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The Book of Nahum
Chapter 1

The Justice and Goodness of God

The little Book of Nahum is a VERY remarkable prophecy. The prophet has just one theme, the judgment of Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian Empire, but my friend . . . it also has a message for us today.

Nahum 1:1 The burden of Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite. (KJV)

The burden of Nineveh . . . 'burden' means judgment (Isa.13:1; Hab.1:1; Zec.9:1; 12:1; Mal.1:1).

Jonah had brought a message to Nineveh which revealed the love of God, but here, the message of the Book of Nahum reveals the justice of God . . . and the two go hand in hand! Although God loves a nation, He WILL judge a nation! He is still love (1 John 4:8;16), and He still loves! That is fact! You cannot escape that.

SO, WHAT makes the judgment of God so fearful? It is the fact that God does NOT do it as an insensitive, ill-natured Person. He does NOT judge in a vindictive manner . . . ever. He does not do it in a spirit of revenge or of trying to get even with us. He does NOT judge because He became angry in a sudden emotional outburst . . . like we do!

God judges because He is just and truthful! He still loves, but He is just. And because He is just in ALL His dealings, He must deal with sin even in the lives of those whom He loves, because He HATES sin, and says that He WILL punish sin.

God loved Nineveh . . . that's what He told Jonah. Jonah hated that violent and cruel nation. Jonah wanted the city destroyed, but God said no! (Jonah 4:11). God had spared Nineveh, but now judgment is going to fall upon this great city. THAT was Nahum's message. Jonah, almost a 150 years before, had brought a message from God, and Nineveh had repented. BUT their repentance was did not last long, like SO many today! God patiently gave the new generation an opportunity to repent (Na.1:3).

But because of their stubborn and rebellious actions, God's grace had ended. Doom shall take its place! Nahum 3:19 There is no healing of thy bruise; thy wound is grievous: all that hear the bruit of thee shall clap the hands over thee: for upon whom hath not thy wickedness passed continually? (KJV) . . . In plain words, Nineveh has come to a place where there is NO healing for her people.

What about the USA? What about YOU? I really do believe that for a nation and for an individual it is possible to CONTINUE in sin (1 John 3:9) until you cross over a line of NO return. I don't know where that is, and I don't know when this takes place, but I strongly feel that this CAN happen. When a person or a nation, passes over that specific place, the grace of God can reach you no longer! The reason that you cannot reach God is quite simple . . . you have become so hardened and in a state of unbelief.

I don't know about you, but some of the things happening today, can be discouraging. I am sure that many of God's people are disturbed today. There has been a growing interest in prophecy . . . BUT . . . the more ridiculous the prophetic teachers are, the more popular they seem to be. They are coming up with all kinds of STUPID interpretations.

WHY??? Because God's people are growing farther and farther away from God. Most are ignorant of God's Word, and are desperately reaching out to these "wolves in sheep's clothing" (Mat.7:15). Because of the things of nature which are happening today, people are scared. Luke 21:26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. (KJV)

We are seeing this today. BUT . . . we must remember that God is still in FULL control of this world. It is still going exactly as He has planned! God is carrying out His plan and purpose, and He is judging the sin of man. This should be very comforting to every TRUE child of God today . . . and a terror to the wicked. God will one day destroy ALL godless nations.

Where is the United States today, in God's eyes? We are on the way down, and going faster day by day. America was once a nation "under God," but today we are headed for the bottom of the mountain . . . FAST. I certainly am NOT a prophet, far from it. I am simply a servant of my Lord Jesus, who has a burden for lost souls and very concerned about the nation that I love. With all the sin that this country is tolerating and encouraging, it will not be long that we will be at the bottom and the point of no return! We are like a snowball rolling down the mountain.

The reason that the Book of Nahum is so remarkable, is that it speaks to us today. Stay close to God, my friend.

Nahum 1:2 God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies. (KJV)

Jealous = fearful or wary of being supplanted; fear of losing affection or position, resentful or bitter in rivalry; envious, intolerant of rivalry or unfaithfulness, hostile to a rival.

