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Samuel Rutherford said, “When I am in the cellar of affliction, I look around for the Lord’s choices wines.”

Joseph, betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery, falsely accused in Egypt, sitting in a dungeon, rose to second in command, saving many lives during a famine. (Genesis 50:20) Ruth, a young widow who tragically lost her husband, an immigrant living in poverty, found God's abundance in Bethlehem and became ancestor of Jesus. (Matthew 1:5) Paul, imprisoned in Philippi for Jesus, started singing at night, and saved the jailor's life and baptized his whole house into God's family. (Acts 16:25-34)

In this series, we’re exploring the twelve prophets at the end of the Old Testament or Hebrew Bible. The goal is to help you understand the Bible, themes from these books, and the prophet’s purpose. We’ll view the books both from 40,000 feet and zoom in close up on passages.

Welcome to the Twelve Prophets Tour.

What is a prophet? A prophet receives messages from God and speaks for God, linking heaven and earth. Prophecy shows us God’s character and leads us to Jesus. Prophets are like the mouth & heart of God. Prophets are filled with God’s Spirit, to proclaim God’s Word and perform signs and wonders (2 Peter 1:21). John Walton says, Prophecy is not prediction, but reveals God’s plans and purposes. Prophets identify what people did wrong, tell what God was going to do, encourage a particular response, and describe God’s continuing relationship with people. As Jay Stringer says, Prophets expose us to what is most true, and yet awaken us to dreams more beautiful than we could’ve conceived. That is, the prophets help us understand God’s heart for people. Alain Emerson says, Through the prophets Israel knew not only what God was saying but also what God was feeling. The prophets called God’s people back to covenant faithfulness to God and called God’s people forward into a hopeful future.

NAHUM (at a glance)
Name: Nahum “comfort” of Elkosh.
Genre: Hebrew poetry, 3 chapters
Time: 663-612BC
Themes: God’s goodness, justice, downfall of oppressive empire.
Key verses: Nahum 1:7-8
Nahum in the NT: Romans 10:15
Main idea: Oppressive empires will fall, but God’s kingdom will be forever.

OUTLINE

God’s Goodness & Power | Nahum 1
Assyria’s Evil & Downfall | Nahum 2-3

CONTEXT

Nahum is a prophet from Elkosh, an unknown location. One tradition says Capernaum “village of Nahum” in Galilee (Jesus lived there, Matt. 4:13). Nahum is the sequel to Jonah, written about 125 years later in ~650BC (7th century). They had turned to God then, but now they had returned to their evil ways. Nahum writes with bold poetry and vivid imagery about the downfall of the Assyrian empire and its capital city Nineveh (modern Iraq). The Assyrians were a full-strength (1:12) superpower in the 8th-7th centuries, and their expansion into Israel led to the total destruction and mass deportation of the northern kingdom and its tribes in 722BC (2 Kings 17). The Assyrians were proudly famous and feared for their brutal violence and war crimes. They tortured and terrorized people with cruelty and committed horrific atrocities that are sickening. God fulfilled the promise of Nahum’s prophecy and Nineveh was destroyed by the Medes & Babylonians in 612BC.

God’s Goodness & Power | Nahum 1

In chapter 1, Nahum opens by poetically describing God’s power and glory, coming to bring justice. There’s fierce storms, winds, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, etc. God’s character is quoted from Exodus 34:6-7, “The Lord is slow to anger, and great in power, and will never acquit the guilty.” (1:3) No one gets away with anything. God is passionate and avenges (1:2). Who can stand before the heat of God’s anger? But God doesn’t lose his temper. God is patient, yet God does take action, confronting evil, righting the wrongs.

The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble, he knows those who trust in him. But the place of those who hate God will be swept away in an overwhelming flood, pursued into darkness.(1:7-8) Nahum contrasts oppressive empires and God’s faithful people. The arrogant, violent nations at full strength with so many, will be brought down and disappear. God will break the yoke, tear off the chains of oppression. (Matthew 11:28-30) It’s all over for you. Your gods are going in the trash. God’s digging a grave. Look! A messenger comes over the mountains bringing good news of peace! (1:13-15) (It’s the return of wellbeing to the city, because the Assyrian king is dead.)

