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Nahum

Nahum. “Consolation”. Introduction. Although a contemporary of Zephaniah, Habakkuk, and Jeremiah Nahum is not addressed primarily to Judah, but to Assyria (and its capital, Nineveh) Recall that Jonah had prophesied to Nineveh

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Nahum

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  1. Nahum “Consolation”

  2. Introduction • Although a contemporary of Zephaniah, Habakkuk, and Jeremiah • Nahum is not addressed primarily to Judah, but to Assyria (and its capital, Nineveh) • Recall that Jonah had prophesied to Nineveh • At that time (ca. 790 BC), the entire nation repented and was spared by God • In Zephaniah, God told Judah that Nineveh would be reduced to a ruin • Now God sends another warning of doom to Nineveh

  3. Nahum: Background • Date: Around 630 BC • Political: Assyria is the world power, but has shown signs of cracking • Israel: the northern kingdom has been captive for almost 100 years • Judah: Survived and attack almost 100 years before, and is stuck between Assyria and its only outside threat, Egypt • Nahum, the man: Almost nothing known, except from Elkosh (Nah 1:1)

  4. Knowing God • The major teaching to be found in Nahum is in Nahum 1:2-9 • These verses teach us about God: His character and His power • The rest of the book will make up the application of those verses to Nineveh

  5. Knowing God • Nah 1:2-3a • God is jealous • He won’t allow His glory or honor to be given to another • He won’t allow His people to follow another • Even though God had spared them once, they should not have returned to their pagan ways • God avenges • Wickedness will ALWAYS be punished • *Major Theme of Nahum: Even though God is slow to anger; don’t mistake patience for an unwillingness to punish.

  6. Knowing God • Nah 1:3b-6 • The power of God • He controls all aspects of nature • He is the Creator and outside the laws of nature • Who, therefore, can stand against God? • The same could be said for any modern nations • We are still unable to stop nature (hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, earthquakes, landslides, etc)

  7. Knowing God • Nah 1:7-8 • God is good and reliable • He can and will protect His people • But His people are only those who trust and obey • God is all-powerful • Enemies will be swept away as in a flood • Plotting against God (or His people) is a waste of time and an effort in futility • Now that we know God’s character and power, we now get to see it applied to Nineveh

  8. Nineveh’s doom declared • Nineveh isn’t named until Nah 2:8, but is clearly the enemy under consideration • Nah 1:9-11 • Whatever plans you have against God (or His people), they are useless • Whoever is getting you to think you can act against God, is a wicked counselor • Lesson: The same is true today of any who tell you it’s okay to sin. • They do not have your best interest at heart.

  9. Nineveh’s doom declared • Nah 1:12-15 • God will save Nineveh from being further oppressed by her wicked counselor(s) • He will break their bonds (ironic since Nineveh held many other nations as captive slaves) • Once He breaks them free, He won’t have to do so again • He will be burying them, like something vile • So Judah, take note and obey God • Also be consoled (Nahum’s name “consolation”, Assyria won’t be coming back

  10. Nineveh’s future • Nah 2:1-6 • God warns them to prepare their defenses • When Nineveh falls, they’ll have plenty of warning, time to man the walls, and have large numbers of soldiers at hand • God even tells them how Nineveh would fall • Nineveh used water from the Euphrates to form a moat around the entire city (12+ miles) • The river suddenly flooded (gates opened v6) and destroyed most Assyrian defenses. • The king then burned the palace down (palace dissolved v6) with himself and family inside.

  11. Nineveh’s future • Nah 2:7-13 • It is certain! Nothing would change the outcome • Assyrians would become captives themselves • Their soldiers, princes, etc (lions) would be slaughtered • Just as they used to delight in slaughtering • Why? • Because they had made an enemy of God • God is jealous and avenging (Nah 1:2) • More explanation in Nahum 3 • Nineveh will fall and arise no more

  12. Why Nineveh is doomed • Nah 3:1-4, The sins of Nineveh • Violence against other nations • As well as lies and robbery • Assyria maintained world power by conquest • Would lie and steal and slaughter as needed • Harlotries • Seduced many nations into alliances and vassalage with false promises

  13. Why Nineveh is doomed • Nah 3:5-7 • God is against Assyria • He wants to make sure other nations know that God will not tolerate the sins of Assyria • So other nations will run away from behavior like Assyria’s.

  14. Nineveh’s doom • Nah 3:11-19 • So go ahead and make preparations for siege • But realize you are doomed and will fall whenever God chooses to “shake the tree” • Your soldiers, merchants, princes, generals will all flee – they can’t save you • When you fall, you will not recover • God allowed Egypt to recover, but not Assyria • And no one will care when Nineveh falls • Everyone will clap, because everyone had suffered

  15. Conclusion • God is protective for those who obey Him • But those who act against Him, He will destroy • We should take note and obey • No one is too great or powerful for God to destroy • And one day all will stand before God and be judged (Heb 9:27) • It is certain, and cannot be changed • Will you be ready?

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