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Bible Commentaries
Nahum 2

NahumNah 1 NahumNah NahumNah 3

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Verses 1-13

Intro:
1. The Books Theme: It focuses on the Holy character of God, who cannot allow sin to go unpunished.
  1. Ch.1 Nahum “Declares” Nineveh’s fall. Ch.2 Nahum “Describes” Nineveh’s fall. Ch.3 Nahum “Defends” Nineveh’s fall.
2. Nahum’s description of ancient warfare is unrivaled.
  1. Many relief’s have been uncovered that depict battles of this time period. (show pictures)
  2. We have here a dramatic picture of the [1] Invasion [2] Battle [3] Victory [4] Humiliation {our outline!}
THE INVASION! (1-4)
1. (1) The Hebrew Scriptures start ch.2 with 1:15.
  1. (1:15) Isaiah uses this for the fall of Babylon – See Is.52:7
  2. Paul uses this announcement for us today “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!” (Rom.10:15)
    1. The person who brings the message of hope & victory is a person w/beautiful feet!
    2. As you carry the gospel message to the lost, how would you describe what your spiritual feet look like?
    3. Is your message sprinkled throughout with “peace” & “glad tidings”? {or, doom & gloom?}
2. In 612bc the Medes(Persia/Iran) & the Babylonians(So. Iraq area) united to attack Nineveh(No. Iraq area).
3. (3) Color of their uniforms & shields were scarlet.
  1. The shields were copper overlaid which gave them a blood red appearance. Both to project the idea of blood onto their enemies & to protect their own blood stains from being apparent.
4. (3b) “The chariots come with flaming torches”
  1. (NIV) “The metal on the chariots flashes”
  2. Charles Feinberg says, “Some war chariots flashed w/steel because scythes were fixed at right angles to their axles to form what were called Scythe-chariots.”
    1. Makes the Ben Hur chariot race a kids game!
    2. “It was one of the most terrifying weapons of antiquity which cut down all who came against them.”
5. (3c) “The spears of pine are brandished” (NIV)
  1. Lit. “the cypresses are shaken”
  2. The armies w/lances & spears looked like a forest of cypress trees.
6. (4) I guess this verse was used for years to show “automobiles” were prophesied in scripture. (obviously not speaking of this at all)
7. Application: Hear the Lord’s voice even above the noise of war!
  1. See the 1b,2a transition.
  2. Usually, life isn’t quiet; & you can’t make life quiet; but you can go get quiet!
  3. Often, we need to be quiet to hear from the Lord.
  4. How does silence help? - “Silence makes room for listening; it gives us freedom to observe; it allows me time to think; it provides space to feel; it lets us broaden our awareness; it opens us to the entry of peace; it invites us to know our limitedness…& God’s vastness.” (Chuck Swindoll; “Intimacy w/the Almighty”; pg.17,18)
  5. What saith Scripture regarding silence? – “But the LORD is in His holy temple. Let all the earth keep silence before Him." (Hab.2:20)
  6. “Be still, and know that I am God;” (Ps.46:10)
  7. “Be silent in the presence of the Lord GOD; (Zeph.1:7)
  8. "Be silent, all flesh, before the LORD, for He is aroused from His holy habitation!" (Zech.2:13)
  9. “The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” (Ex.14:14)
    1. “Stop fussing & start trusting!”
    2. Prov.13:3 “He who guards his mouth preserves his life, But he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction.”
    3. When the highway of life gets “foggy”…slow down!
    4. Silence, like an onion, will help to unpeel, layer after layer of your life. Driving us deeper to the core.
    5. Like a rest in a piece of music, the silence helps define the significance of the sound.
  10. So, Hear the Lord’s voice even above the noise of war!
THE BATTLE! (5-7)
1. (5) “He remembers his nobles” - The Assyrian leader calls his best officers.
  1. “They stumble in their walk” – Instead of marching as soldiers, they stumble like drunkards.
    1. We are soldiers of the lord! – Q: How’s your march soldier?
    2. 2 Tim. 2:4 “No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.”
      1. “They make haste to her walls” - his best officers are command to protect the wall.
      2. “And the defense is prepared” – but…it is too late! (see next verse)
2. (6) The invaders simply dammed up the river(the Khoser, that ran through the city), & then released the water.
  1. This dissolved the sun-dried mud bricks. (part of the wall & some of the buildings)
  2. Ex: Haiti flooded with heavy rains 2 years ago. There mud/wood slat houses melted away.
3. (7) This could be speaking about the queen?
4. Application: The very things they trusted in…were their downfall.
  1. Q: What is it you are trusting in at this stage in your life?
    1. Boy, how quick it can all melt away.
    2. Q: Have any melt downs lately?
  2. Is it a coincidence that the center verses in the bible deal with trusting in God vs. trusting man? (prob so…but it is interesting)
    1. 31,174 vs. in the bible. (middle is 15,587/8^th)
    2. Ps.118:8,9 “It is better to trust in the LORD Than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the LORD Than to put confidence in princes.”
THE VICTORY! (8-10)
1. (8) Archeology Note – (They fled!) “Sardanapalus [another name for King Sin-shar-ishkun] sent away his three sons and two daughters with much treasure into Paphlagonia, to the governor of Kattos, the most loyal of his subjects”(Diodorus, Bibliotheca Historica, 2. 26. 8).
2. (9) Archeology Note - According to the Babylonian Chronicle, “Great quantities of spoil from the city, beyond counting, they carried off. The city [they turned] into a mound and ruin heap” (Luckenbill, Ancient Records of Assyria and Babylonia, 2:420).
3. (10) Empty, desolate, & waste.
  1. These 3 words sound similar in Hebrew…“buka, mevukah, mevulakah”.
  2. Charles Feinberg claimed that “the words imitate the sound of the emptying of a bottle.” {say it using loose jaw, & loose lips!}
THE HUMILIATION! (11-13)
1. (11,12) Assyria was identified w/the lion, an image in many of their sculptures.
  1. But even worse, the Assyrians “acted” like lions!
  2. So, Nahum taunts them!
  3. But these Assyrian lions no longer have a den to lie-in! They no longer will devour, but only to cower! Roar, they would no more! And, they no longer would kill…to the fill!
  4. Assyria would be de-clawed & de-fanged!
  5. And so will all the enemies of the Gospel! ….“in His right time!”
  6. See Rev.6:9-11…the 5^th seal!
  7. Who were these martyrs? Probably martyrs from during the 1st 4 plagues.
  8. Why under the altar? The blood was always poured out at the foot of the altar.
  9. God’s answer....Wait!.....Still more to be martyred!
  10. Here we glimpse at the long standing problem w/evil - Why it is allowed to reign?
  11. We can be sure, it is for His perfect plan & purposes, which are best from His vantage point, of His total plan - though diff. from our limited viewpoint!
  12. This is difficult from the Martyrs standpoint, “why would God let these murderers live?”.....TRUST HIM! {Let Him, do His will, in His time!}
  13. “Death for Jesus sake is not a waste - but is sac. & worship!”
  14. Re: Martyrdom, “Love makes the whole diff. between an execution & a martyrdom.” (Evelyn Underhill)
2. (13) “I am against you” – Chilling words!
  1. It was the Lords doing…the Medes & Babylon were simply tools in His hand!...Their time was up, there end had come!

