Nahum - Introduction

INTRODUCTION

Nothing is known of Nahum beyond what is written in this book. Nahum’s main message was that JUDGMENT was soon to fall on Nineveh, the capital of Assyria. Assyria had been God’s agent of judgment on Israel (the northern kingdom) and now the time had come for God to judge Assyria because of its own idolatry, wickedness and cruelty.

Nineveh (representing Assyria) was destroyed in 612 B.C., over a hundred years after Assyria destroyed Israel. Nahum prophesied some years before Nineveh’s destruction. His words are directed mainly to the Assyrians. In the first chapter he pronounces judgment on Nineveh, and then in the next two chapters he describes in detail how that judgment is to be executed. Archeological and historical evidence has confirmed the accuracy of Nahum’s PROPHECY.¹

In Nahum’s time, Assyria was the greatest power on earth; that it could be destroyed so quickly was beyond anyone’s belief. But Nahum, inspired by God, did believe it; and his little book shows us once again that godless and wicked nations cannot last. Only those people who trust in God and obey His commands will endure and ultimately prevail.