God is a jealous God, and He DEMANDS that His people worship Him alone. When any people, no matter who they are, turn to idolatry or turn to sin (all that which is contrary to God), and when they give themselves to it, God is jealous. Exodus 20:3-6 Thou shalt have no other gods before me. 4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: 5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; 6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. (KJV)

What does Jesus say? Matthew 22:37-38 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. (KJV) . . . ALL thy heart, ALL thy soul, ALL thy mind! God IS a jealous God!

God is jealous . . . His love is fervent for His people, and His displeasure is fiery hot against His and His peoples' enemies. God will NOT tolerate ANY idolatries. He will NOT bear sin and violence against Himself, nor any cruelties and rage against His people. God is jealous for His people's good, and for His own glory, He will appear and act: (Isa. 42:13; Eze. 39:25; Zec. 1:14; 8:2).

The Lord revengeth . . . Jehovah is the everlasting and unchangeable God, always the same towards His people. He is the supreme Ruler, and He is bound to right the oppressed, and to punish the oppressor. Vengeance is the Lord's, and He will repay (Rom.12:19). The Lord revengeth . . . it is repeated to confirm the truth, and to affect the wicked with terror, to awaken them to a timely repentance; and to affect God's people with joy and hope, that they may wait on Him until they see the vengeance from God.

Is furious . . . the Lord God is the Master of fury; NOT like furious men, who cannot control their anger, but grow suddenly furious, and pour it out upon whosoever! God threatens His enemies and comforts His friends. He is as much Lord of His anger, as He is Lord of His power and wisdom . . . and He shall execute His displeasure at just the right time.

Will take vengeance . . . ONLY when it is the right moment, but, He will most certainly do it.

He reserveth wrath . . . this really does explain "Lord of fury." God restrains and keeps in His own anger, which grows greater and greater with each additional sin of His enemies, and with the sufferings of His people. But, do NOT be fooled; He shall punish sin!

In verse 3 Nahum puts down a great principle by which God not only judged Assyria (and Nineveh, the capital, in particular), but also the way that God judges the world and shall judge the world in the future.

Nahum 1:3 The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet. (KJV)

The Lord is slow to anger . . . He is NOT slack, as some count slackness (2 Pet. 3:9), either in performing a Promise, or executing threats; but very wisely patient and long-suffering, which is always tempered with great mercy, and both are joined together in His providence and in His Word (Ex. 34:6; Num. 14:18; Neh. 9:17; Ps. 103:8; 145:8; Joel 2:13; Jonah 4:2).

Anger . . . is displeasure conceived and revealed. The Lord does not entertain resentments of displeasure, nor make sinners feel them. God has given the sinful Ninevites sufficient time to repent. But, His slowed anger will feel heavier when it eventually does fall on them.

Great in power . . . God is able at ALL times to save OR to destroy. God is most mighty in power, which restrains the rage of enemies, and defends and supports His oppressed ones. In but a moment can destroy those that well deserve His wrath, even though they do NOT fear His anger. That the Assyrians are not yet destroyed is proof of His patience, not of His impotence!

And will not all acquit the wicked . . . are the incorrigible, hardened, and persisting sinners. This is said to awaken the secure kingdom, in which many were scoffers (2 Pet. 3:4), ready to say, "All things do continue as they were, there will be no change, no judgment against the wicked."

There are SO many today that really do think that they can get by with their sin. But Nahum is quite clear here! God will not all acquit the wicked . . . not then, not today! A person may get by with their sin or crime here in this world . . . BUT . . . God keeps records my friend! He KNOWS what evil the wicked have done! They shall receive the exact judgment that they deserve! Count on it!

Nahum assures Judah (and us), that as there is great power with God, and He shall exact justice and correct verdicts when He judges. NO guilty ones shall be pronounced innocent by sentence of judgment, nor shall they escape as if innocent. There shall be NO place to hide from God on Judgment Day! Sooner or later, in due season the wickedness OR righteousness of all people shall be upon them. There shall never be a wrong judgment! I LOVE this! There shall be NO wrong decisions on Judgment Day!!!

Psalm 33:5 He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD. (KJV)
Psalm 37:28 For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off. (KJV)
Psalm 62:12 Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy: for thou renderest to every man according to his work. (KJV)
Psalm 98:9 Before the LORD; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity. (KJV)
Psalm 119:137 Righteous art thou, O LORD, and upright are thy judgments. (KJV)
Isaiah 11:4 But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. (KJV)
Romans 3:26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. (KJV) . . . Do you believe in Jesus? Only Jesus can justify you! (Rom.3:24; 5:1).

