Nahum

Founded by Nimrod, a descendent of Ham (Gen. 10:1111Out of that land went forth Asshur, and builded Nineveh, and the city Rehoboth, and Calah, (Genesis 10:11) margin; Mic. 5:66And they shall waste the land of Assyria with the sword, and the land of Nimrod in the entrances thereof: thus shall he deliver us from the Assyrian, when he cometh into our land, and when he treadeth within our borders. (Micah 5:6)), Nineveh is a picture of usurped authority and independence from God. Nimrod flaunted his might and power before the Lord—“he began to be a mighty one in the earth. He was a mighty hunter before the Lord” (Gen. 10:8-98And Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be a mighty one in the earth. 9He was a mighty hunter before the Lord: wherefore it is said, Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the Lord. (Genesis 10:8‑9)). This is the character of the Assyrian. Though used by God as the rod of His anger, the Assyrian must be punished for his high looks and proud heart, “for he saith, By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom; for I am prudent” (Isa. 10:12-1312Wherefore it shall come to pass, that when the Lord hath performed his whole work upon mount Zion and on Jerusalem, I will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his high looks. 13For he saith, By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom; for I am prudent: and I have removed the bounds of the people, and have robbed their treasures, and I have put down the inhabitants like a valiant man: (Isaiah 10:12‑13)).
Though the invasion of Sennacherib no doubt precipitated the prophecy, it looks forward to a future day when the King of the North will again imagine vain things against Jehovah (Nah. 1:1111There is one come out of thee, that imagineth evil against the Lord, a wicked counsellor. (Nahum 1:11))—“beware lest Hezekiah persuade you, saying, The Lord will deliver us. Hath any of the gods of the nations delivered his land out of the hand of the king of Assyria?” (Isa. 36:1818Beware lest Hezekiah persuade you, saying, The Lord will deliver us. Hath any of the gods of the nations delivered his land out of the hand of the king of Assyria? (Isaiah 36:18)). Having passed through the land of Israel, Assyria—the King of the North—will be cut down, never to pass through it again. He is utterly cut off (Nah. 1:12-1512Thus 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. 13For now will I break his yoke from off thee, and will burst thy bonds in sunder. 14And 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. 15Behold 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. (Nahum 1:12‑15); Dan. 11:40-4140And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over. 41He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon. (Daniel 11:40‑41)).
Though God is jealous, taking vengeance on his adversaries (Nah. 1:22God 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. (Nahum 1:2)), His wrath is not indiscriminate. Here in this book of judgment we find one of Scripture’s most comforting verses for the day of trouble, a beacon in a time of darkness: “The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him” (Nah. 1:77The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him. (Nahum 1:7)).