Nahum
Background:
The end of the seventh century b.c. was an exciting time for Judah, as the great reformer Josiah (640–609) ruled in Jerusalem. Over this time of blessing, however, loomed the threat of invasion by Assyria. Nineveh, Assyria’s capital, had been the site of a great revival in Jonah’s day, nearly 150 years before in about 750 (Jonah 3:4–10). But the revival had faded quickly, and Assyria destroyed Israel’s northern kingdom in 722 and nearly destroyed Judah in 701. Now Assyria had set its sights on Judah once again, so God called Nahum to proclaim his final judgment against Nineveh.
Nineveh’s doom would come soon after Nahum’s warnings, when the rising Babylonian empire defeated it in 612. Babylon would go on to win victories against Judah in 605 and 597, finally defeating it in 586.
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Nahum 1: The Lord’s Anger
Ø List the adjectives that describe the Lord in this Chapter. What can we learn from them?
Ø Why was the Lord so upset with Nineveh? What does this teach us about how God views His people?
Ø Jonah preached to Nineveh and they repented approximately 150 years earlier. What can we learn from Nineveh’s falling back into sin?
Nahum 2: Nineveh’s Fall
Ø What does this chapter tell us about man’s ability to fight against the Lord? Application for us today?
Ø What should man expect when he exalts himself above God? Application for today?
Ø “It is unclear to archaeologists how the attackers used Nineveh’s extensive waterways to invade. They either opened the floodgates and flooded the city, causing its foundations to crumble, as 2:6 might suggest or; they drained the waterways (see 2:8) and entered through the exposed walls.”[2] What does this teach us about the means God uses to accomplish His purposes?
Nahum 3: Woe to Nineveh
Ø List the sins of Nineveh according to Nahum. Does this sound at all familiar?
Ø What does it mean that God “will show the nations your nakedness”? (vs. 3:5)
Ø When God declares war is there anyone who can come to the aid of the ones being judged and fight against Him? Application?
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