The Lord hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm . . . whirlwinds and storms are some of the the effects of His power. In them, God can either punish and destroy . . . OR defend His people from being injured by their violence. The pestilential wind which slew 185,000 of the Assyrians did not injure one Israelite (2 Kings 19:35).

In the whirlwind . . . a tornado or cyclone can rise up suddenly with great violence, destroying all things that stand in its way. NO human can prevent, or calm these incidents which bring terror and destruction (Job 27:20; Isa. 17:13; 29:6; Am. 1:14). It shall be so with the destruction from the mighty and just displeasure of God that comes upon His adversaries, and on the Ninevites and Assyrians. They shall fall before His whirlwind and tempest; just as will all impenitent sinners perish (Pro. 1:27).

The clouds are the dust of his feet . . . this pictures a chariot and horses going with great speed, surrounded in a cloud of dust. So too, is God represented as coming through the heavens as rapidly as lightning; the clouds surrounding Him as the dust does the chariot and horses.

Nahum 1:4 He rebuketh the sea, and maketh it dry, and drieth up all the rivers: Bashan languisheth, and Carmel, and the flower of Lebanon languisheth. (KJV)

He rebuketh the sea, and maketh it dry . . . the Red Sea and the rivers: probably referring to the passages of the Red Sea and Jordan (Ex.14:21-31; Josh.3:14-17).

And drieth up all the rivers . . . the Jordan River saw or heard the rebuke of our God, and fled, or was driven back (Josh. 3:14-17; Ps. 114:3). My friend, what God once did to the Red Sea and the Jordan River, He can do on ANY or ALL other rivers.

Bashan . . . was east of Jordan, was the kingdom of Og; it was famous for oaks (Eze. 27:6); for bulls also (Ps. 22:12), and rains (Deut. 32:14); and was given to the half tribe of Manasseh.

Languisheth . . . grows barren, is no longer able to feed the cattle. Nahum says that a drought is to come.

Carmel . . . a very fruitful mountain, either in the confines of Zebulun and Asher northward (Josh. 12:22), where Elijah by fire from Heaven contended with and convicted the Baalites; or maybe this Carmel might be that where Nabal dwelt (1 Sam. 25:2), famous for its rich pastures; this was more southward than the other, and not far from Hebron.

The flower . . . is whatever flourished and was beautiful, trees, their blossoms, and the flowers which were the glory of it.

Lebanon . . . a mountain that runs from the coast of the Phoenician Sea westward, for one hundred and twenty-five miles eastward; is the north boundary of Judea, famous for its fruitfulness, as for its height.

The description of the coming of Jehovah in Nahum 1:3-6 is quite majestic. He is represented as controlling universal nature. The sea and the rivers are dried up, the mountains tremble, the hills melt, and the earth is burnt at His Presence. Bashan, Carmel, and Lebanon are withered and languish. Streams of fire are poured out of volcanoes, and the rocks are cast down to make Him a passage way. If the seas, the rivers, the mountains, the hills, the rocks and the earth itself, fail before Jehovah, or flee from His Presence, HOW shall Nineveh and the Assyrian empire stand before Him?

Nahum 1:5 The mountains quake at him, and the hills melt, and the earth is burned at his presence, yea, the world, and all that dwell therein. (KJV)

Almighty God is the Creator! He is also the Preserver of this Universe. My friend, God is the One who holds it all together.

The mountains quake at him, and the hills melt . . . this refers to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. You can hold Him responsible for any natural disaster that takes place, for all the droughts, floods and the earthquakes that come. He alone is in control!

The mountains shake when God is there. The hills can actually change their shape! The Earth becomes as nothing in front of Him. The power of God is very difficult to explain. He can do whatsoever He chooses to do! There is NO end to His power and wisdom.

And the earth is burnt at his presence . . . this could mean either when God withholds rain from it, and so it be comes parched and burnt up with the heat of the sun; or when he rains fire and brimstone on it, as He did on Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen.19); or consume any part of it with thunder and lightning, as He sometimes does (Ps.104:32). Lightning causes many forest fires.

