Author: Of Nahum, whose name means "consolation", almost nothing is known, except the brief information with which he begins this prophecy. His identification as a native of "Elkosh", doesn't tell us much, since the location of this people isn't known. Capernaum, the city of Galilee so prominent in Jesus' ministry, means "town of Nahum", and some have speculated, but without providing solid evidence, that this denomination derives from the prophet. Nahum prophesied in Judah during the reigns of Manasseh, Amon and Josiah. Zephaniah, Habakkuk and Jeremiah were his contemporaries.
Date: In Nahum 3:8-10, the prophet recounts the fate of the Egyptian city of Thebes (No, No Amon), destroyed in 663 B.C. The fall of Nineveh, the theme around which the entire book rotates, occurred in 612 B.C. Nahum's prophecy should be dated between these two events, since the book remembers the past and projects the future. Most probably this messages had been announced shortly before the destruction of Nineveh, perhaps when the enemies of Assyria were organizing their forces for the final attack.
Background: The kingdom of the Assyrians, with its capital Nineveh, had been very prosperous several centuries before Nahum appeared on the scene. Its territory, which suffered various changes throughout the years with the conquests and defeats suffered by its rulers, was found north of Babylon, between the Euphrates and Tigris Rivers, and extended even beyond them. Ancient documents give testimony of the cruelty exercised by the Assyrians against other peoples. The Assyrian kings boasted of their barbarity, and celebrated the abuses and tortures of which the conquered nations were made victims.
In 722-721 B.C., the Assyrians conquered the northern kingdom of Israel, while they seriously threatened Judah, the kingdom of the south. Only divine intervention impeded the profanation of Jerusalem a few years later, in 701 B.C. (see I Kings 17-19). Now, almost a century later, the empire whose atrocities made the world tremble, and which acted as an instrument of GOD against a sinful Israel, was poised on the edge of the precipice of divine destruction.
The fall of the Assyrian empire, which culminated with the destruction of the capital Nineveh, in 612 B.C., is the theme to which Nahum's prophecy is dedicated. The catastrophe which was about to fall upon the worst oppressor of that time, constituted Nahum's only preoccupation. Consequently, the prophecy exhibits a judicial style,incorporating ancient "oracles of judgment". The language is poetic, fiery, and is filled with images, which underline the intensity of the situation which Nahum confronts.
Since the judgment of Assyrian constitutes the central theme of Nahum, the book is primarily a message of consolation for the people of Judah. Notices of the destruction of the great tyranny brought some comfort to a people assaulted by anxiety and fear. Political captivity was always a theological theme for Israel, because this was one of the curses with which GOD punished disobedience (Deut. 28:33,36,37,49-52). Being freed from the terror of Assyrian domination was accompanied by a renewed confidence in the favor of GOD. The two proclamations interwoven with condemnation and consolation were further summarized in 1:7-9. Unfortunately, Judah didn't pay attention to the warning that Assyria's fall and the subsequent rise of Babylon represented. It maintained an attitude of moral rebellion, which resulted in its fall before Babylon in 586 B.C.
Content: The Book of Nahum focuses its attention on a single theme: the fall of the city of Nineveh. The prophecy embraces three principal parts, corresponding to the three chapters of the book.
The first describes the majesty and great power of GOD, and how that power works protecting the righteous and judging the unholy. Although GOD never rushes to judgment, it can't be presumed that He will remain patient forever. All the earth is in his hands; and even nature trembles when He appears in the fullness of his power (1:1-8). But the LORD promises to restore peace (1:15), defeat the enemies of his people (1:13-15) and remove the threat of a new affliction (1:9). The prediction of Nineveh's destruction constitutes a message of consolation for Judah (1:15).
The second part of the prophecy describes the near destruction of Nineveh (2:1-13). The city's attempts to defend itself against the attackers would be vain, because the LORD had decreed its fall and the ascent of Judah (2:1-7). The city would be inundated, and all the edifices built by men would be swept away (2:6). Its inhabitants would be led into captivity (2:7), just as others had fled in terror (2:8). Its treasures would be sacked (2:9); all its strength and confidence would disappear (2:10). The dwellingplace of lions would be desolate, because "I am against you", says Jehovah of the hosts (2:11-13).
The third chapter constitutes the final part of the book. GOD's judgment can seem implacable, but his judgment is justified. Nineveh was a "bloody city" (3:1), a city guilty of shedding the innocent blood of other peoples. It was a city known for deception, falsehood, robbery and the atrocities that it committed (3:1,4). Such monstrosities offended GOD, so that his verdict was inevitable (3:2,3,5-7). Like Thebes, the Egyptian city that fell in spite of its numerous allies and powerful defenses, Nineveh wouldn't escape divine judgment (3:8-13). All its efforts to survive would be futile (3:14,15). Its troops dispersed, its princes died, and lost its inhabitants in the mountains (3:16-18). GOD's judgment had come, and the peoples who were once victims of Assyria celebrated the notices of its fall (3:19).
Theological Contribution: (IBD) This book teaches the sure judgment of GOD against those who oppose His will and abuse His people. Acts of inhumanity are acts against GOD, and He will serve as the ultimate and final judge. GOD sometimes uses a pagan nation as an instrument of His judgment, just as He used the Assyrians against the nation of Israel. But this does not excuse the pagan nation from GOD's laws and requirements. It will be judged by the same standards of righteousness and holiness which GOD applies to all the other people of the world.
