NAHUM 1-3

Nahum predicts and describes Nineveh's fall.

NAHUM'S PREDICTION OF NINEVEH'S FALL (1:1-7, 9-15; 2:12; 3:1, 4-10)

The purpose (1:1-2, 7, 9-15; 2:12; 3:1, 4-10):

God will accomplish this for two reasons:

To protect Judah (1:1-2, 7, 13, 15)

Jehovah's confirmation (1:1-2, 7):

Nahum says God is jealous over those he loves and takes vengeance on alI who would harm them.

Judah's celebration (1:13, 15):

The people will soon rejoice over the destruction of the cruel Assyrian Empire.

To punish Nineveh (1:9-12, 14; 2:12; 3:1, 4-10):

Her wickedness will bring down God's wrath. Nineveh will be destroyed for her:

Defiance of God (1:9-12)

Idolatry (1:14)

Terrible bloodshed (2:12; 3:1)

Involvement in the occult (3:4-10)

The power (1:3-6):

Nahum says when sinful men (in this case the Assyrians) exhaust God's patience, they face the terrible power of God's wrath, which is like:

A raging storm (1:3-5)

A consuming fire (1:6)

NAHUM'S DESCRIPTION OF NINEVEH'S FALL (1:8; 2:1-11, 13; 3:2-3, 11-19)

The sources of her destruction (1:8; 2:3-4)

Waters will overflow her (1:8):

The Tigris River will rush through a breach in the walls and will help to destroy the city.

Babylonian warriors will invade her (2:3-4).

The severity of her destruction (2:1-2, 6-11, 13; 3:2-3, 11-19)

As foretold by God (3:11-15)

The city will stagger like a terrified drunkard (3:11).

All its fortresses will fall (3:12).

Its soldiers will be helpless (3:13a).

Nineveh will be sacked and burned (3:13b-15).

As fulfilled by God (2:1-2, 6-11, 13; 3:2-3, 16-19)

The overview of the battle for Nineveh (2:1-2):

The Ninevites struggle to defend themselves, but to no avail.

The outcome following the battle for Nineveh (2:6-11, 13; 3:2-3, 16-19): Ninevah is completely obliterated.