Lecture 16; Nahum
Download as PPT, PDF0 likes64 views
Nahum prophesied the destruction of Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, between 663-612 BC. [1] Nahum focused on delivering God's message of judgment against Nineveh for their cruelty and arrogance in thinking their power was their own rather than from God. [2] Nahum's prophecies were fulfilled when Nineveh was destroyed in 612 BC, ending Assyria's oppression of Judah and demonstrating God's faithfulness to protect His people. [3] The book highlights God's sovereignty, power as a divine warrior, and role as righteous judge against those who act against Him or mistreat His people.
Lecture 16; Nahum
- 1. OLD TESTAMENT PROPHETIC BOOKS; Theology and their Legacy
- 2. Book of Nahum The Minor Prophets
- 3. The Grace and Justice of God- Nahum
- 4. Nahum: The Sequel to Jonah
- 5. Author Nahum, the name means "comfort" and is related to the name Nehemiah, meaning "The Lord comforts" or "comfort of the Lord." Date In 3:8-10 the author speaks of the fall of Thebes, which happened in 663 b.c., as already past. In all three chapters Nahum prophesied Nineveh's fall, which was fulfilled in 612. Nahum therefore uttered this oracle between 663 and 612 , most scholars say its 660 BC
- 6. Contrasting Jonah & Nahum 626 JONAH NAHUM First Book (4 chapters) Sequel (3 chapters) about 760 BC about 660 BC Repentance from Sin Return to Sin Nineveh Delivered Nineveh Destroyed Israel Responsible Israel Protected Chance to Repent No Chance to Repent Narrative Declarative
- 7. JONAH NAHUM Focus on the Messenger Focus on the Message Prophet Disobeys Prophet Obeys Nineveh Obeys Nineveh Disobeys Deliverance from Water Destruction by Water Repented then Relented No Repenting, No Relenting Jonah's Wrath Refused Jonah's Wrath Revisited God's Compassion God's Judgment Contrasting Jonah & Nahum
- 8. Babylonian Empire Battle of Carchemish (609 BC) Megiddo: Josiah dies Egyptians Arabia
- 9. • Nothing is known about Nahum except his being an Elkoshite (1:1). Authorship
- 10. The message concerned Nineveh, but no record exists of it reaching this empire. It was Judah that needed to know how God would judge the nation that persecuted them. • Contemporaries: Jeremiah, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah • Assyria conquered Israel about 60 years before (722 BC). • Now God purposed to visit the former rod of His anger. • Despite repenting under Jonah, Nineveh was ready for judgment due to her cruelty in war and greed. • The power that had ruled western Asia for some three centuries was now to be broken by the combined might of the Babylonians and the Medes. 622 Recipients Historical Background
- 11. Nahum's Prophecies Happened Nahum's Prophecies Historical Fulfillments 1:8 Nineveh would be destroyed by a flood (2:6, 8) Nineveh was weakened by an unusually heavy & long flood of the Tigris. This carried away a great section of the huge rampart that surrounded the city and permitted the enemy to force their way in to capture the city. 1:9,14 Nineveh's destruction would be final It was fulfilled in Assyria's utter destruction & her inability to afflict Israel a 2nd time. 1:10 In the final hours of the attack the Ninevites would be drunk (3:11) After the Assyrians had repulsed the enemy's attack, they got drunk and feasted, and as a result were surprised by the Medes and the city was taken. 1:11-12 "From you, O Nineveh, has one come forth who plots evil against the Lord and counsels wickedness…" Sennacherib made arrogant threats in 701 BC against Judah and Jerusalem (cf. 2 Kings 18–19). 1:13 "Now I will break their yoke from your neck and tear your shackles away." Judah's service to Assyria ended at Nineveh's demise (2 Kings 18:14; 2 Chron. 33:11). Hobart E. Freeman, An Introduction to the Old Testament Prophets (Chicago: Moody Press, 1977).
- 12. Book Chart Nahum: Nineveh's Destruction Certain Detailed Justified Nahum 1 Nahum 2 Nahum 3 Destruction Decreed Destruction Described Destruction Deserved Verdict of Vengeance Vision of Vengeance Vindication of Vengeance What God Will Do How God Will Do It Why God Will Do It God's Anger God's Actions God's Accusations God's Predictions for Judah God's Power for Judah God's Justice for Judah Title 1:1 God's Attributes 1:2-8 Plotting Against God 1:9-11 Destruction is Judah's Deliverance 1:12-15 Battling vs. Judah's Splendor 2:1-2 Destruction & Despoiling 2:3-13 Destruction for Cruelty 3:1-7 Drunk When Destroye d 3:3-11 Burned With Fire 3:12-19 In Judah Against Assyria's Capital, Nineveh c. 660 BC
- 13. God as Sovereign King Nahum pictured God as the sovereign ruler of the universe who controls both nature and nations, judging them and using them as instruments of judgment in accordance with His will. Not even mighty Assyria, the most powerful nation on earth in Nahum's day, could withstand the LORD's judgment. The LORD would also destroy Nineveh's idols (1:14), showing His sovereignty over the Assyrian gods. Theology of Nahum
- 14. Nahum sees the Lord as divine Warrior par excellence. The book begins with a terrifying portrayal of the angry, avenging warrior in a storm frightening all of nature with His battle cry (1:2-6). In this opening theophany, Nahum employed many of the same motifs used by Assyrian kings to describe their prowess and exploits in battle. This emphasized that the LORD, not Assyria's king, was the most powerful warrior. The "LORD Almighty," or "LORD of Armies," personally announced He would defeat Nineveh (2:13; 3:5). Theology of Nahum God as Warrior
- 15. God as Judge Assyria's judgment was well deserved. She had exploited and cruelly treated other nations (cf. 3:1, 4), including God's own people (1:15). Although the Lord had used the Assyrians as an instrument to punish Judah (1:12-13), they attributed it to their own power (cf. Isa. 10:5-19; 36:4-21). God saw this arrogance as an evil plot against His sovereign authority (1:9, 11), so he announced He would destroy the rebellious Assyrians, avenging His oppressed covenant people in the process. Theology & Application
- 16. God as Israel's Protector God's judgment of Nineveh would be an expression of His zealous devotion to His covenant people (cf. 1:2). Though God had used the Assyrians to chastise Judah, He announced through Nahum that the Assyrian oppression was about to end (1:13, 15). In delivering Judah from the Assyrian yoke, He would once again demonstrate His goodness to His people and prove that He does indeed take notice of those who are loyal to Him and trust Him for protection (1:7). Application Do not mistake the patience of God as the impotence of God ––Huang Sabin Theology & Application
- 17. Nahum … our God reigns! • Nineveh is no more … • Assyria is no more … • kingdoms rise and fall … • empires come and go … BUT
- 18. Nahum … our God reigns! take-home message … our God goes on, for ever and ever!
- 19. Conclusion • God is protective for those who obey Him • But those who act against Him, He will destroy • We should take note and obey • No one is too great or powerful for God to destroy – And one day all will stand before God and be judged (Heb 9:27) – It is certain, and cannot be changed • Will you be ready?