Nahum I. Introduction A. Nahum B. Condemnation of Nineveh 1. Nahum as "comfort" 2. Comfort to Judah regarding fate of Nineveh C. Let us consider the book II. Nahum: The Details A. Authorship 1. Final compiler unknown (cf. Nahum 1:1) 2. Material comes from Nahum himself B. Dating 1. Thebes of Egypt destroyed ca. 664 BCE (cf. Nahum 3:8-10) 2. Nineveh itself destroyed ca. 612 BCE 3. Nahum prophesies, therefore, between 664 and 612 BCE 4. Likely written soon afterward C. Audience 1. Judah and Assyria 2. Much we can gain from it D. Purpose 1. To reveal the word of God that came to Nahum 2. To pronounce judgment, destruction on Nineveh III. Nahum: The Story A. The Power of the LORD (Nahum 1) 1. LORD as jealous, avenging God; wrath against adversaries; great in power, just; works in whirlwinds, dries up rivers; mountains, trees wither; mountains and hills melt, earth heaves before Him (Nahum 1:1-6) 2. None can stand before Him in His anger; wrath poured out like fire; LORD as good, stronghold in difficult days, knows those who take refuge in Him; adversaries destroyed, enemies pursued; to plot against the LORD futile, for He makes a complete end (Nahum 1:7-11) 3. Even if enemies are in full strength, they will be cut down; God has afflicted Judah, will do so no longer; yokes and bonds to be broken; command given that gods and idols to be cut off, grave made for enemies; on mountains, feet of him who brings good news: feasts to be kept in Judah, enemy cut off (Nahum 1:12-15) B. Destruction of Nineveh (Nahum 2) 1. Scatterer against them; people to be prepared for war; LORD restoring majesty of Israel after being plundered; soldiers, shields of red, chariots prepared; siege towers set up; river gates opened, palace disturbed; stripped, plundered, wealth removed (Nahum 2:1-9) 2. Desolation; people tremble, are anguished; Nineveh seen as lion who provided in past for cubs; LORD against them, will destroy them, devour young lions, prey cut off, voice no longer heard (Nahum 2:10-13) C. Woe to Assyria (Nahum 3) 1. Woe to city full of lies, no end to prey; horsemen, chariots within city; dead in heaps; all of this because of their prostitution (Nahum 3:1-4) 2. LORD against them, will expose their nakedness, shame to kingdoms; God will treat them with contempt, make them a spectacle; all who see will shrink, seek comforters for Nineveh (Nahum 3:5-7) 3. Comparison to Thebes of Egypt; they had assistance from Cush, Put, Libya; yet she was destroyed, made captive, exiled; thus also to Nineveh-- will go into hiding, seek refuge; fortresses will be shaken and will fall, soldiers as women, gates as wide open to enemies (Nahum 3:8-13) 4. Prepare for siege: water, strengthen forts; fire will destroy them; sword will cut off; they are to multiply, become as locusts and grasshoppers; they will flee, not be found; shepherds of Assyria asleep; no easing of pain; wound grievous; all who hear will rejoice, for evil of Assyria on everyone (Nahum 3:14-19) IV. Nahum: Important Passages A. Nahum 1:15 / Romans 10:15 V. Conclusion A. Thus we have the prophecies of Nahum against Assyria 1. Memory of Assyrian action against Israel, Judah maintained 2. Nineveh, Assyria getting what is due for their iniquity B. A message of condemnation and yet comfort 1. Nineveh, Assyria to fall 2. Yet Judah can feel vindicated-- their enemy no longer will exist! C. Let us learn from the example of Assyria what God does to those who stand against Him! D. Invitation/songbook