Yea, the world, and all that dwell therein . . . as in the last day, when the world, and all the wicked inhabitants of it, will be burnt up (2 Pet.3:10).

Nahum 1:6 Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him. (KJV)

Nahum describes the power and the anger of God, NOT to cause fear to the people of Judah, but to reassure them of the protection of their all-powerful God when Assyria would invade their land.

Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? . . . This question was directed to the people of Nineveh who had rejected the mercy of the all-powerful Creator God. Do you know the answer?

I'd like to ask you, "Are you a child of God?" (John 1:12-13; 3:3-8). Millions depend on their own righteousness and goodness and wisdom. Do you really think that you can stand in the Presence of the Holy God who absolutely hates sin and intends to judge it? Are you able to stand in His Holy Presence?

Who can stand before his indignation? . . . If you do not have the Saviour, you CANNOT stand as a sinner in the Presence of the Holy God! NO way! To be able to stand in the Presence of the Almighty Father, means to be accepted into the family of God, and to be in Christ. My friend, no matter what you have believed in the past, I am here to tell you that you CANNOT stand in God's Presence without Christ Jesus! (John 14:6; Acts 4:12).

What a tremendous principle that Nahum is putting down here. God shall and must judge sin, because He says He will. IF He did not judge sin, He would be a liar . . . and He is NOT a liar! (Tit.1:2).

His fury is poured out like fire . . . the fury of God = great anger, rage, ferocity, vehemence, intense wrath. His fury is like the liquid fire (lava) which spews forcefully out of volcanoes in all directions (Jer. 7:20).

Rocks are thrown down . . . or become, "a burnt mountain"; the usual effect of volcanic fire (Jer. 51:25-56). Also see; Deut 4:11; 5:23; Jdg.5:5; Ps. 97:5; 104:32; 144:5; Isa. 34:9-10; 64:1-3; Mic. 1:4. Man has learned that he cannot stand up against nature (GOD).

Nahum 1:7 The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him. (KJV)

The Lord is good . . . (Ps. 107:1-2). AMEN! Let us always keep this in mind and say so! "Let the redeemed of the Lord say so..." If the redeemed do not say so, no one will! God is good. God is SO good, my friend. God loves you and He wants to save you. If you are not saved, it is simply because you will not come to Him, for He can save you and He will save you. God is good!

A strong hold in the day of trouble . . . ANY trouble! Do you want to have a good shelter for protection? The Lord is that shelter which you need.

And he knoweth them that trust in him . . . God does not need a computer to record your name. He knows ALL those who have trusted Him. What a comfort! Nahum comforts those then, and too he comforts us with the same words! Believe those words!

Nahum continues on his special subject, which is to assure and console his people of safety in Jehovah when the impending attack of Sennacherib comes. And he also announces the utter doom of Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian foe. The contrast of verses 7 & 8 heightens the force.

He knoweth . . . God knows and recognizes ALL those who are His own (Hos.13:5; Am. 3:2). Because of this, He cares for and guards them (Ps. 1:6; 2 Tim. 2:19).

Nahum 1:8 But with an overrunning flood he will make an utter end of the place thereof, and darkness shall pursue his enemies. (KJV)

God shall overwhelm and destroy the Assyrians. "An overrunning flood" pictures a river that is overflowing its banks and causing devastation as it moves. Some believe that this refers to the invading army of the Babylonians which overtook Nineveh. The Greek historian Ctesias of the fifth century B.C. records that the Babylonian army was able to invade Nineveh when the Tigris River suddenly overflowed and washed away the floodgates of the city and the foundations of the palace. If that is so, then the overrunning flood was both God causing the river to overflow and the army.

Darkness shall pursue his enemies . . . this phrase makes me wonder about Hell, the place of eternal punishment. There is much said in the Bible about DARKNESS of Hell being the lot of the lost, maybe more than there is said about FIRE of Hell. Darkness is mentioned here . . . "and darkness shall pursue his enemies." The Lord Jesus also used the term: "But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth" (Mat. 8:12; 22:13).

