Nahum,
the Prophet February
03, 2018
Nahum
1: The Comfort to Judah (a duel prophecy for our time)
• 903 B.C.
Rise of Nineveh
• 759 B.C.
The warning of Jonah
• 722 B.C.
Destruction of Northern Kingdom
• 709 B.C.
The Invasion of Judah
• 663 B.C. The Prophecy of Nahum
• 625 B.C. The Destruction of Assyria
This
book was written between 663 – 612 where Nahum witnessed the invasion of the
Assyrian empire against Jerusalem.
· Subject of this prophecy is
the approaching complete and final
destruction of Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian
empire.
· It was a large city and was
then the center of the civilization and commerce of the world.
· It was strongly fortified on
every side, bidding defiance to every enemy;
· It was utterly destroyed as
a punishment for their great wicked ways.
· Jonah had given his message
of warning to the Assyrian and they repented.
· Nahum predicted the
destruction of the city,
· Predictions which were
fulfilled (625 B.C.)
· City was destroyed by
Babylon, apparently by fire
· The Assyrian empire came to
an end, changed the face of Asia.
The city of Nineveh
· located on the east side of
the Tigris River,
· about 550 miles northeast of Samaria. That
· great city was second in
size only to Babylon.
· large city, protected by an
outer wall and an inner wall:
· the inner wall was 50 feet
wide and 100 feet high;
· three chariots abreast
raced on top.
· had 1200 towers, each 200
ft high.
· City was 60 miles in
circumference
· population of 600,000 was
supported by internally grown crops.
· was known for its idolatry;
it had temples dedicated to the gods Nabu, Asshur, Adad, and Dagon, the fish god,
Ishtar.
The
coming judgment on Nineveh (in return for her terrible killings on various
nations including Israel, the Northern Kingdom, in 722 B.C.) would bring great
comfort to the afflicted Judah.
Judah
had felt the threat of the Assyrian Empire breathing down her neck. In fact,
Assyria had defeated much of Judah and had even surrounded Jerusalem in 701
B.C.
2 Kings
19:34-35
'For I will defend this city, to save it For My own sake and for My servant
David's sake.' " (35) And it came to pass on a certain night that the
angel of the LORD went out, and killed in the camp of the Assyrians one hundred
and eighty-five thousand; and when people arose early in the morning, there
were the corpses--all dead.
The
purpose of Nahum’s book is to announce the fall of Nineveh and thereby comfort
Judah with the assurance that God is in control.
Introduction
Nahum 1:1 A pronouncement about
Nineveh: The record of the vision of
Nahum from Elkosh.
Vision of Nahum verses the Word of the LORD came to
Jonah
The book of Nahum may be
divided as follows:
1.
The Character of
God, 1:1-8
2.
God’s Punishment
of His Enemies; 1:9-15
3.
The Destruction
of Nineveh; 2
4.
The Cause of the
Destruction; 3
The name “Nahum” abbreviated form of the
name Nehemiah which means
“Comfort of (God) Yahweh” appropriate
for his ministry to Judah.
A native of Elkosh, (in
Galilee, Kephar-Nahum, City of Nahum_Capernaum –cu per i um) little is known
about the prophet himself. A brief introduction in 1: 1 is the only time in
Scripture that either the prophet or the city appears.
The
capital of the Assyrian Empire was Nineveh, the city that heard the preaching
of Jonah a hundred years before and repented. Nahum will address a city that
has slipped back into sin, and is again ripe for judgment.
We
covered Jonah last week.
The
holiness of the Lord; judgment upon Nineveh
Nahum 1:2 A jealous God, the LORD
avenges. The LORD avenges; The Lord
is an angry husband. The LORD takes vengeance on his enemies,
reserving anger for his adversaries.
(a different view of Jesus personality)
·
Nahum shows us that God not only deals with individuals as individuals,
·
He also deals with nations as nations.
·
“This is the prophecy which sets
forth, more clearly than any other, the truth concerning the wrath of God, in
its national application.”
