Book of Nahum. Year Written: The Book of Nahum was likely written between 633 and 612 B.C.

Transcription

1 Book of Nahum World Christian Fellowship 60, High Worple, Rayners Lane, Harrow Middlesex, HA2 9SZ, United Kingdom Tel: Name meaning: Nahum is the author of this prophesies and name means comfort or consolation and is a short form of Nehemiah ( comfort of Yahweh ). Nahum is from the town Elkoshite. (Nahum 1:1) Year Written: The Book of Nahum was likely written between 633 and 612 B.C. Two events are mentioned by the Prophet Nahum help us to determine these dates. 1. Nahum mentions Thebes (No Amon) in Egypt falling to the Assyrians (663 B.C.) in the past tense, so it had already happened. 2. The remainder of Nahum's prophecies came true in 612 B.C. Nahum s mention of the fall of No Amon, also called Thebes (3:8 10), in 663 B.C. (at the hands of Ashurbanipal) appears to be fresh in their minds and there is no mention of the rekindling that occurred ten years later, suggesting a mid-seventh century B.C. date during the reign of Manasseh ( B.C.; 2 Kings 21:1 18). 1

2 Nahum preached during the reign of King Manasseh, one of the most evil kings in Judah. Manasseh, who needed the pain of his own experience to teach him the lessons of how to be a good king. Nahum preached during the darkest period in Judah s history to that point, a time filled with idolatry of all kinds in a nation that had completely turned its back on God. Historical background: God sent Jonah to preach the great city of Nineveh and the people of Nineveh repented from their idolatry, violence and arrogance. Assyria was the world power at this time and they have extended their borders up to Egypt by this the neighbouring countries such as Palestine and Syria very weak. Esarhaddon had recently transplanted conquered peoples into Samaria and Galilee in 670 B.C. (2 Kings 17:24; Ezra 4:2) 2

3 During this time God brought Nineveh down under, rising the power of Babylon s king Nabopolassar and his son, Nebuchadnezzar (612 B.C.). Assyria s demise turned out just as God had prophesied. Nahum is not quoted in the NT, although there may be an allusion to Nahum 1:15 in Rom. 10:15 (cf. Is. 52:7). Purpose: Nahum reminded the people of Judah that God s justice is always right and always sure. Should He choose to grant mercy for a time, that good gift will not compromise the Lord s ultimate sense of justice for all in the end. About 150 years earlier God sent Jonah to Nineveh and now God speaks through Nahum the outcome of the judgement on their behaviour. Jonah narrates the remission of God s promised judgment toward Nineveh, while Nahum describes the later execution of God s judgment. The people of Nineveh were proud of their invulnerable city since the had fortified their city with walls reaching 100 feet high and with a trench 150 feet wide and 60 feet deep. 3

4 4

5 Nahum established the fact that the sovereign God (1:2 5) would bring vengeance upon those who violated His law (1:8,14; 3:5 7). The same God had a punishing judgment against evil which is also redemptive, granting His loving kindnesses upon the faithful (1:7,12,13,15; 2:2). The prophecy brought comfort to Judah and all who feared the cruel Assyrians. Nahum said Nineveh would end with an overflowing flood (1:8); and it happened when the Tigris River overflowed to destroy enough of the walls to let the Babylonians through. Nahum also predicted that the city would be hidden (3:11). After its destruction in 612 B.C., the site was not rediscovered until 1842 A.D. Jonah had already uttered his message of warning, and Nahum was followed by Zephaniah, who also predicted (Zephaniah 2:4-15) the destruction of the city, predictions which were remarkably fulfilled. Brief Outline of the book: Destruction of Nineveh Declared (1:2 15) God s Power Illustrated (1:2 8) God s Punishment Stated (1:9 15) Destruction of Nineveh Detailed (2:1 13) The City is Assaulted (2:1 10) The City is Discredited (2:11 13) 5

6 Destruction of Nineveh Demanded (3:1 19) The First Charge (3:1 3) The Second Charge (3:4 7) The Third Charge (3:8 19) Prophecies of Nahum Ninevites would be drunk in their final hours - Nahum 1:10 Ninevites would be wiped out - Nahum 1:14 Nineveh would be destroyed by fire - Nahum 3:15 The army officers would desert - Nahum 3:17 Nineveh would be permanently destroyed - Nahum 3:19 Comparison of Jonah and Nahum who prophesied to Nineveh Jonah Nahum Mercy of God Judgement of God ~800 BC ~650BC Emphasis on the Prophet Emphasis on the Prophecy Disobedient Prophet Obedient Prophet Obedient Nation Disobedient Nation Deliverance from Water Destruction from Water Repentance of Nineveh Rebellion of Nineveh 6

7 Conclusion: Paul repeats Nahum 1:15 in Romans 10:15 in regard to the Messiah and His ministry, as well as the apostles of Christ in His time. It may also be understood of any minister of the Gospel whose business it is to "preach the Gospel of peace." God has made peace with sinners by the blood of Christ, and has given to His people the peace that transcends all understanding (Philippians 4:7). The preacher s work is that to bring, bring glad tidings of good things, reconciliation, righteousness, pardon, life, and Eternal salvation by a crucified Christ. The preaching of such a Gospel, and bringing such news, make their feet beautiful. The imagery here is of one who runs to others, eager and joyful to proclaim the Good News. 7

8 Application for today: 1. God is patient and slow to anger. He gives every country time to proclaim Him as their Lord. But He is not mocked. Any time a country turns away from Him to serve its own motives, He steps in with judgment. Now look at the status of many nations including our nation United Kingdom. The country was formed as a nation guided by principles found in the Bible. In the last 50 years that has changed, and we are turning daily in the opposite direction. As Christians it is our duty to stand up for biblical principles and scriptural truth, for Truth is our country s only hope. 8

9 2. No doubt we all have felt overwhelmed by the darkness both within ourselves and in our world. Nahum lived in a dark time, a time in which the faithful few must have wondered how long they would have to resist cultural and spiritual compromise. 3. Nineveh heard from the Lord through Prophet Jonah and they repented. But then their repentance did not last long. In another 100 years they have become wicked and complacent. How are you doing in this? Is your repentance is on-going one? 9