Literal fire could only affect the physical, NEVER the spiritual. BUT, the fire of a tormented conscience that finally realizes the awful thing it did in rejecting Christ, and not doing the things that should have been done . . . that fire of rememberance can be eternal (Luke 16:19-31).

Think of the darkness of an eternity in Hell! The Bible tells us of the darkness of Hell: Mat.8:12; 22:13; 25:30; 2 Pet.2:4,17; Jude 1:6,13). The Bible does not say anything about darkess in Heaven, because there is none! And in fact, it is so light there that no candle or sun is needed: "And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever." Rev. 22:5

What could possibly be worth eternity in Hell? No wonder Jesus Christ warned so much about Hell! No wonder Jesus said: Mark 8:36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? (KJV)

My friend, with Christ in Heaven . . . there shall be NO need of the sun or moon to lighten, because God the Father and Jesus, His Son the Lamb will be there! Rev. 21:23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. (KJV)

Think of not being able to see where you are going at all. Darkness, to me, is a better and more scary description of Hell than fire is. Personally, I think of this Scripture when I think of Hell: 2 Thes.1:8-9 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; (KJV) . . . To me, the "flaming fire" is very possibly God's wrath on Judgment Day, against all who reject His only begotten Son as Saviour of the world. Do you see what this says? "They shall be banished from the Presence of the Lord and from His glorious majesty." To me, THAT would be Hell! THAT would be darkness . . . being separated from God and all that is good. God is NOT darkness! In Him, there is NO darkness at all, for God is LIGHT! (1 John 1:5). To me, to be separated from God would be HELL!

WHERE would you rather be? Hell, with Satan and all evil, where there is NO light! Or Heaven, with God the Father and His Son Jesus, where there is NO darkness?

God's Decision To Destroy Nineveh, Nahum 1:9-15

Nahum 1:9 What do ye imagine against the LORD? he will make an utter end: affliction shall not rise up the second time. (KJV)

What do ye imagine against the Lord? . . . Nahum puts this question directly to the Assyrian invaders. What he really is asking is: "HOW are you going to cope with such a God as Israel has?"

He will make an utter end . . . the Assyrian power will be completely destroyed. The complete overthrow of Sennacherib's army, is soon to take place, and is simply just a down payment of the "utter end" of Nineveh itself. Read Isaiah 37 for the historical account.

Affliction shall not rise up the second time . . . Nahum says that Nineveh will NOT be given a second chance. They have had their last chance. They have crossed over that line of no more mercy, no more repentance, because of their rejection of God. God has had it with Ninevah! They thought that they would have an easy victory; but instead they would have to encounter God, the protector of His people. See: Isa. 37:23-29; Ps. 1:1.

Nahum 1:10 For while they be folden together as thorns, and while they are drunken as drunkards, they shall be devoured as stubble fully dry. (KJV)

For while they are folden together as thorns . . . probably means the Assyrian army, which presented such a united front that they seemed like tangled thorns that were impossible to break through.

While they are drunken as drunkards, they shall be devoured as stubble fully dry . . . God would completely destroy them. The fulfillment of this is recorded in Isaiah 37:36-37. God's judgment DID fall on Ninevah!

I would like to advise you to make your decision for Christ, if you have not already done so. Millions today play around with technology and intellectualism, others with alcohol, drugs and sex. Nahum has some words here that you should pay attention to. The day will come when you will stumble around like a drunk, and a drunk cannot make a decision. Nahum said that Nineveh had reached the place where they could make no decision.

The point Nahum is making is that God is just and God is good when He judges a nation or an individual. God is still the God of love. He loves the lost. He is good and loving and merciful, as the apostle John tells us: 1 John 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. (KJV)

ALL men are lost because they are sinners (Rom.3:10,23). We are saved ONLY when we accept the ONE and ONLY offer of salvation that God extends to us (John 3:15-18,36; 5:24; 8:24; 14:6; Acts 4:12; 1 John 5:11-13). Accepting God's Offer is the ONLY way we can ever have peace with God . . . now and eternally (Rom.3:24-26; 5:1).

Nahum says that God shall judge Nineveh, and that God is just and righteous in doing it. God is love (1 John 4:8-10,16), and His judgment is actually an act of His love. That is very difficult for us to understand, but it is absolutely true.

