34) The Book of Nahum

NAHUM is a sequel to the book of Jonah because both books deal with Nineveh; however, Nahum prophesies around 100 years after Jonah. The vision of Nahum records prophecies of destruction against the capital of Assyria in Nineveh. There is nothing positive for the people of Nineveh in the entire book. The only positive references in the 3 chapters and 47 verses of the book apply to the nation of Israel (1:7, 13, 15). God used the heathen to punish Israel, but God also punished the heathen for the mistreatment of His children.

Assyria was a major military power prior to Babylon, but Babylon was the first worldwide kingdom under the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar (Dan. 2). Assyria conquered the northern kingdoms of Israel around 722 B.C. and Babylon conquered the southern kingdoms of Judah around 586 B.C. The vision of Nahum prophesied of the destruction and doom of Nineveh before Babylon became an international power.

Nahum means comforter or compassionate. The doom of Nineveh will provide comfort for the people of Israel just as the destruction of Babylon will provide the same comfort for the Jews of the Tribulation (Rev. 19:1-6). Nahum prophesied of the modern military weaponry during the Tribulation and the destruction of the world kingdoms by the Lord Jesus Christ.