Nahum
Notes
Transcript
Dates:
Dates:
There is no information for Nahum, apart form the book. He was a native of Elkosh. However, there is no definitive answer as to the location of this city. Some place its location on Assyria, while others place it in Israel. The Assyrian argument is made because of Nahum’s familiarity of terms such as Huzzab (2:7) and with some traditions that point to Assyria. Yet, there is no precise location that can be determined, neither is it important.
The date must have been written after 663B.C. because it uses the term No-Aman that refers to Thebes and Thebes fell in 663, and before the fall of Nineveh in 606B.C. This dating id fairly unanimously agreed upon.
These dates would have made Nahum a likely contemporary of Isaiah (In his later ministry), Jeremiah, Amos, Zephaniah, Joel, Ezekiel, Daniel, and Habakkuk
Characteristics:
Characteristics:
During Nahum’s prophecy the Northern Kingdom had been destroyed and the remaining ten tribes had been dispersed.
Thus, the message is to Judah, and not Israel as a whole. For note, Judah is where the term Jew comes from.
Assyrian power seemed to be at its peak power, and it is likely that Manasseh had just returned from captivity.
Unlike Jonah he prophesied of forgiveness to the enemies of God, Nahum has a different message. Now, the time of repentance has passed and the message is of coming judgment. 1:8-9
8 But with an overflowing flood He will make an utter end of its place, And darkness will pursue His enemies.
9 What do you conspire against the Lord? He will make an utter end of it. Affliction will not rise up a second time.
The Message:
The Message:
The message of Nahum was one of hopeful encouragement and warning.
Encouragement
Returning from captivity, the Israelites were probably still under fear of the Assyrians and the thoughts of returning to captivity. Nahum’s message was one of encouragement and a reminder that god still fought for them. Nahum 1:15
7 The Lord is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him.
15 Behold, on the mountains The feet of him who brings good tidings, Who proclaims peace! O Judah, keep your appointed feasts, Perform your vows. For the wicked one shall no more pass through you; He is utterly cut off.
Warning
The warning was for Israel and their return from captivity following repentance.
The warning was a reminder of Nineveh, who having repented was spared, but now having turned again against God, would be destroyed.
14 The Lord has given a command concerning you: “Your name shall be perpetuated no longer. Out of the house of your gods I will cut off the carved image and the molded image. I will dig your grave, For you are vile.”
8 Though Nineveh of old was like a pool of water, Now they flee away. “Halt! Halt!” they cry; But no one turns back.
7 It shall come to pass that all who look upon you Will flee from you, and say, ‘Nineveh is laid waste! Who will bemoan her?’ Where shall I seek comforters for you?”
1 He who scatters has come up before your face. Man the fort! Watch the road! Strengthen your flanks! Fortify your power mightily.
2 For the Lord will restore the excellence of Jacob Like the excellence of Israel, For the emptiers have emptied them out And ruined their vine branches.
Nineveh’s efforts to prevent the coming judgment of God where futile efforts. A piece of papers attempts to hold back a tidal wave, or an ant to overcome the might of an elephant are no less futile than Nineveh’s efforts to prevent the wrath of God.
Nahum, having seen the efforts pf Nineveh proclaims a four fold message.
Man the Fort!
Watch the Road!
Strengthen your flanks!
Fortify your power mightily!
Yet, this message was a message of mockery at their empty labors.
The Applicable message:
The Applicable message:
God does not change.
A. He forgave when their was repentance.
B. He brought judgment when repentance was nowhere to be found.
You see Gd did not change. He is consistent in His stance of righteousness and the moral absoluteness of His divine nature. God did not change, Nineveh did. Thus, the message of Nineveh is not that God changes, rather that He does not change at all.
When we see a conflict within the Scriptures, the problem is not the Bible, it is us.
There is a limit to the forbearance of God. God extended mercy to Nineveh as long as they would listen, but when their herts were hardened, God swept them away in judgement.
God is an avenging God. In the Words of G. Campbell Morgan, “God is actual, God is Active, and God is absolute.”
