Nahum 1–3
We don’t know much about the prophet Nahum other than the fact that he prophesied against Nineveh, the capital city of Assyria. He was from the city of Elkosh. Since there were several cities with that name, we’re not sure as to which one it was, but it is quite possible, he was from the Elkosh located IN Assyria, meaning that Nahum had been carried away captive from Israel. Another theory is that Nahum was from the area of Capernaum in Galilee, for Capernaum means, “city of Nahum.”
150 years earlier Jonah was sent to Nineveh, and the city repented at his preaching. But that moral “revival” didn’t last long – the Assyrians were a cruel and vicious people. They would maim those they carried away captive. They would impale the leaders, behead the people and lay those heads in mounds in front of the city gates. The Assyrians had carried Israel away captive in 722 B.C., and it was now time for them to pay for their cruelties.
Nahum 1:2 (NKJV) “God is jealous, and the LORD avenges; the LORD avenges and is furious. The LORD will take vengeance on His adversaries, and He reserves wrath for His enemies.”
God is not only gentle, He is just. The Lord has His way in the whirlwind, He rebukes the sea, the mountains melt, and the earth burns, what nation can stand before His indignation? Who can endure the fierceness of His anger, Nahum asks (Nahum 1:6).
Nahum presents to us the Biblical balance of our glorious God:
Nahum 1:7–8 (NKJV) “The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him. 8 But with an overflowing flood He will make an utter end of its place, and darkness will pursue His enemies.”
For those who trust the LORD, He is working everything out for good (Romans 8:28) (that would be Israel) and prayerfully that’s us! Trust Him my friend, trust Him in the day of trouble, He will make it a day of Triumph!
But to His enemies, those who refuse to yield to God and His grace – justice will be served and rather than having Him as Savior, they will face Him as Judge. This was the case with Nineveh and the entire nation of Assyria.
Not only would God judge Assyria, He would restore Jacob (Nahum 1:15; 2:2).
Nahum 2:2 (NLT) “Even though the destroyer has destroyed Judah, the LORD will restore its honor. Israel’s vine has been stripped of branches, but he will restore its splendor.”
The Babylonians would conquer Ninevah to such an extent that many critics of the Bible questioned the very existence of this city. It wasn’t until ruins were uncovered by British Archaeologist Sir Austen Henry Layard, that its existence was confirmed outside the Bible. It WAS at one time a great city, but it suffered great judgment!
Her valiant men would die, her nobles would be no more, the palace dissolved, it was now her turn to be led away captive. All her treasures would be taken, hearts would melt, knees would shake in immeasurable fear – the pain would pierce on every side.
I don’t understand why anyone would fight God, for who can win if God is against them, if God is their enemy? The Assyrians actually plotted evil against the LORD (Nahum 1:11) and therefore invited Him to be their enemy!
Nahum 2:13 (NLT) “I am your enemy!” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. “Your chariots will soon go up in smoke. Your young men will be killed in battle. Never again will you plunder conquered nations. The voices of your proud messengers will be heard no more.”
The city would be filled with blood (Nahum 3:1) the noise of whips, galloping horses, clattering chariots – so many dead bodies they would stumble over the corpses. A complete collapse of Assyria who at one time was so dominant and powerful, that they actually sold families and nations (Nahum 3:4).
Every world power is deceived into thinking they’re different, that they’ll never be overthrown, but just like every other world power before her, Assyria’s day would come. The description of her judgment at the hands of the Babylonians is heartbreaking, but it resembles the very things Assyria would do whenever they conquered cities and nations. Children dashed to pieces, women’s skirts lifted and ravished, men killed, sold, and so fearful that it was as if there were only women left (Nahum 3:13).
In the end, this once brave and powerful nation was reduced to the status of grasshoppers who hopped away in hiding, not to be found. It was a fatal blow, and all the people who had been tortured by the Assyrians rejoiced at their judgment.
Nahum 3:19 (NLT) “There is no healing for your wound; your injury is fatal. All who hear of your destruction will clap their hands for joy. Where can anyone be found who has not suffered from your continual cruelty?”