Nahum - Introduction

PLUS

NEXT I. The Declaration of Judgment (Nahum 1:1-15)

Introduction

Author

THE AUTHOR OF THE BOOK OF NAHUM is the only person with that name in the Old Testament. Except for the name of his hometown of Elkosh (1:1), nothing certain is known about him.

Background

Nahum’s prophetic book is a declaration of judgment on the Assyrian city of Nineveh, which was located about twenty miles north of the modern Iraqi capital of Baghdad. The Ninevites had responded with repentance when Jonah preached to them many years prior, but by the time of Nahum’s book, their leaders had returned to wickedness.

Two events help determine the earliest and latest possible dates for the composition of Nahum’s writing. The first is the capture and downfall of Thebes in about 663 BC. The second is Nineveh’s ultimate destruction, which occurred in 612 BC. Nahum’s emphasis on the seemingly recent fall of Thebes (3:8) favors a date shortly after 663 BC, during the reign of wicked King Manasseh (686–642 BC) or his evil son Amon (642–640 BC). This likely coincided with the reign of the cruel Assyrian king named Ashurbanipal (ca. 668–627 BC); if so, Assyria was at the height of its power.

Message and Purpose

The book of Nahum is God’s announcement of judgment on the kingdom of Assyria, specifically on its capital city, Nineveh. God had used the Assyrians as the agents of judgment against his people for their rebellion and disobedience: Assyria had destroyed the northern kingdom of Israel and carried the inhabitants into captivity. But through Nahum, God was declaring that the cruel, evil Assyrian Empire would fall, too.

The book also has a second purpose. The prophet wanted to assure God’s people that he would restore them according to his kingdom promises if they would repent and return to him. Though God had allowed Israel’s painful, crushing defeat because of their sin, he would not let his people’s sins cancel out his promises.

Nahum’s name means “to console” or “consolation.” And through this prophet, God was consoling his people in the midst of their painful judgment and also letting Nineveh know that he would not ignore their evil. Nahum informs us that God is loving, yet he is also just. We must not allow one aspect of his character to cancel out the other in our minds.

VIDEO INTRO

Outline