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Nahum | 1 | 2 | 3 | PDF |

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These small group Bible studies of Nahum 1 contain commentary, discussion questions, and practical application. Visit our library of inductive Bible studies for more in depth inductive studies on this and other books of the Bible you can use in your small group.

Nahum 1 Bible Study Guide – God’s Emotions and Our Emotions

Outline

I. Introduction (1)
II. God’s character and power (2-7)
III. God’s judgment upon His enemies (8-15)

I. Introduction (1)

Discussion Questions

• What is this book about?
• Who wrote it?
• What do we know about the writer?
• How does this book compare with the book of Jonah and God’s mercy to the Ninevites then?

Cross-References

Jonah – The events in the book of Jonah likely occurred around 100 years before Nahum was written. It shows us God’s mercy on Nineveh when the people repented.

Verse by Verse Commentary

1. Nahum of Elkosh – Nahum is not mentioned elsewhere in the Bible and scholars are uncertain where the city of Elkosh is. We know nothing of Nahum except this prophecy which he gave.

It is a reminder that the message is more important than the messenger. The message should be heeded because it is the Word of God. Many prophets said, “The word of the Lord.” (Haggai 1:1, Jeremiah 1:4).

The word of God is not greater when it comes from the mouth of a “great” preacher and it is not less when it comes from the mouth of someone unknown.

Application – Do not look down on people without seminary degrees or less education. Do not dismiss their insights into Scripture. In like manner, do not exalt certain preachers or put them on a pedestal. Instead, be hungry for the truth from God’s Word wherever and from whomever it comes.

2. Nineveh –

Nineveh was the capital of the Assyrian empire. It was huge and well fortified, with a wall 50 feet wide and 100 feet tall around it. Located on the east bank of the Tigris River, about 550 miles from Samaria (capital of the Northern Kingdom), it was famous for its cruelty. Ancient inscriptions describe impalement, flaying prisoners alive, piles of severed heads, public torture, and mass deportations. They terrorized their enemies into surrender and threatened torture for those who wouldn’t.

One hundred years earlier, Jonah was commanded to go to Nineveh with a message of judgment. He refused to go since Assyria was enemies with Israel. Through a series of miraculous events, including the favorite Bible story of the fish swallowing Jonah, God convinced Jonah to go.

The people repented.

Word came to the king of Jonah’s message and he set the example for the people. He “covered himself with sackcloth and sat in ashes.” Then he made a proclamation and told all of his subjects to do the same for three days.

In addition, he encouraged everyone to “call out mightily to God,” and “turn from his evil way.”

The king reacted quickly. Unlike many other proud sovereigns who ignored God’s warning (Pharaoh, King Nebuchadnezzar, etc.), this king humbled himself. Kings are used to luxurious living, fine clothes, tasty foods, all the pleasures that life can offer. He gave up these worldly pleasures as an outward symbol of his change of heart.

Such repentance was remarkable. Assyria was a powerful nation and Israel was small and weak compared to them. The king could have easily mocked God as other Assyrian kings such as Sennacherib did (2 Kings 18-19). Jonah was not standing at the head of a powerful army. He was a single man preaching an incredible message, a message that would have been easy to dismiss or scoff at. As of yet, there was no visible evidence that anything was going to happen. It was the word of one man, an enemy of Assyria, who would have celebrated its destruction.

Yet he and his people believed God. Then they acted on that belief. It seems very possible that we will see this Assyrian king and many of his people in heaven one day.

Thus, God’s compassion was highlighted. He can and does save anyone. He was patient and gave them opportunities to repent. When they did, He responded with mercy.

Around one century had passed since the events in Jonah’s time. Likely, Nahum was written in the mid-seventh century BC. This was after Assyria had conquered and exiled Israel and before its own fall at the hands of Babylon in 612 BC.

By this time, the people of Nineveh had evidently forgotten the message of Jonah. They had turned back to idolatry and their cruel violence.

God is slow to anger, but His patience does not last forever.

The book of Nahum is a pronouncement of judgment against this kingdom which had made itself an enemy of God.

II. God’s character and power (2-7)

Discussion Questions

• How is God jealous?
• Isn’t jealousy bad? How and when can it be good?
• What else does verse 2 show about God’s character?
• How is God’s wrath and vengeance holy?
• Can He be gracious and compassionate at the same time as wrathful? How can we understand these different aspects of God’s character and how they work together?
• What does it mean that God is “slow to anger?”
• What would happen if God is quick to anger?
• Is God slow to love? So what’s the difference?
• Would people around you describe you as slow to anger?
• What is good anger and what is bad anger?
• Which of these characteristics of God should you pursue? How will you pursue them?
• How do these qualities of God point to Jesus?
• What do verses 4-5 show us about His character?
• What is the implied warning in verse 6?
• How does verse 7 contrast with the theme of Nahum (judgment)?

