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PEOPLE OF THE BIBLE
OLD TESTAMENT PROPHETS OF GOD--NAHUM
NAHUM 1-3
INTRODUCTION
Just before the time Jeremiah and Zephaniah pronounced judgment against Judah, another prophet, Nahum, was directing his attention at one of her enemies–namely Assyria whose capital was Ninevah.
I. THE BACKGROUND OF THE PROPHET NAHUM.
Nothing is known of this Minor Prophet outside of what we find in the opening of his book.
A. The Name Nahum Means "Consolation" Or “Comfort.”
His name was very appropriate with his ministry because the message of his prophecy was intended to comfort the oppressed and afflicted people of Judah.
B. Nahum Is Called An Elkohshite. (1:1)
Meaning that he was born in Elkosh, which is believed by some to have been a small village of Palestine located in Galilee.
Some think that it is the same as Capernaum (which means "village of Nahum").
Still others believe it was in southern Judah, but no conclusive evidence exists.
C. Nahum’s Prophecies Came Between The Times Of Isaiah And Zephaniah.
D. His Book Is Believed To Be Dated Between 663 And 612 B.C. (More Narrowly Between 663 And 654 B.C.)
The fall of No or Thebes is mentioned in 3:8 and that occurred in 663 B.C. and the predicted fall of Nineveh took place in 612 B.C. Thebes was restored in 654, so this prophecy was believed to have been before that time.
1. The northern kingdom of Israel was already in Assyrian captivity.
2. Assyria itself was still a the most powerful nation on earth, though it was in a state of decline.
They were proud in their self-sufficiency and military might.
They plundered, oppressed, and slaughtered their victims.
That is why Ninevah is called a “bloody city” (3:1).
3. The theme of his message is simple: "The Fall Of Nineveh"
a) This makes his work a complement to that of Jonah.
Nineveh had previously repented at the preaching of Jonah.
(150 years earlier) However, they had turned back to their evil ways.
Israel had been conquered by Assyria and carried into captivity.
Judah was now also suffering as she was being forced to pay tribute as insurance against invasions by Assyria.
b) This time no mercy would be shown to Nineveh and God’s judgment would be final.
By final I mean that she would be totally destroyed.
The Assyrians would be judged for their arrogance, idolatry, murder, lies, treachery and their oppression.
The book of Nahum can easily be divided into three sections which coincide with the three chapters.
I. NINEVEH'S DOOM IS DECLARED. (NAHUM 1)
A. We See The Character And Power Of The LORD Declared.
1. We see God's vengeance, even though He is slow to anger. (1:1-3a)
Often people avoid God because they see evildoers in the world and hypocrites in the Church.
They don’t realize that because God is slow to anger, he gives his true followers time to share his love and truth with evildoers.
But judgment will come! God will not allow sin to go unchecked forever!
Ecclesiastes 8:11-13–“Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. 12 Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him: 13 But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God.”
When people wonder why God doesn’t punish evil immediately, we need to remind them that if He did, none of us would be here.
2. We see the fierceness of His anger described. (1:3b-6)
No person on earth can safely defy God who controls the whole universe.
3. We also see the goodness of the Lord, as a stronghold to the faithful. (1:7)
4. We see that the LORD is a pursuer of His enemies. (1:8)
To those who refuse to believe, God’s punishment is like an angry fire or flood.
To those who love Him, He is a stronghold in the day of trouble.
The relationship we have with Him is up to us.
B. We See The Coming Complete Overthrow Of Nineveh Declared.
1. She will not afflict again, despite her plotting against the Lord. (1:9-11)
The “wicked counsellor” who plots against the Lord could have been
Ashurbanipal (669-627 B.C.) who was king of Assyria during much of Nahum’s life and the one who brought Assyria to the height of its power.
Or it could have been Sennacherib (705 - 681 B.C.) who openly defied God (2 Kings 18:13-35).
Or it could have been referring to the entire evil monarchy of Assyria.
2. Judah would be delivered from Nineveh's affliction. (1:12-13)
The good news for Judah who had been terrorized by Assyria was that it s conquerors and tormentors would be destroyed and would never rise to torment it again.
Nineveh was so completely wiped out that its ruins were not identified until the year 1845.
3. Nineveh's destruction had been commanded by the Lord. (1:14)
4. There would be good tidings in Judah–she would once again be able to keep her feasts. (1:15)
NINEVEH’S DOOM IS DECLARED.
II. NINEVEH'S DOOM IS DESCRIBED. (NAHUM 2)
Chapter 2 predicts the events of 612 B.C. when the combined armies of the Babylonians and the Medes sacked Nineveh, which was thought to be impregnable.
A. The Siege And Capture Of The City.
1. Furious preparation for the battle is described. (2:1-4)
2. Resistance is futile, captivity has been decreed. (2:5-7)
. Note verse 6: "The gates of the rivers shall be opened, and the palace shall be dissolved"
The Babylonian records tell that Nineveh fell because the flooding rivers made breaches in the city's defenses.
Huzab is believed to be a reference to the queen of Nineveh.
B. The Utter Sack Of the City.
1. Her inhabitants would flee, the city would be plundered. (2:8-10)
2. Her destruction would be complete. (2:11-13)
Nineveh, which was described as a dwelling of devouring lions, will be no more.
III. NINEVEH'S DOOM IS DESERVED. (NAHUM 3)
A. Because Of Her Sins.
1. Her woe would be due to her sins. (3:1-4)
Ninevah used her beuty, prestige, and power to seduce other nations.
Like a prostitute, she enticed them into false friendships.
Then when the other nations relaxed, thinking Assyria was a friend, she would destroy and plunder them.
Though she was beautiful and impressive on the outside, she was vicious and deceitful on the inside.
2. The Lord would uncover her shame and make her a spectacle. (3:5-7)
B. Nineveh Was No Better Than The City Of No. (3:8-10)
This is speaking of the city No-Amon also known as Thebes in Egypt.
The city of No, despite her strength, was carried away into captivity.
It would be the same with Nineveh. (3:11)
C. Nineveh’s Strength And Wealth Could Not Save Her.
1. Her strongholds would fail. (3:12-13)
2. All her efforts, her wealth, and her army, would be futile. (3:14-17)
D. Nineveh Would Come To An Utter End.
1. Her leaders would be killed and her people scattered. (3:18-19a)
2. Those who hear of her fall would rejoice. (3:19b)
CONCLUSION
1. The message of Nahum for the people of God was one of consolation.
a. Those who afflict God's people will be judged. (1:2-3 )
Luke 18:7-8–“And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? 8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?”
b. God is a stronghold in time of trouble. (1:7)
Psalms 27:5–“For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.”
Are you trusting in God as your Stronghold?
The message of Nahum for the people of God was one of consolation.
2. The message of Nahum for those who do evil is one of warning.
a. Those who do evil can't rely on what mercy was shown to their ancestors (e.g., as in the days of Jonah). They can’t trust in what their parents or ancestors may have done, to escape the judgment of God?
b. The Lord may be merciful and slow to anger, but the day of judgment does finally come!
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NOTICE: THESE SERMONS ARE FREE TO BE USED BUT ARE NOT TO BE SOLD!