Reading the Bible together – Nahum
March 2020
– The book we are reading this month is the book of Nahum, which is the 34th book of the Old Testament.
This will be the 60th book of the Bible we will have read, since commencing this initiative over four years ago in October 2015. (We have actually read Matthew and Joshua twice!) . There are a total of 66 books in the Bible, 39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament. Only 6 more to go and we will have read the whole Bible together!
We will review this month’s book at our Bible Study and Prayer Meeting on Thursday 2nd April 2020.
Introduction to the Book of Nahum
Nahum 1:7 – The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.
Nahum 1:14-15 – And the LORD hath given a commandment concerning thee, that no more of thy name be sown: out of the house of thy gods will I cut off the graven image and the molten image: I will make thy grave; for thou art vile. Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace! O Judah, keep thy solemn feasts, perform thy vows: for the wicked shall no more pass through thee; he is utterly cut off.
A Brief Overview
Bible Survey – Nahum
Hebrew Name – Nachoum “Consulation”
Greek Name – Naoum (Greek form of the Hebrew)
Author – Nahum (According to Tradition)
Date – 713 BC Approximately
Theme – The Destruction of Assyria
Types and Shadows – In Nahum Jesus is the Avenger
Summary of The Book of Nahum
Overview.
- Chapter 1:1-10 – Nahum prophesies about God’s vengeance and judgement.
- Chapter 1:11 to 2:2 – God threatens to Assyria and makes promises to Judah.
- Chapter 2:3-13 – Attack on Nineveh
- Chapter 3:1-19 – Nineveh is sacked.
There is very little known about Nahum, he is called the “Elkoshite” in Nahum 1:1, yet the location of this place is uncertain. Some scholars place it in the Galilee region, and others place it in Judah or Assyria. One belief is that Nahum’s home was Capernaum which means “Village of Nahum”, and that Elkosh was just the place of his birth. In any case Nahum’s message was the final decimation and downfall of Nineveh.
In Nahum 1 God is seen as the one who triumphs over his enemies, regardless of how strong they are. The following chapters speak of the reasons for Nineveh’s impending doom. There are two primary sins that the prophet mentions about Nineveh:
- They had no mercy with all their great strength, they just killed destroyed and plundered with no remorse.
- Their greed and lustful pleasures cause them to be corrupt in all their dealings with the nations.
Nahum’s prophecy is the cry of an oppressed and outraged people of Judah, for all the suffering that the Assyrians bring. The thought of the Assyrian empire coming to an end brought a joyful satisfaction of a punishment that is justly due.
Outline of the Book of Nahum
Nahum 1:1 – Introduction to the prophet Nahum and his “burden”
Nahum 1:2-11 – God’s holy judgement
Nahum 1:12-15 – The fall of Nineveh is proclaimed
Nahum 2:1-12 – The siege and overthrow of Nineveh
Nahum 2:13 – The reason for Nineveh’s destruction
Nahum 3:1-17 – Nineveh was an example of sin reaping God’s judgement
Nahum 3:18-19 – The king of Assyria’s destruction brings great joy
More information can be found HERE
SHORT ILLUSTRATED SUMMARY OF NAHUM
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