Cross-References

Exodus 34:14 – For you shall worship no other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.

Deuteronomy 4:24 – For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.

Romans 12:19 – Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”

Psalms 103:8-9 – The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever.

Malachi 3:2 – But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap.

Psalms 18:2 – The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

Verse by Verse Commentary

1. The Lord is jealous –

Nahum 1:2 – The Lord is a jealous and avenging God.

Reflect: Is jealousy good or bad? Why?

Like boasting, jealousy generally has a negative connotation. People are often jealous of the things others have, whether material goods, worldly success, or even their spouse.

James describes this jealousy.

James 3:14-15 – But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.

Job 5:2 – Surely resentment destroys the fool, and jealousy kills the simple.

Is there a double standard? How can it be that God is jealous, and that is right, but people are not supposed to be jealous?

The answer is that there are different kinds of jealousy: righteous jealousy and unrighteous jealousy. They could also be described as righteous jealousy and unrighteous jealousy.

Worldly jealousy is “bitter” and “selfish.” It often grows as a result of sinful comparing (2 Corinthians 10:12). James says that it is “demonic.” It causes people to lie, cheat, steal, commit adultery, and murder.

In short, sinful jealousy is wrongly desiring something that does not belong to you.

In contrast, there is a “divine” or “righteous” jealousy. This type of jealousy is justified. Many verses describe God Himself as jealous for His people. God is jealous when His people go to serve idols. He wants them to give Him their devotion. One reason is that when they do, it is best for them.

Let us think of it this way. A husband and wife make marriage vows to one another. But later, another guy comes in and starts flirting with and spending time with the wife. He takes her to romantic dinners and gives her gifts. Should the husband feel jealous? Indeed, he should! If the husband is apathetic and says, “Meh, whatever,” it is a sign that he does not love his wife.

The husband should zealously protect her honor. He should zealously commit himself to preserving the marriage. It is not only not good for him for his wife to be unfaithful. It is detrimental to her and her relationship with God. He should seek to protect her from sin. And any man who tries to woo his wife away from him is bad news and will destroy her.

Similarly, if she is unfaithful to him and goes after other men, he should be jealous.

In like manner, God is jealous when we pursue idols. An idol can be anything you set your heart on rather than God. God is our creator. He has the right to our affection. But at the same time, when we rebel against him and go astray, it is bad news for us. His jealousy is also other-centered in that He has our best interests at heart.

Application – Be thankful that our God is not apathetic. He cares for us. He is jealous when we wrongly pursue other things over a relationship with Him.

Also, there are times when we should be jealous.

Paul was jealous for the Corinthians (2 Corinthians 11:1-2). He desired that they would have a healthy relationship with God. But the false teachers had interjected themselves into the situation in order to steal away the Corinthians, effectively ripping them from their marriage to Christ. He described it as a “divine jealousy.”

Paul didn’t just say, “I don’t care.” He cared! It hurt him when he saw them turning from the Lord to the world. He was jealous! And that jealousy was motivated by a heart of love.

Care! God wants us to have a zeal to see His people following after Him.

2. The Lord is avenging and wrathful –

Nahum 1:2 – The Lord is a jealous and avenging God; the Lord is avenging and wrathful; the Lord takes vengeance on his adversaries and keeps wrath for his enemies.

God’s character is meticulously described in Exodus.

Exodus 34:6-7 – The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation.”

The book of Jonah demonstrated the first half of those verses. The book of Nahum demonstrates the second half. God is compassionate. He is merciful. He is slow to anger and patient. Yet His patience is not unlimited. God is also holy and just. He will not tolerate sin or the sinner forever.

Reflect – Isn’t anger bad? What is good anger and what is bad anger?

There are passages like this one which warn us about the dangers of anger.

James 1:20 – For the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

But not all anger is sin. Did you know that believers are commanded to “be angry” (Ephesians 4:26)?

There are two kinds of anger: righteous anger and selfish anger. Selfish anger is far more common. Here are a few examples of selfish anger:

• Getting upset when someone cuts in line
• Honking in anger at others’ rude driving habits
• Complaining about our boss behind his back
• Yelling at our spouse during an argument
• Retaliating verbally to those who insult us

Selfish anger is always a sin, 100% of the time. You cannot be angry about the above or similar situations and not sin. A person who has selfish anger is focused on themselves. They have been wronged, insulted, or mistreated, and so they react. People who get angry for these things are primarily concerned with their own rights and feelings.

