"NAHUM: NINEVEH AGAIN?"

Nahum 1:1–2 “An oracle concerning Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum of Elkosh. The Lord is a jealous and avenging God; the Lord is avenging and wrathful; the Lord takes vengeance on his adversaries and keeps wrath for his enemies.”

>>>(v.1) The proclamation against Nineveh is a description of the LORD.

*“Jealous”-He is jealous both of Israel chasing after other gods and Israel being threatened by other nations.

*“Avenging”-takes vengeance on people/nations (like Assyria conquering Israel)

*“Wrathful”-Literally meaning “possessor/ruler of wrath”

>>>(v.2) God takes vengeance on His enemies and comes to them in wrath.

>>>Nineveh is put in the place of being an enemy of God.

*Different than how He views them in Jonah.

Nahum 1:7–8 “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him. But with an overflowing flood he will make a complete end of the adversaries, and will pursue his enemies into darkness.”

>>>Two contrasting verses.

>>>(v.7) God is good and a stronghold (fortress) in time of trouble.

*He “knows” those who come to Him for refuge. “Know” is experiential knowledge.

>>>(v.8) He ends His adversaries and chases out His enemies.

>>>Those He knows-protection; those who are adversaries/enemies-destroys.

Nahum 1:12–13 “Thus says the Lord, “Though they are at full strength and many, they will be cut down and pass away. Though I have afflicted you, I will afflict you no more. And now I will break his yoke from off you and will burst your bonds apart.””

>>>It is now time for God to stand for His people and take them out of Nineveh’s oppression.

Nahum 1:14 “The Lord has given commandment about you: “No more shall your name be perpetuated; from the house of your gods I will cut off the carved image and the metal image. I will make your grave, for you are vile.””

Nahum 1:15 “Behold, upon the mountains, the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace! Keep your feasts, O Judah; fulfill your vows, for never again shall the worthless pass through you; he is utterly cut off.”

Nahum 2:1–2 “The scatterer has come up against you. Man the ramparts; watch the road; dress for battle; collect all your strength. For the Lord is restoring the majesty of Jacob as the majesty of Israel, for plunderers have plundered them and ruined their branches.”

Nahum 2:13 “Behold, I am against you, declares the Lord of hosts, and I will burn your chariots in smoke, and the sword shall devour your young lions. I will cut off your prey from the earth, and the voice of your messengers shall no longer be heard.”

Nahum 3:1–3 “Woe to the bloody city, all full of lies and plunder— no end to the prey! The crack of the whip, and rumble of the wheel, galloping horse and bounding chariot! Horsemen charging, flashing sword and glittering spear, hosts of slain, heaps of corpses, dead bodies without end— they stumble over the bodies!”

Nahum 3:6–7 “I will throw filth at you and treat you with contempt and make you a spectacle. And all who look at you will shrink from you and say, “Wasted is Nineveh; who will grieve for her?” Where shall I seek comforters for you?”

Nahum 3:11–13 “You also will be drunken; you will go into hiding; you will seek a refuge from the enemy. All your fortresses are like fig trees with first-ripe figs— if shaken they fall into the mouth of the eater. Behold, your troops are women in your midst. The gates of your land are wide open to your enemies; fire has devoured your bars.”

Nahum 3:19 “There is no easing your hurt; your wound is grievous. All who hear the news about you clap their hands over you. For upon whom has not come your unceasing evil?”