Nahum 1:11 There is one come out of thee, that imagineth evil against the LORD, a wicked counsellor. (KJV)

WHAT was the cause of Nineveh's overthrow? It was "a wicked counsellor," Sennacherib . . . and his evil and malicious plots against Judah.

Imagineth evil . . . Sennacherib carried out the imaginations of his countrymen (Na. 1:9) against the Lord and His people (2 Kings 19:22-23). Some who imagineth evil against the Lord were: Shallum (2 Kings 15:10), Tiglathpileser (2 Kings 15:29); Shalmaneser (2 Kings 17:3-6); Sennacherib, 2 Kings 18:13-17).

Nahum says that Assyria had come up against Judah as their enemy, and Assyria's capital city was Nineveh. The "wicked counsellor" was Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, and the invasion by Sennacherib is recorded three times in Scripture: 2 Kings 18 &19; 2 Chron.32; and Isaiah 36 & 37. When God repeats something three times, we should pay attention! Once should be enough; twice, means that it is very important, but when He repeats something three times, PAY ATTENTION!

Nahum 1:12 Thus saith the LORD; Though they be quiet, and likewise many, yet thus shall they be cut down, when he shall pass through. Though I have afflicted thee, I will afflict thee no more. (KJV)

Though they be - - - - many . . . Sennacherib invaded Judea with an army of nearly 200,000.

Yet, thus shall they be cut down . . . the angel of the Lord (a suffocating wind?) slew of the army in one night 185,000 (2 Kings 19:35).

Pass through . . . means in a destroying power (Ex. 12:12,23; 2 Kings 21:6; 23:10; Isa. 8:8; 28:18; Eze.5:17; 14:15; Dan.11:10).

Though I have afflicted thee . . . meaning Judah.

I will afflict thee no more . . . (Isa. 40:1-2; 52:1-2). There is a huge contrast between "they," the Assyrians, and "thee," Judah. Assyria's punishment is fatal and final. Judah's was disciplinary and fleeting.

So, what is God saying here? The same truths as in Na 1:9-11! The One and Only, Almighty Jehovah God, here is the speaker. He speaks to Judah, prophesying GOOD to it, and EVIL to the Assyrian.

So, what can we learn from Nahum, AND other places in God's Word?
Psalm 5:5 The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity. (KJV)
Psalm 1:6 For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish. (KJV)
Psalm 11:5 The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth. (KJV)
Proverbs 29:16 When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall. (KJV)
Malachi 3:18 Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not. (KJV)
Matthew 25:33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. (KJV)
John 5:29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. (KJV)
1 Peter 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. (KJV)
Revelation 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (KJV)
Revelation 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. (KJV)
Revelation 21:27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life. (KJV)
Revelation 22:15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. (KJV)
Something else to consider: The "wicked" shall be banished from God: Ps.11:6; Isa.66:24; Mat.7:23; 8:12; 13:50; 22:13; 25:46; 2 Thes.1:8-9.

Nahum 1:13 For now will I break his yoke from off thee, and will burst thy bonds in sunder. (KJV)

For now will I break his yoke . . . the Assyrian's yoke, namely, the tax imposed by Sennacherib on Hezekiah (2 Kings 18:14).

From off thee . . . meaning Judah would be relieved of their burden (Isa. 10:27).

This seemed impossible when Nahum wrote this, because Assyria was to continue for quite a while yet. But God promised that it would happen.

Always remember that our clock and God's clock are NOT the same! Psalm 90:4 For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night. (KJV) . . . 1000 years to God is like a second to us!
2 Peter 3:8-9 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (KJV) . . . Just as God was good and loving and merciful in the days of old . . . so He is today! He does NOT wish anyone to perish in Hell. He gives more time so that people will believe Him (1 John 5;11-13) and accept His Son to save them from Hell (John 3:16-18,36; 8:24).

Nahum 1:14 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. (KJV)

No more of thy name be sown . . . God, through Nahum speaks to the Assyrians. God tells them that they will no longer have descendants to carry on their name. They would have no son and heir to succeed them.

Out of the house of thy gods will I cut off the graven image and the molten image . . . called "the house of Nisroch his god" (2 Kings 19:36-37); where Sennacherib's sons killed him. Some say that after that it ceased to be a place of worship, for it was polluted with his blood.

