Nahum is a prophetic address to Nineveh, capital of Assyria. The city had temporarily averted destruction by repenting under the preaching of Jonah, but had since reverted to its former ways of extreme wickedness, brutality, and pride. Their destruction was certain and imminent.
God used the Babylonians, the Medes, and the Scythians to overthrow Nineveh and to carry out his sovereign judgment in 612 B.C., soon after Nahum's message had been delivered.
What does it say?
Nineveh, the capital city of the dreaded Assyrian empire, is the subject of Nahum's prophecy. Nahum announced the coming destruction of Nineveh, a mighty and feared enemy of Judah. Assyria had already carried off the northern kingdom of Israel and held Judah hostage through the payment of tribute, but Judah was now assured that the Assyrian threat to their southern kingdom was over.
Nahum's prophecy describes Nineveh's overthrow and Judah's joy. Though Nineveh had once stood as a great and glorious city, she would now come to nothing under the mighty hand of God.
Faces & Places
God's prophetic spokesmen behind this book is Nahum. Nahum, which means "comfort" or "consolation," is a shortened form of Nehemiah, meaning "Comfort of Yahweh." The prophecy was delivered to the people of Nineveh , the capital city of the Assyrian empire, as well as the people of Judah.
Key Verses & Themes
The Judgment of Nineveh:
Nahum 3:5-7 "'I am against you,' declares the Lord Almighty. 'I will lift your skirts over your face. I will show the nations your nakedness and the kingdoms your shame. I will pelt you with filth, I will treat you with contempt and make you a spectacle. 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 1:7-9 "The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him, but with an overwhelming flood he will make an end of Nineveh; he will pursue his foes into darkness. Whatever they plot against the Lord he will bring to an end; trouble will not come a second time."
The Restoration of Israel:
Nahum 2:2 "The Lord will restore the splendor of Jacob like the splendor of Israel, though the destroyers have laid them waste and have ruined their vines."
So what?
God brought down Edom, as prophesied in Obadiah, and God brought down the mighty Assyrians, as prophesied here in Nahum. Both were indicted for the sin of pride and arrogance. Anyone who remains arrogant and resists God's authority will face his anger. We read in 1 Peter 5:5 that "God opposes the proud and gives grace to the humble." Nahum stands as a testimony to the cost of pride.
Nahum is also a reminder that no power can stand against the power of God. The Assyrian army was among the most feared conquering machines ever known to mankind. Yet they stood no chance against the God of all the universe. God alone can rescue Judah and he can rescue you from any power, great or small. You can place your confidence in God, because he alone is the ruler of all history, all nations, all people, all everything.
