Nahum 1-3

Here is Lawrence Boadt’s introduction to the book of Nahum….

Zephaniah had lived before Josiah’s reform and focused his zeal mostly against the evils of idolatry and faithlessness in Judah itself. Nahum provides a different view taken from within the time of reform and directed mostly against the evil of Assyria. This is one of the most colorful and dramatic books in the Old Testament with its ferocious description of the Babylonian siege of Neneveh. A short book of three chapters, it contains mostly angry and impassioned hatred against Assyria. The first chapter pictures Yahweh coming as a divine warrior to punish idolators and deliver Judah from its enemies. The second chapter describes the battle for Nineveh, and the third mixes battle scenes with reasons for God’s wrath.

While it can be counted among the most stirring sections of the Bible, Nahum remains somewhat of a mystery book. We know nothing about the author except his name; he gives us no personal details, and no message of comfort about the God of the covenant and his mercy. Because it is so unified, it probably was written or spoken all on one occasion, perhaps as a long poem, at some festival in the temple. It takes the form of a battle curse, known to be part of the message of prophets in many ancient nations. Before battle or in time of great danger, the prophet delivers an oracle of doom against the enemy and makes it into a word of comfort and hope for his own people. It often serves to lift the morale of an army before battle. In this case, the description of Nineveh and its fall is so clear that Nahum possibly spoke it very near the date of the event. Since Nineveh fell in 612, we can guess that Nahum delivered these words sometime between 615 and 610. Because of their power and their deep trust in the protection of God, they were saved and made part of the collection of prophets so that future generations could know what God had done, and learn to trust as Nahum had.

I wonder: do you find it easier to trust God for the big things of life or for the little things? What do you need to trust God for today or for the week that lies ahead?

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