Nahum says that Sennacherib's empire would be destroyed, and his capital taken, the temple where he worshipped would be defaced, and all the gods he glorified, all his images, both graven and molten, would be cut to pieces, falling into the conqueror's hands, as was usual in such cases . . . since these 'gods' would not be able to defend him or secure him from the vengeance of God, whom he had blasphemed. BEWARE my friend, do NOT blaspheme God!

I will make thy grave; for thou art vile . . . what God says to Nineveh is harsh. He says, "I'm going to bury you." Nikita Khrushchev was NOT the first one to say simalar words. He said that to the people of the United States, and actually, Khrushchev was using a biblical expression, and didn't even know it. God said to Nineveh, "I'm going to bury you because you are so evil, and when I do, you will be done as a nation." God did just as He said that he would! Sennacherib's grave was the house of his gods. My friend, NO idol 'god' in this entire world can save you! There is ONLY ONE TRUE GOD! He and He alone can save you!

Nahum 1:15 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. (KJV)

Behold upon the mountains . . . those around Jerusalem, in the land of Israel.

The feet of him that bringeth good tidings . . . applied here to the messengers who brought the good news of the destruction of Nineveh. Judah would then be able to keep her solemn feasts, for the wicked Assyrian would NOT pass through their land any more; for the capital city was destroyed to its foundations.

O Judah, keep thy solemn feasts . . . the passover, pentecost, and tabernacles; which had been interrupted or omitted through the invasion of the land, and the siege of Jerusalem, by the enemy. But now, the enemy is gone and slain, Judah had full liberty and were able to attend these feast days.

Perform thy vows . . . Judah had made vows to the Lord when they were really distressed because the enemy was in their land. They had promised things to the Lord; what they would do, if God would deliver them out of the enemy's hands . . . and now that they were delivered; they were to make good their promises, and especially to offer up their thanksgiving to God for such a merciful deliverance (Ps.50:14). Nahum tells them to have their festivals, those special times in the Jews’ religion.

Nahum uses the name Judah, but it does not matter where or who the bad country is, or when they maliciously strike, it should always be left to God to decide when He will become angry enough to bring judgment upon that evil enemy.

Judah was to think about how "the wicked shall no more pass through thee; he is utterly cut off." Those evil people of Assyria would never attack them again. People from other countries DID attack Judah. Only a few years later, the people from Babylon did attack, in 586 B.C. But the Assyrians, the "wicked" never again attacked Judah after 612 B.C.

Nahum 1:15 is nearly the same as Isa 52:7, which is referring to the similar deliverance from Babylon. Isaiah 52:7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth! (KJV)

More on HELL
You do NOT want to go there!

The Bible describes it as weeping (Mat. 8:12), wailing (Mat. 13:42), gnashing of teeth (Mat. 13:50), darkness (Mat. 25:30), flames (Luke 16:24), burning (Isa. 33:14), torments (Luke 16:23), everlasting punishment! . . . Christ Jesus says: Matthew 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: (KJV)
Matthew 13:42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. (KJV)

The Bible warns over and over again, of the eternal horror and the permanence of Hell!
everlasting fire . . . Mat.18:8, 25:41
everlasting punishment . . . Mat. 25:46
everlasting chains . . . Jude 1:6
eternal damnation . . . Mark 3:29
eternal judgment . . . Heb. 6:2
eternal fire . . . Jude 1:7
unquenchable fire . . . Mat. 3:12
the fire that never shall be quenched . . . Mark 9:43, 44, 45, 46, 48
fire unquenchable . . . Luke 3:17
being in torments . . . Luke 16:23
mist of darkness is reserved for ever . . . 2 Peter 2:17
the blackness of darkness for ever . . . Jude 1:13

I have searched my Bible, and have studied much on Hell. I cannot find one verse of mercy or HOPE for someone in Hell! NOT ONE WORD! And no matter if it is darkness or fire or both . . . you do NOT want to go there! The rich man in Hell in Luke 16 NEVER even asks to get out . . . because He knew there was NO way out!
MY FRIEND . . . HELL IS FOREVER!

Book of Nahum

Ch1 . Ch2 . Ch3

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