Nahum Week 7 February 25, 2021

Introduction

What does the phrase: “Deer in the headlights” mean?

Have you ever had a moment where you felt like a “deer in the headlights”?

Today Nahum describes how the destruction of Nineveh will make them feel like deer in the headlights.

This passage is also a declaration from God that He would use fear to judge those who inflicted fear on others.

Nahum 2:1–10 ESV

1 The scatterer has come up against you. Man the ramparts; watch the road; dress for battle; collect all your strength. 2 For the Lord is restoring the majesty of Jacob as the majesty of Israel, for plunderers have plundered them and ruined their branches. 3 The shield of his mighty men is red; his soldiers are clothed in scarlet. The chariots come with flashing metal on the day he musters them; the cypress spears are brandished. 4 The chariots race madly through the streets; they rush to and fro through the squares; they gleam like torches; they dart like lightning. 5 He remembers his officers; they stumble as they go, they hasten to the wall; the siege tower is set up. 6 The river gates are opened; the palace melts away; 7 its mistress is stripped; she is carried off, her slave girls lamenting, moaning like doves and beating their breasts. 8 Nineveh is like a pool whose waters run away. “Halt! Halt!” they cry, but none turns back. 9 Plunder the silver, plunder the gold! There is no end of the treasure or of the wealth of all precious things. 10 Desolate! Desolation and ruin! Hearts melt and knees tremble; anguish is in all loins; all faces grow pale!

God has spoken (v7)

The New International Version Chapter 2

7 It is decreed that Nineveh

be exiled and carried away.

Her female slaves moan like doves

and beat on their breasts.

The ESV translates this passage slightly different. The point of the passage is the declaration of God.

Let’s take a look at the declarations of God.

God’s Word _______________________ Genesis 1:3

God’s Word _______________________ Genesis 6:7

God’s Word _______________________ Matthew 4:4

God’s Word _______________________ 2 Peter 3:7

God’s Word _______________________ 1 Thes 4:16a

God’s Word _______________________ John 5:28-29

God’s Word _______________________ Matt. 25:41-46

God’s Words are powerful and should inspire us to trust in and follow Him.

Mankind cannot stop the actions of God (v8)

This is actually the first time Nineveh is mentioned in the book.

God brings desolation to Nineveh 10

Opening Up Nahum The Rape of Nineveh (v. 10)

Nineveh was

PILLAGED—the city was despoiled and her beauty taken away;

PLUNDERED—it was ransacked, anything of value was removed or broken up;

STRIPPED—nothing of any use was left; and this was one of their own policies being visited upon them.

This verse is like being a lookout on the deck of the Titanic.

God would absolutely judge this city who turned and sinned so horribly.

Discussion

Let’s read Psalm 7:14-16. What does this passage warn people who do evil? What other parts of the Bible share this same warning?

Let’s read Revelation 16:1-21. Are these words literally going to be fulfilled or do they just symbolically talk about God’s judgment.

How could we share the warnings of Psalm 7 and Revelation 16 with friends and family?

How as Christians should we respond to people who are deeply suffering?