return to 'Top of Page'

Verses 1-13

Intro:
1. The Books Theme: It focuses on the Holy character of God, who cannot allow sin to go unpunished.
  1. Ch.1 Nahum “Declares” Nineveh’s fall. Ch.2 Nahum “Describes” Nineveh’s fall. Ch.3 Nahum “Defends” Nineveh’s fall.
2. Nahum’s description of ancient warfare is unrivaled.
  1. Many relief’s have been uncovered that depict battles of this time period. (show pictures)
  2. We have here a dramatic picture of the [1] Invasion [2] Battle [3] Victory [4] Humiliation {our outline!}
THE INVASION! (1-4)
1. (1) The Hebrew Scriptures start ch.2 with 1:15.
  1. (1:15) Isaiah uses this for the fall of Babylon – See Is.52:7
  2. Paul uses this announcement for us today “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!” (Rom.10:15)
    1. The person who brings the message of hope & victory is a person w/beautiful feet!
    2. As you carry the gospel message to the lost, how would you describe what your spiritual feet look like?
    3. Is your message sprinkled throughout with “peace” & “glad tidings”? {or, doom & gloom?}
2. In 612bc the Medes(Persia/Iran) & the Babylonians(So. Iraq area) united to attack Nineveh(No. Iraq area).
3. (3) Color of their uniforms & shields were scarlet.
  1. The shields were copper overlaid which gave them a blood red appearance. Both to project the idea of blood onto their enemies & to protect their own blood stains from being apparent.
4. (3b) “The chariots come with flaming torches”
  1. (NIV) “The metal on the chariots flashes”
  2. Charles Feinberg says, “Some war chariots flashed w/steel because scythes were fixed at right angles to their axles to form what were called Scythe-chariots.”
    1. Makes the Ben Hur chariot race a kids game!
    2. “It was one of the most terrifying weapons of antiquity which cut down all who came against them.”
5. (3c) “The spears of pine are brandished” (NIV)
  1. Lit. “the cypresses are shaken”
  2. The armies w/lances & spears looked like a forest of cypress trees.
6. (4) I guess this verse was used for years to show “automobiles” were prophesied in scripture. (obviously not speaking of this at all)
7. Application: Hear the Lord’s voice even above the noise of war!
  1. See the 1b,2a transition.
  2. Usually, life isn’t quiet; & you can’t make life quiet; but you can go get quiet!
  3. Often, we need to be quiet to hear from the Lord.
  4. How does silence help? - “Silence makes room for listening; it gives us freedom to observe; it allows me time to think; it provides space to feel; it lets us broaden our awareness; it opens us to the entry of peace; it invites us to know our limitedness…& God’s vastness.” (Chuck Swindoll; “Intimacy w/the Almighty”; pg.17,18)
  5. What saith Scripture regarding silence? – “But the LORD is in His holy temple. Let all the earth keep silence before Him." (Hab.2:20)
  6. “Be still, and know that I am God;” (Ps.46:10)
  7. “Be silent in the presence of the Lord GOD; (Zeph.1:7)
  8. "Be silent, all flesh, before the LORD, for He is aroused from His holy habitation!" (Zech.2:13)
  9. “The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” (Ex.14:14)
    1. “Stop fussing & start trusting!”
    2. Prov.13:3 “He who guards his mouth preserves his life, But he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction.”
    3. When the highway of life gets “foggy”…slow down!
    4. Silence, like an onion, will help to unpeel, layer after layer of your life. Driving us deeper to the core.
    5. Like a rest in a piece of music, the silence helps define the significance of the sound.
  10. So, Hear the Lord’s voice even above the noise of war!
THE BATTLE! (5-7)
1. (5) “He remembers his nobles” - The Assyrian leader calls his best officers.
  1. “They stumble in their walk” – Instead of marching as soldiers, they stumble like drunkards.
    1. We are soldiers of the lord! – Q: How’s your march soldier?
