God’s Judgment on the Assyrian
The book of Nahum is the last of the prophets of the Assyrian period and marks the end of the Assyrian dynasty. Its subject is the overthrow of Nineveh. This was the capital city of that empire, and its overthrow represents its final destruction. It has its fulfillment in end-time prophecy of the Lord’s judgment of Gog and his confederacy (Ezek. 38-39).
The Judge of All the Earth Arises to Judge the Assyrian
Chapter 1
Nahum begins with a presentation of the Lord in His majestic holiness as the Judge of all the earth (vss. 1-8). Historically, the Lord used the Babylonians and the Medes to overthrow Nineveh, but the future destruction of this final enemy of Israel will be executed by the Lord Himself, and there will be none with Him in execution of that judgment. This is the Winepress judgment (Isa. 34:1-10; 63:1-6; Joel 3:13; Rev. 14:17-20). The presence of the Lord is spoken of as being known in the earth. This points to the fact that when the final judgment of the last confederacy is judged, the Lord will have already returned and will be in Jerusalem. In that day He will defend Israel as “a stronghold in the day of trouble” (vs. 7) and will “make a full end” of that enemy (vs. 8). The destruction of this enemy will bring the Indignation to a close at 1335 days from the middle of the seventieth week of Daniel (Dan. 12:12).
The land of Israel was in great trouble when the Assyrian passed through the land. As mentioned, the first attack of the Assyrian is a foreshadow of the King of the North, who will devastate the land from the north to the south, on his way into Egypt (Dan. 11:40-43). But when the Assyrian enters the land in a second attack, “affliction (on Israel) shall not rise up the second time” because the Lord will be there, and He will tread this enemy down (vs. 9). This is a reference to Gog in the future. There was “one” (Sennacherib, who is typical of Gog) who will “come out” of Assyria that will imagine evil against Israel, but the Lord takes it personally, and speaks of it as evil against Himself (vss. 10-11).
The Lord promises His restored people that when this enemy makes an attempt to “pass through” the land, they will be “cut down.” He says, “Though I have afflicted thee ... ” This is a reference to the Lord having used the Assyrian (the first attack) as a rod of correction on His people (Isa. 10:5), He quickly adds, “I will afflict thee no more. For now I will break his yoke from off thee.” The Assyrian will not touch Israel again because the Lord will be there in the land with His restored people (vss. 12-14).
The destruction of the Assyrian power will be “good tidings” to Israel. The Lord promises them, “The wicked shall no more pass through thee; he is utterly cut off” (vs. 15).
The Overthrow of Nineveh
Chapter 2
Nahum gives a graphic description of the carnage in the overthrow of Nineveh, depicting the destruction of the Judgment of the Assyrian Empire.
God is Justified in the Judgment of the Assyrian
Chapter 3
Nahum justifies God in the well-deserved judgment of this godless empire.