Nepaug Bible Church - http://www.nepaugchurch.org - Pastor's Evening Sermon Notes - http://www.nepaugchurch.org/ev/ev20091101.htm

THRU THE BIBLE EXPOSITION
Nahum: God's Comforting Judgment On His People's Cruel Foes
Part I: Comfort In Facing Cruel Foes By Focusing On God's Attributes
(Nahum 1:1-8)
  1. Introduction
    1. In our era of terrorism, growing crime or even increased abuse in relationships that 2 Timothy 3:1-5 predicted would occur in the latter days, people need direction and comfort in facing difficult, cruel foes.
    2. Nahum 1:1-8 focuses the reader on the attributes of God that address such a problem even today:
  2. Comfort In Facing Cruel Foes By Focusing On God's Attributes, Nahum 1:1-8.
    1. The prophecy of Nahum is set against the backdrop of fear in Judah of the heartless Assyrians of Nineveh:
      1. Though the prophet, Jonah was led of God to evangelize the Assyrian city of Nineveh 100 years before Nahum's time, the city had failed to retain its reverence for God, and had "reverted to their cruel and heathen practices," Ryrie Study Bible, KJV, 1978 ed., p. 1292, "Introduction To The Book of Nahum."
      2. They had also destroyed the Northern Kingdom of Israel in 722 B. C. and nearly captured the Southern Kingdom of Judah's capital city, Jerusalem in 701 B. C., subjecting the nation to tribute during the reign of Manasseh in Judah, Ibid.; Bible Knowledge Commentary, Old Testament, p. 1496.
      3. Thus, Judah was worried about the threat of invasion of this Assyrian force, Ibid.
    2. Accordingly, God responded to this situation with the prophecy of Nahum, providing comfort for His people and justice for the wicked, cruel Assyrians, Ibid.:
      1. "Nahum" in Hebrew means "consolation," typifying comfort for God's people in Judah, Ibid., Ryrie.
      2. Thus, "the purpose of Nahum's book is to announce the fall of Nineveh and thereby comfort Judah with the assurance that God is in control," Ibid., Bible Know. Com., O. T.
    3. In presenting this divine direction and comfort for His people, God led the prophet, Nahum to begin his oracle with a focus on His DIVINE ATTRIBUTES that minister solutions for Judah's fears, Nah. 1:1-8:
      1. The prophet, Nahum of Elkosh (most likely in southern Judah, Ibid., p. 1493) noted that God is jealous of what belongs to Him, namely, His people in Judah, and that He takes vengeance in their behalf when they are even threatened by cruel foes, Nahum 1:1-2; Ibid., p. 1497.
      2. The apparent delay in God's dealing with Assyria from the worried view of His people in Judah was due to God's slowness to anger, that He was not wanting to rush to judgment with Nineveh, 1:3a; Ibid.
      3. Nevertheless, that delay did not mean God was powerless to handle the Assyrian threat, for God had His way in nature as dramatically described in Nahum 1:3b-5.
      4. Indeed, Nahum asks rhetorical questions in Nahum 1:6 that require a negative answer to show that no party, including the people of Nineveh, could stand before Judah's God when He was angry at their sin!
      5. For this reason, the people of Judah could look to God as wholesome to those who trust in Him, that He is a military Stronghold (maoz as used in Psalm 37:39 et al.) in the day of Judah's trouble, for He acknowledges with the implication that He cares for those who trust in Him, Nah. 1:7; Ibid., p. 1498.
      6. However, Nahum claimed God would make a complete end "of her place" [in speaking of Nineveh], and that with an overflowing flood, and would pursue her into darkness, Nahum 1:8 ESV. In view of a later prophecy in Nahum 2:6, 8, this is exactly what eventually happened to the city of Nineveh:
        1. Both Nahum 1:8 and Nahum 2:6, 8 indicate Nineveh would be destroyed by a flood.
        2. Accordingly, Diodorus Siculus (ca. 20 B. C.) wrote that in the third year of Nineveh's siege, "heavy rains caused a nearby river to flood part of the city and break part of the walls (Bibliotheca Historica 2. 26. 9; 2. 27. 13). Xenophon referred to terrifying thunder (presumably with a storm) associated with the city's capture (Anabasis, 3. 4. 12). Also, the Khosr River, entering the city from the northwest at the Ninlil Gate and running through the city in a southwesterly direction, may have flooded because of heavy rains, or the enemy may have destroyed its sluice gate." (Ibid., p. 1495)
Lesson: Though God was a God of GRACE and PATIENCE with Nineveh, her return to cruel evil that threatened Judah was intolerable to an ALMIGHTY God Who was also RIGHTEOUS and FAITHFUL to His own people, so Judah was to be COMFORTED in knowing God would destroy her foe, Nineveh!

Application: If facing cruel foes, may we trust in the God of Judah Who has these wonderful attributes!