·
Nations will be held to account
by God
·
Set themselves against God will
end up receiving His vengeance
Nahum 1:3 The LORD is slow to anger and powerful, and he will never let the guilty go unpunished. The LORD's path
is in the windstorm and hurricane; thunderclouds are dust beneath his feet.
Jesus
power is so great that He controls the mightiest forces known to man.
Nahum
is talking about the character of Jesus who brings judgment. God’s power should
make us trust in His help and to fear His judgment. Grace.
Nahum
1:4 He rebukes the sea, and it
evaporates; he dries up all the rivers.
Bashan and Carmel wither, while the flowers of Lebanon languish.
Nahum 1:5 Mountains shake because of him, and the hills melt. The earth goes into upheaval at his presence, as
does the world with all of its inhabitants.
God
is the moral ruler of the universe; and
He is a righteous judge. Penalties must be paid.
Nahum 1:6 Who can stand before his fury? And who can
endure his fierce anger? His displeasure pours out like fire, and rocks are
broken to pieces because of him.
Nahum 1:7 The LORD is good--a refuge in
troubled times. He knows those who are confiding in him.
Nahum 1:8 But with an overwhelming
deluge he will bring utter desolation to
Nineveh, and his enemies he will pursue with darkness.
God’s
Punishment of His Enemies
Nahum 1:9 What are you scheming
against the LORD? He will bring about utter desolation--affliction will not strike twice!
(so severe the first time)
Nahum 1:10 Indeed, while tangled as
by a thorn bush, while drunken as by a strong drink, the Ninevites will be burned like dry straw.
This
is how ripe Nineveh is for judgment, and how complete the fire of judgment will
be when it comes.
Nahum 1:11 Someone has left you who
plans evil against the LORD. He is a wicked counselor.
Nahum 1:12 This is what the LORD
says: "No matter how strong they are, and no matter how numerous, they
will surely be annihilated and pass away. Though I have afflicted you, I will
do so no more. (Judah)
Nahum 1:13 Now I will break off
Assyria's yoke from you, and tear apart your shackles."
Nahum 1:14 Now this is what the Lord has decreed about
you, Nineveh: "There will be no more children born to carry on your name.
I will cut out the graven and molten images from the temples of your gods. I myself will dig your grave, because
you are vile."
God
warns Nineveh of its coming judgment and destruction.
The
joyful news
Nahum 1:15 Look! There on the
mountains! The feet of the one who brings good news, who broadcasts a message
of peace. Judah, celebrate your solemn feasts and keep your vows, because the wicked will
never again invade you. Nineveh will be completely eliminated!
Knowing
the grace and mercy of Jesus to His people should not make the believer careless in obedience, it should make the believer more careful
to obey every word of the LORD.
Interesting, what 2 things
Jesus said:
· celebrate your solemn feasts
· keep your vows
The Destruction of Nineveh Detailed
Nahum 2:1 You are being attacked by advancing forces!
Guard your rampart! Watch your roads! Prepare yourselves! Marshall your
defenses!
The prophet sees a mighty
army coming against the city of
Nineveh.
Nahum 2:2 For the LORD will restore
the glory of Jacob, just as he will restore the glory of Israel, although
plunderers have devastated them, vandalizing their vine branches.
Nahum 2:3 The shields deployed by
Israel's elite forces are scarlet, their valiant men are clothed in crimson.
When they are prepared, the polished armament on their chariots will shine, and
lances will be brandished about ferociously.
Nahum 2:4 Their chariots storm
through the streets, jostling each other along broad avenues. They look like
torches, as they dart around like lightning.
Nahum 2:5 He will remember to summon
his finest troops. They will stumble on their way, hurrying over to Nineveh's
wall. Their defensive shield is in place.
Nahum 2:6 The river gates will be
opened, and the palace will collapse.
The
Tigris overflowed, took out a section of the wall, and the city became like a
pool of water… 2 ½ miles of wall were along the Tigris.
