Study From the Book of Nahum,1

                                          Study From the Book of Nahum,1

As usual, we begin with introduction before going deeper to pick up biblical principles. The Book of Nahum is an extension of the book of Jonah. It was written around 100 years after the latter book. So if the book of Jonah was written in the 8^th century B.C. The book of Nahum was written on the 7^th B.C around 622 BC, at the time of revival in Jerusalem under the king Josiah.

The Author: The name of Nahum is a Hebrew name carries the meaning of comfort or consolation. It is the short form of Nehemiah which means “the comfort of Yahweh.” The destruction of enemies brings comfort for those who suffer cruelty by their hands.  In this context, the comfort was for those who suffered the cruelty of the Assyrians, Nineveh was their capital.  Not known about the author apart from his small prophecy book who prophesied about Nineveh’s destruction by the hands of the Babylonians. As it was written in the 7^th century B.C, so it should be after the destruction of the Northern kingdom of Israel by the Assyrians in 722 B.C, so we presume he was from Judah. 

Historical context: after the great repentance of Nineveh and its revival because of the preaching of Jonah, and around 100 years later, the city turned to its injustice and cruelty. It was famous for its violence from burning children alive to death of bleeding by chopping hands.

Theology of the Book: it is a theology of goodness of God in bringing  final destruction for those who oppose His will and abuse His people. It is the Lord Jesus in words in Math 26:52 when He says “all who take the sword will perish by the sword.”

Structure: the Book of Nahum can be divided simply into three parts:

1. Chapter 1: the Lord as Nineveh’s judge.
2. Chapter 2: the reasons for His judgment.
3. Chapter 3: the announcement of God’s judgment which is total destruction of the city.