Special Considerations: (IBD) By a strange irony, the city in Galilee most closely associated with the ministry of Jesus was Capernaum. The name Capernaum in the Hebrew language means "the village of Nahum".
Some people wonder about the gloomy, pessimistic tone of the Book of Nahum. How can this picture of GOD's wrath and judgment be reconciled with the GOD of grace and love whom we meet in the New Testament? As the sovereign, all-powerful GOD, He has the right to work His purpose in the world. Judgment against sin is a part of the work which He must do in order to remain a just and holy GOD.
Nahum's announcement of GOD's approaching judgment also carries a call for holy living and faithful proclamation by GOD's Covenant People. Our work is to carry the message of His salvation to those who are surely doomed unless they turn to GOD in repentance and faith.
Personal Application: Nahum graphically describes how serious sin appears in GOD's eyes. Although his mercy and patience can postpone the judgment for a time, GOD will inevitably announce the day in which account must be given. His righteousness and judgment are inseparable, no human or superhuman power can resist his strength. His dominion extends over everything that exists, and he is seated on the bench as the judge who judges individuals as well as nations.
Nahum calls for serious reflection, and warns against the subtle sin of believing we can live separated from the will and ways of GOD. He reprimands us for having considered ourselves too firm and secure in our faith, because Assyria, once an instrument of GOD, is now the object of his wrath. No one could ever hear more terrible words than those that GOD directed at Nineveh: "I am against you" (2:13). With such omens, serious reflection will surely lead us to sincere repentance.
Abusing others constitutes sin in GOD's eyes. Assyria built a great empire spoiling and looting others; national or personal empires based on deception and tyranny offend the LORD and will be judged by Him. A life of unholiness eventually leads to isolation, not only from people, but from GOD. Everyone else will separate themselves from us and finally GOD will be obligated to judge us (3:19).
His judgment against sinners is eclipsed by his mercy toward the faithful. He extends his condemnation over the prideful, arrogant and rebellious; his consolation to the humble, devout and faithful.
The long awaited destruction of Assyria, teaches that the goodness and righteousness of GOD prevail, in spite of the contradictory appearance of the circumstances. His concern for his people is ceaseless, although he sometimes seems indifferent or slow in acting. The antidote for discouragement among believers is a vision revitalized by the person and power of GOD, a renewed comprehension that punishment belongs to GOD, not us. True faith leaves judgment in the LORD's hands.
The truth that GOD's judgment over the sinner and sin should move believers to a new evangelistic effort. Those who don't carry the message of the gospel may face the wrath of GOD.
Christ Revealed: The Book of Nahum proclaims GOD's judgment upon the sin and evil personified in the impiety of the Assyrians. Nineveh was destroyed, but that partial and temporary defeat of evil awaits the complete and permanent victory that can only come through Jesus Christ. Nahum's prophecy proclaims that GOD can't accept evil, that sin should be swept from the earth. In the crucifixion of Christ, GOD definitively condemned sin by allowing his own Son to die. See Matthew 27:46; II Corinthians 5:21. GOD's final judgment over evil and the unholy took place on the cross. It certainly constitutes a motive for greater celebration than that of the fall of Nineveh (Nah. 3:19).
Likewise, the greatest demonstration of divine goodness is also revealed in Jesus Christ. Nahum proclaims that GOD is good, although the revelation of his goodness only reached its climax in Christ (Rom. 5:6-11). GOD's goodness was incarnated in Jesus, vividly proclaiming the good news of peace. Now humanity counts on a way to return to the task which GOD has assigned it and to respond to his calling (Nah. 1:15). The evil lions (Nah. 2:11,12) have been frightened and replaced by the righteous Lion of the tribe of Judah (Rev. 5:5). The divine requirement to punish sin has been satisfied through the sacrifice of his Son.
The Holy Spirit in Action: The Book of Nahum doesn't contain specific references to the Holy Spirit. However, in the origin of the prophecy the work of the Spirit is implicit, as well as in the events described in the book.
The heading of the book describes it as "the vision of Nahum" (1:1). The Holy Spirit functions here as the one who reveals and inspires, as he makes known to Nahum the drama that passes before his eyes and communicates to him the divine message which he has been entrusted to transmit.
The Holy Spirit should also be considered the most responsible for the fall of Nineveh. Its enemies, among them the Babylonians, Medes, and Escites (I'm not sure of the English for this name. I couldn't find it anywhere on the Internet except on Spanish websites and one for India. The Escites were a nomadic people originating in the Asian steppes. Expelled from Asia, they migrated to the north of the Black Sea, from which their culture spread from the Balkans to Siberia. The Escites were a barbarian nomadic group who penetrated Europe from the east in approximately 7,000 B.C. Shortly before 700 B.C. they began their incursions into Asia Minor from their base in Ukraine. In the centuries following their cooperation in the attack on Nineveh, the Escite horsemen posed a constant threat against the Persian Empire in the west and the Chinese Empire to the east.), joined forces against the Assyrians and sacked the city. GOD utilizes human agents to achieve his judgment, but behind all is the work of the Holy Spirit, encouraging, instigating and punishing according to GOD's will. Through the Spirit the LORD prepares his troops and leads them to victory.
| Home | Site Index | Bible Index |
| Kingdom Dynamics | Truth in Action | Links |
