THE BOOK OF NAHUM 

BACKGROUND OF NAHUM 

Nahum (“full of comfort” / “compassionate) is an Old Testament prophet given a vision by God (YHWH) against the mighty nation of Assyria and is called by its capital city… Nineveh.  Nahum announced the destruction of Nineveh which did happen in history in 612 BC.  This message is to one of Israel’s neighbors and bears some hope for the People of God that evil will be overthrown.  It is three chapters full of warnings because the fate of Nineveh is described and deserved. 

NAHUM CHAPTER 1: God is on the Side of His People 

NAHUM CHAPTER 1 

The prophet Nahum begins his oracle (verse 1) by stating very clearly that God rebukes those who rise against Him.  He uses the words “jealous” and “avenging” and “vengeance” and “wrath” in verse 2 which might be served well by summarizing as “zealous.”  Dealing with God is serious business and we should not ever take Him lightly or irreverently.  He is The Holy God of All and none are like Him. 

God does not arrive at anger or wrath lightly or quickly, but rather verse 3 shares that God is slow to anger.  This is not the only passage to state that God’s anger is not quick, but that He is slow to anger (Exodus 34:6, Numbers 14:18, Psalm 86:15, 103:8, 145:8, Joel 2:13, Jonah 4:2).  There are lines that are punished when evil goes rampant.  We often think and teach that grace is boundless, which is true, but repentance must be in the mix for grace to be boundless.   

SIDE NOTE: 

Being “slow to anger” is seen as wise in Proverbs 14:29, 15:18, 16:32, and 19:11. 

Being “slow to anger” is commanded in James 1:19 to the believer in Jesus Christ. 

It is wise and commanded to followers of Christ because it is how God exists.  It is Who He is. 
  

When it comes to the thoughts of boundless grace and the idea that God will indeed punish evil, other passages come to mind: 

Exodus 20:7 & Deuteronomy 5:11 where God punishes those who misuse His Name 

Exodus 34:7 & Numbers 14:18 where God holds the guilty responsible for their sin 

Jeremiah 30:11 & Jeremiah 46:28 & Job 10:14 where God does not leave sin unpunished 

Punishment for sin is real and it is often in this temporal in this life and does even impact the life to come.   

Nahum speaks to Nineveh (Assyria).  So do Jonah, Isaiah, Zephaniah, and Zechariah.  Nahum brings to the attention of Nineveh’s serious spiritual business.  In verses 7-8, he is clear that on one hand, God is a refuge and help for those who trust in Him, but on the other hand, is a flood of trouble for those Who choose darkness.  This is an either-or issue and there is no middle ground (see also Matthew 12:30).   

One of the obvious items in Chapter 1 is that God will be on the side of His people.  He will save them.  He is for them.  God makes it clear that He is on the side of His people and righteousness and there are actions and attitudes that will not be supported.  God’s promises will come true and He will break all shackles and make all things right.  He will relieve oppression where He finds it.  He will relieve the suffering of the people. 

TMB & BMD