INTRODUCTION TO NAHUM

This book is named after its author, Nahum. His name means comfort and implies full of exceeding comfort. It is a comfort to know the reality of Nahum 1:7. Nahum was a prophet at the same time as Isaiah. He tells of the judgment of Assyria of which Nineveh is the capital. Many years before, Jonah had preached to Nineveh and they repented. By now they had returned to idolatry and turned from their repentance. When you have the light, you have a responsibility to pass it on to your children. Nineveh did not fulfill this responsibility, therefore, the judgment is greater. Judgment is always severe when you go against the mercy of God and trifle with His grace and love. But know that He is a God of a second chance.

Nineveh had a great wall around it. It is said that six chariots could ride abreast on it. It looked as if this city could never fall. But it was totally destroyed. So much so, that skeptics said the city never existed. Then in 1842 it was unearthed. It is a dangerous thing to turn from the light; to not pass it on to each generation. It will cause a nation to forget God. (Ps. 9:17). This is why we should train up our children in the ways of God and the Word of God. Great is the judgment of God on those who refuse the light. But greater is the comfort of those who put their trust in Christ.