Assyria’s Evil & Downfall | Nahum 2-3

In chapter 2, Nahum describes his vision of the battle of Nineveh in a breathless, exciting, rush of events. Keep watch! Get ready! Weapons flash in the sunlight, red shields and uniforms appears like an advancing forest on the horizon. Then horses galloping, hooves pounding, chariots charging, wheels rushing, swords flashing, spears gleaming, bodies falling. There’s chaos on the city walls as they’re breached. The river gates are opened. The palace collapses. Armies are rushing, fighting in the streets, plundering the city, things are burning, people are evacuating the city like a swimming pool with its plug pulled (2:8).

Historians tell us Nineveh was located on the eastern bank of the Tigris River and had a network of moats, canals, and gates for its defense, but that led to her downfall. Heavy rains, flooding, and the release of a river gate upstream caused the water to come rushing and the walls collapsed. (1:8, 2:6)

What happened to the famous Assyrian lion? Where’s the great lion’s den of Nineveh? The Assyrian had statues of winged lions with human heads, the goddess Ishtar rode on a lion, and the king of Assyria described himself as a fierce lion in battle. Nahum essentially says, You were the lion. Now you’re the prey. You took whatever you wanted, but now you’re cowering, no longer in command. “I am against you” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. (2:11-13)

In chapter 3, Nahum gives the reasons for Assyria’s downfall. “Oh!” says Nahum. What sorrow awaits Nineveh, bloody city, full of lies, crammed with wealth, the whole thing built on violence. Military exploits, acts of treachery, immorality, enslaving people, enticing sorceries…the world will see the ugly truth of it all. (3:1-7) The city was responsible for the deaths of so many because of its empire-building and war-making for money. The powerful are causing the deaths of people without resources. Systemic injustice made the nation successful, but their choices inevitably led to their own downfall.

Are you better than the city of Thebes? (3:8-10) Nineveh would say, “Of course I’m better than Thebes, we conquered them didn’t we?” Thebes (ancient capital of Egypt) thought they were invincible, but fell in 663BC. Assyria, it’ll happen to you. Your fortresses are like trees full of ripe peaches, one shake and they fall straight into hungry mouths (3:12) Nineveh’s as good as dead. And I would just like you to know that no one will be sorry to see you go.

The book ends with a question, a taunt against the Assyrian king with a fatal wound, a sarcastic lament: “All who hear about you will clap their hands for joy. For who has not suffered from your continual cruelty?” (3:18-19)

TAKEAWAYS

Nahum’s message for us today is one of comfort (that’s what his name means!). Think about how comforting it must have been to Nahum’s listeners who had suffered cruelly from Assyria’s evil, violence, and oppression. Even today, nations authorize killing the innocent, treat others inhumanely, exploit the poor, support slavery, and fail to care for people’s basic needs. We humbly trust that God will deal with every oppressor, “building their heaven on someone else’s hell.” For those suffering the atrocities of war, the bonds of injustice, this is good news. Oppressive empires will fall, but God’s kingdom is forever.

Christ is risen. Death will not have the last word. Evil will not have the last word. The powers of darkness will not have the last word.

Remember! Nahum 1:7 says, “The Lord is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in him.”

Good. The Lord is good, real good. Psalm 34:8 says, “Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh the joys of those who take refuge in him.”

Safe. The Lord is a safe place, a refuge, stronghold (Hebrew: ma’oz) In the day of trouble, when things are distressing (Hebrew: tsarah), when you’re in a tight place, feeling the pressure, in a bind, tied-up-in-knots-anxious…God is your safe place.

Close. God knows closely those who trust in him. In other words, the Lord recognizes, pays attention to, and cares for those who take shelter under God’s wings.

If you’re hurting, God is strong, trustworthy, and provides you with a safe place. Listen. God knows our deepest hurts and wounds, and is a safe place to go to. God welcomes anyone looking for help. When you trust in the Lord, you are held in God’s strength. God intimately knows the ones who are trusting in him. Jesus cares and embraces those who trust in him. Take refuge in God.

Where in your life do you need God’s overwhelming goodness? God's refuge and safety? Go to God.

“The Lord is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in him.” You can simply submit everything in your power to Christ’s power, and so become like Jesus.

Resources
Alain Emerson & Adam Cox, The God Story
Robert Alter, Hebrew Bible Translation with Commentary
John Goldingay, The Lost Letters to the Twelve Prophets, Minor Prophets II Commentary
Tremper Longman & Raymond Dillard, Introduction to the Old Testament
Tim Mackie, Bible Project Guide: Book of Nahum
G. Campbell Morgan, The Minor Prophets
Warren Wiersbe, Bible Exposition Commentary: Prophets
John Walton, OT Bible Background Commentary