with wrath, but slow to anger and great in power. He will not leave the guilty unpunished. The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him.” (Nahum 1:2-3, 7)

“You, O Nineveh, will have no descendants to bear your name. I will destroy the carved images and cast idols that are in the temple of your gods. I will prepare your grave, for you are vile.” (Nahum 1:14)

“All who see you will flee from you and say, ‘Nineveh is in ruins, — who will mourn for her?’ Where can I find anyone to comfort you?” (Nahum 3:7)

“All your fortresses are like fig trees with their first ripe fruit; when they are shaken, the figs fall into the mouth of the eater. Look at your troops — they are all women! The gates of your land are wide open to your enemies.” (Nahum 3:12-13)

“Your shepherds slumber; your nobles lie down to rest. Your people are scattered on the mountains with no one to gather them. Nothing can heal your wound; your injury is fatal.” (Nahum 3:18-19)

“…Everyone who hears the news about you claps his hands at your fall and rejoice…” (Nahum 3:19)

Nineveh appears to have been destroyed over 100 years later. “In 612 BCE the city of Nineveh was sacked and burned by the allied forces of the Persians, Medes, Babylonians.”

Key Points from Nahum ➢ The Lord is an avenging God. ➢ The Lord is slow to anger but with great in power. ➢ He will not leave the guilty unpunished. ➢ He is a refuge in troublesome times, taking care of those who trust in Him.