Nahum 2:7 It has been determined: She shall be led away captive, She shall be
brought up; And her maidservants shall lead her as with the voice of doves,
Beating their breasts.
Nineveh
will fall before this mighty army, and she will be humbled and led
away captive even as the Assyrians led other nations in captivity
Nahum 2:8 Nineveh is a reservoir
whose water is draining away. "Wait! Wait!" they cry, yet not even
one person looks back.
Nahum 2:9
Take the silver! Take the gold! There is no end to the treasure--fabulous
riches of every imagination. (Nineveh brought low and
spoiled)
Nahum 2:10 Nineveh is empty,
desolate, and wasted. Her heart melts, her knees shake. Much pain is in
every side, And all their faces are drained of color.
Nahum 2:11 Where is this lion's den?
Where is the place where the young lions fed, where the lion and its mate
walked with their young, the place where they feared nothing?
Nahum 2:12 This lion renders its prey
to pieces to feed its whelps, and strangles enough prey for its mate, filling
its lairs with prey and its dens with rendered flesh.
They
crushed and plundered other nations like lions destroying prey
Nahum 2:13 "I am against
you," declares the LORD of the
Heavenly Armies, "and I will send your chariots up in smoke. A sword
will devour your young lions, I will eliminate your prey from the earth, and the voice of your messengers will no longer
be heard."
This
title refers to God’s place as Commander in Chief
over all the armies of heaven
That
day would come to an end under the judgment of God.
Nahum 3: The Cause of the Destruction, Woe to Nineveh
God
loved Nineveh: it was His closing comments to Jonah. But both individuals and
nations can cross a line too far, the red line.
Nahum 3:1 Woe to the bloody city! It is all full of lies and robbery. Its victim
never departs.
Nahum 3:2 The crack of whips and the
clamor of wheels! The galloping horses and the bounding chariots!
Nahum takes a tour
of the city of Nineveh and observes how ripe it is for judgment. He sees it is
a busy city, full of the noise of a whip and the noise of rattling wheels,
of galloping horses, of clattering chariots. Yet it is busy with violence,
deception, and idolatry
Nahum 3:3 The cavalry attacks--the
flashing sword and the glittering spear! Many are the slain--so many
casualties!--No end to bodies, and
the soldiers trip over the corpses.
No
wonder Nahum called Nineveh “the city of blood”, a city noted for its
“cruelty”!
Violence & Cruelty,
they recorded and known for. (same for Adolf Hitler)
Not only where the
rulers of Assyria terribly cruel, they boasted of the cruelty on
monuments that exist in museums to this day.
· “I cut off their heads and formed them into pillars”
· “I flayed all the chief men who had revolted, and I
covered the pillar with their skins”
· “Many within the border of my own land I flayed, and
spread their skins upon the walls”
· “I cut off the limbs of the officers, the royal
officers who had rebelled”
· “3,000 captives I burned with fire”
· “Their corpses I formed into pillars”
· “From son I cut off their hands and their fingers, and
from other I cut off their noses, their ears, and their fingers, of many I put
out their eyes”
· “I made one pillar of the living, and another of
heads, I bound their heads to posts round about the city”
Nahum 3:4 Innumerable are the
harlotries of this well-favored whore, this mistress of witchcraft, who
enslaves nations through her fornication and families through her sorceries.
The
Lord emphasis is now on the humbling of the city, before on military
defeat.
Nahum 3:5 "Look, I am against you," declares the LORD of the Heavenly
Armies, "so I will pull up your dress over your face. I will show your
nakedness to the nations, and your disgrace
to the kingdoms.
Nahum 3:6 I will hurl abominable
filth upon you, making you look foolish, and making an example of you.
Nahum 3:7 It will be that everyone
who looks at you will run away, saying, 'Nineveh has been violently overthrown!
Who will mourn for her? Where will I
find anyone to comfort you?'"
The
City is ripe for judgment.
