Nahum Survey

The pronouncement concerning Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite. The Lord is a jealous and avenging God; the Lord takes vengeance and is fierce in wrath. The Lord takes vengeance against his foes; he is furious with his enemies. The Lord is slow to anger but great in power; the Lord will never leave the guilty unpunished. His path is in the whirlwind and storm, and clouds are the dust beneath his feet. He rebukes the sea and dries it up, and he makes all the rivers run dry. Bashan and Carmel wither; even the flower of Lebanon withers. The mountains quake before him, and the hills melt; the earth trembles at his presence— the world and all who live in it. Who can withstand his indignation? Who can endure his burning anger? His wrath is poured out like fire; even rocks are shattered before him. The Lord is good, a stronghold in a day of distress; he cares for those who take refuge in him. But he will completely destroy Nineveh with an overwhelming flood, and he will chase his enemies into darkness.

Next is a judgement

Nahum 1:9–11 CSB

Whatever you plot against the Lord, he will bring it to complete destruction; oppression will not rise up a second time. For they will be consumed like entangled thorns, like the drink of a drunkard and like straw that is fully dry. One has gone out from you, who plots evil against the Lord, and is a wicked counselor.

Then there is a salvation message

Nahum 1:12–13 CSB

This is what the Lord says: Though they are strong and numerous, they will still be mowed down, and he will pass away. Though I have punished you, I will punish you no longer. For I will now break off his yoke from you and tear off your shackles.

Next is a judgement

Nahum 1:14 CSB

The Lord has issued an order concerning you: There will be no offspring to carry on your name. I will eliminate the carved idol and cast image from the house of your gods; I will prepare your grave, for you are contemptible.

Then a salvation

Nahum 1:15 CSB

Look to the mountains— the feet of the herald, who proclaims peace. Celebrate your festivals, Judah; fulfill your vows. For the wicked one will never again march through you; he will be entirely wiped out.

Then a judgement

Nahum 2:1 CSB

One who scatters is coming up against you. Man the fortifications! Watch the road! Brace yourself! Summon all your strength!

Then a salvation

Nahum 2:2 CSB

For the Lord will restore the majesty of Jacob, yes, the majesty of Israel, though ravagers have ravaged them and ruined their vine branches.

Assyrian kings loved lions. They portrayed themselves more powerful than a lion, or themselves as a god-lion.

Nahum 2:11–13 CSB

Where is the lions’ lair, or the feeding ground of the young lions, where the lion and lioness prowled, and the lion’s cub, with nothing to frighten them away? The lion mauled whatever its cubs needed and strangled prey for its lionesses. It filled up its dens with the kill, and its lairs with mauled prey. Beware, I am against you. This is the declaration of the Lord of Armies. I will make your chariots go up in smoke, and the sword will devour your young lions. I will cut off your prey from the earth, and the sound of your messengers will never be heard again.

What should we learn from Nahum to help us in 2021?

The name “Nahum” means comfort. In a book so full of blood and vengeance, how or who is the comfort for?

Key verse

But

Nahum 1:7 CSB

The Lord is good, a stronghold in a day of distress; he cares for those who take refuge in him.