NAHUM

Nahum's name means, 'The Lord comforts.' He prophesied about God's imminent judgment on Nineveh, the capital of Assyria. His prophecy was fulfilled when Nineveh was conquered by the Babylonians in 612 B.C. Once, God sent Jonah to Nineveh to preach repentance, and the people repented and were saved. This time, however, Nineveh did not repent, and the city was destroyed.

God once had used Assyria as the rod of his anger (Isa 10:5); the Assyrian army destroyed Samaria, capital of Northern Israel in 721-22 B.C. (2Ki 17). The Assyrians were very proud and cruel. Their imperial policies were ruthless.

God is just and he hates evil, so he would surely punish Assyria. Nineveh's fall was good news for Judah. Once Ahaz, king of Judah, foolishly had asked Assyria's help, inviting destruction (Isa 7). Once the Assyrian army knocked at the door of Jerusalem, but because of the prayers of King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah, God had intervened and spared Jerusalem (2Ki 18; Isa 36). Now, God would punish Assyria for her wickedness.

Nahum talks about God's destruction of Nineveh in all three chapters. He proclaims the sovereignty of God. God controls the destiny of all nations; God rules nations and history.

1. The Lord's anger and love (1-10)

The Lord is the sovereign ruler of nature and history. He is the Avenger. No one needs to seek revenge, for the Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished. His way is in the whirlwind and storm; he can make the mountains quake and the rivers run dry. The world and all who live in it tremble at his presence. No one can withstand his anger. But he is also loving and kind; he is a refuge for those who seek him. He cares for those who trust in him.

2. Good news for Judah (11-15)

The Assyrian king was probably the most powerful man on earth. Tiny, helpless Judah was included in his plots and plans for world conquest. But the Almighty God was with his people. He would break the Assyrian yoke from their necks and destroy the idols of the Assyrians. Assyria would be cut off without descendants, and God's people would dwell in peace (15).

Application: Lord, I put my trust in you, for you are almighty, and you are good.
One Word: He cares for us