Nahum 3:8 "Are you any better
than Thebes, which sits by the upper Nile, surrounded by water? The sea was her
defense, the waters her wall of protection.
· The prophet speaks of the capture and destruction of
No-Amon, Hebrew name of the Egyptian city of Thebes.
·
The Assyrians knew this well, because it was their armies that
destroyed Thebes.
· Nahum says, “Remember what you did to No Amon? The same is coming on you
· Fall of Thebes, occurred
about 663 B.C.
Nahum 3:9 Sudan was her source of
strength, along with Egypt--there were no limits. Put and the Libyans were her
allies.
Nahum 3:10 But she, too, was
exiled--she went into captivity! Her young children were dashed to pieces at
every crossroad of their streets, and her famous citizens were sold by lottery,
while all of her aristocrats were put in chains.
Nahum 3:11 You will also become
drunk. You will disappear, trying to hide from your enemies.
Nahum 3:12 All your defenses are like fig
trees with ripe early fruit--when shaken, it falls right into the
devourer's mouth."
Nahum 3:13 "Look at your
people--they are women! Your borders stand wide open to your enemies, while fire consumes the bars of your gates.
Digs
around the city found large deposits of ash, which is evidence of a major fire.
Nahum 3:14 Draw water, because a
siege is coming! Strengthen your fortresses! Make the clay good and strong! Mix
the mortar! Go get your brick molds!
Nahum 3:15 In that place fire will
consume you, the sword will cut you down,
consuming you as locusts do. Multiply yourself like locusts, increase like
swarming grasshoppers.
Nahum 3:16 You added to your
inventory of businessmen--they number more than the stars of heaven. The
creeping locust sheds its skin and flies away.
Nahum 3:17 Your imperial guards are
like the swarming grasshopper; your marshals are like hordes of grasshoppers,
settling in the stone walls on a chilly day. The sun rises, and they flee away;
no one knows where they went.
Nahum 3:18 Hey king of Assyria! Your shepherds are
asleep and your nobles are lying down! Your people lie scattered on the
mountains, and there is no one to gather them together.
Nahum 3:19 There is no healing for your injury--your
wound is fatal. Everyone who hears about
you will applaud, because who hasn't escaped your endless evil?
Nineveh
has come to a place where there is no healing for her people. There is a line
that people—and nations—cannot cross without the judgment of God.
Prophecies
Fulfilled from Historical records
· The besieged city would
prepare bricks and mortar for emergency defense walls. “To the south of the
gate, the moat is still filled with fragments of stone and mud bricks from the
walls, heaped up when they were breached.”
· The city gates would be
destroyed. “The main attack was directed from the northwest and the burning
fell upon the gate at this corner…within the gate are traces of the counter wall
raised by the inhabitants in their last try
· In the final hours of the
attack the city would be drunk. “The Assyrian king… distributed to his soldiers
meats and liberal supplies of wine and provisions. The enemy’s camp made an
unexpected attack by night”
· Nineveh would be destroyed
by a flood. In the third year of the siege, heavy rains caused a nearby river to
flood part of the city and break part of the Walls.
· Nineveh would be destroyed
by fire, excavations have revealed charred wood, charcoal, and ashes. “There was
no question about the clear traces of burning of the temple and palace, for a
layer of ash about two inches thick.
· The city’s capture would be
attended by a great massacre of people. “In two battles fought on the plain
before the city the rebels defeated the Assyrians… So great was the multitude
of the slain that the flowing stream, mingled with their blood, changed its
color for a considerable distance.”
· Babylonian Records: “Great
quantities of the spoil from the city, was carried off. The city was made into a mound and ruin
heap”
· The officers would weaken,
desert and flee its people would try to escape.
· Nineveh’s images and idols
would be destroyed. “The statue of the
goddess Ishtar lay headless in the debris of city ruins”
· Nineveh’s destruction would
be final. Many cities of the ancient Near East were rebuilt after being
destroyed, but not Nineveh.
City
of Nineveh