    2. 2 Tim. 2:4 “No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.”
      1. “They make haste to her walls” - his best officers are command to protect the wall.
      2. “And the defense is prepared” – but…it is too late! (see next verse)
2. (6) The invaders simply dammed up the river(the Khoser, that ran through the city), & then released the water.
  1. This dissolved the sun-dried mud bricks. (part of the wall & some of the buildings)
  2. Ex: Haiti flooded with heavy rains 2 years ago. There mud/wood slat houses melted away.
3. (7) This could be speaking about the queen?
4. Application: The very things they trusted in…were their downfall.
  1. Q: What is it you are trusting in at this stage in your life?
    1. Boy, how quick it can all melt away.
    2. Q: Have any melt downs lately?
  2. Is it a coincidence that the center verses in the bible deal with trusting in God vs. trusting man? (prob so…but it is interesting)
    1. 31,174 vs. in the bible. (middle is 15,587/8^th)
    2. Ps.118:8,9 “It is better to trust in the LORD Than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the LORD Than to put confidence in princes.”
THE VICTORY! (8-10)
1. (8) Archeology Note – (They fled!) “Sardanapalus [another name for King Sin-shar-ishkun] sent away his three sons and two daughters with much treasure into Paphlagonia, to the governor of Kattos, the most loyal of his subjects”(Diodorus, Bibliotheca Historica, 2. 26. 8).
2. (9) Archeology Note - According to the Babylonian Chronicle, “Great quantities of spoil from the city, beyond counting, they carried off. The city [they turned] into a mound and ruin heap” (Luckenbill, Ancient Records of Assyria and Babylonia, 2:420).
3. (10) Empty, desolate, & waste.
  1. These 3 words sound similar in Hebrew…“buka, mevukah, mevulakah”.
  2. Charles Feinberg claimed that “the words imitate the sound of the emptying of a bottle.” {say it using loose jaw, & loose lips!}
THE HUMILIATION! (11-13)
1. (11,12) Assyria was identified w/the lion, an image in many of their sculptures.
  1. But even worse, the Assyrians “acted” like lions!
  2. So, Nahum taunts them!
  3. But these Assyrian lions no longer have a den to lie-in! They no longer will devour, but only to cower! Roar, they would no more! And, they no longer would kill…to the fill!
  4. Assyria would be de-clawed & de-fanged!
  5. And so will all the enemies of the Gospel! ….“in His right time!”
  6. See Rev.6:9-11…the 5^th seal!
  7. Who were these martyrs? Probably martyrs from during the 1st 4 plagues.
  8. Why under the altar? The blood was always poured out at the foot of the altar.
  9. God’s answer....Wait!.....Still more to be martyred!
  10. Here we glimpse at the long standing problem w/evil - Why it is allowed to reign?
  11. We can be sure, it is for His perfect plan & purposes, which are best from His vantage point, of His total plan - though diff. from our limited viewpoint!
  12. This is difficult from the Martyrs standpoint, “why would God let these murderers live?”.....TRUST HIM! {Let Him, do His will, in His time!}
  13. “Death for Jesus sake is not a waste - but is sac. & worship!”
  14. Re: Martyrdom, “Love makes the whole diff. between an execution & a martyrdom.” (Evelyn Underhill)
2. (13) “I am against you” – Chilling words!
  1. It was the Lords doing…the Medes & Babylon were simply tools in His hand!...Their time was up, there end had come!

return to 'Top of Page'

NahumNah 1 NahumNah NahumNah 3

Copyright Statement
These files are the property of Brian Bell.
Text Courtesy of Calvary Chapel of Murrieta. Used by Permission.

Bibliographical Information
Bell, Brian. "Commentary on Nahum 2". "Bell's Commentary". https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/cbb/nahum-2.html. 2017.

Bible CommentariesNahum 2

Bell's Commentary on the BibleBell's Commentary

Verses 1-13

Verses 1-13

Bible Commentaries
Nahum 2