Righteous anger is different. A person who has righteous anger is upset when God’s moral code is violated. Generally, his anger is stirred up when the weak and defenseless are mistreated. Here are some examples:

• Jesus was angry at the people doing business in the temple
• Citizens were angry at the Nazis for killing Jews
• Being incensed at the treatment of orphans
• Being angry at the perpetrators of human trafficking
• Being angry that abortion is tolerated, legalized, and promoted
• Standing up for a woman who is being domestically abused

A person who has righteous anger is concerned with others. A person with righteous anger is concerned with God’s glory and God’s law, like Jesus was when He cleansed the temple. From this standpoint, God wants us to be angry. The opposite of righteous anger is apathy. Many people suffer from apathy toward others. Those who are apathetic are preoccupied with themselves and too busy to think or care about helping the weak and innocent.

I read a story about a little girl who was hit by a vehicle. Lying on the side of the road, injured, bleeding, and crying, person after person passed her by. Later, camera footage showed fourteen people walking by her. Many were looking at their phones or turning away. They were apathetic. Such a scene should make us angry. Angry at the driver who left. Angry at a society that is too busy surfing social media to reach out and help someone in need.

Man’s anger does not achieve the righteousness God desires. But this does not mean we should never be angry. Righteous anger can motivate us to take action and make a difference in society and in others’ lives.

God’s anger is always just. It stems from His absolute holiness. His holiness is like a fire removing all imperfections and impurities from molten gold.

We are created in the image of God, which means that each of our emotions points to some aspect of God. These emotions, like us, are now fallen. They can be twisted and perverted. Human anger is similar to God’s, but it has been twisted to become selfish. Human love is similar to God’s, but it too has been twisted and can become possessive or lustful. Human jealousy is the same.

God gave us our emotions for a reason. Every type of pure emotion has a specific purpose. Anger should motivate us to fight for the weak and exploited. Jealousy should motivate us to be loyal and to protect our loved ones’ honor.

We might think, “Anger is bad; God shouldn’t be angry.” But we only think that because our anger is often bad and the examples of anger we see are bad. A person who saw his father in a drunken rage every day can have difficulty understanding that pure anger is a good thing.

Reflect – In small group, let each person share one emotion. They should share how, in its purest form, it reflects God, but how it has become twisted with sin at the fall.

Application – Choose one of these emotions. Ask God to renew and purify the perfect form of that emotion in you.

3. The Lord is slow to anger but will not clear the guilty –

Nahum 1:3 – The Lord is slow to anger and great in power, and the Lord will by no means clear the guilty.

Even though righteous anger is right, it is still good to be slow to anger. How do I know? Because God is slow to anger!

It is an interesting phrase to use for God because God is outside of time. Also, since God’s anger is perfect, why be slow? The Bible never says He is slow to love.

It shows that God is purposeful and thoughtful. He has self-control and patience, which go hand in hand with His righteous anger. If He were quick to anger, we would all be executed immediately!

Another way of saying God is slow to anger is saying that He executes judgment, but He first gives us time to repent.

If even God, whose anger is perfect, proceeds with care and thought, how much more should we be slow to anger!

Reflect – Are there any examples in Scripture of God being quick to anger (IE: executing judgment for sin quickly) Are you slow to anger? What are things that tend to set you off?

Application – Consider and implement practical ways to be slow to anger in a specific “touchy” area this week.

4. God’s power over creation –

In verses 3-5, Nahum highlights God’s sovereignty over creation. His power is shown over all of the things He has made, including whirlwinds, clouds, the sea, the rivers, the land, the mountains, the heavens, the world, and all who dwell in the world.

What is the point?

If God is angry with you, watch out! You do not want to find yourself to be an enemy of God. You do not want to find yourself to be a recipient of His judgment. You cannot win or escape.

Nahum continues with that point in the next verse.

5. Who can stand before His wrath?

Nahum 1:6 – Who can stand before his indignation? Who can endure the heat of his anger? His wrath is poured out like fire, and the rocks are broken into pieces by him.

These rhetorical questions clearly reveal the answer, “No one.” No one can stand before God’s anger.

Revelation 6:17 – For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?

Hebrews 10:31 – It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Nineveh would not survive God’s judgment. When faced with that, the only thing to do is repent. That repentance spared their ancestors 100 years before.

Application – Make sure you are on friendly terms with the king. Work out your salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12).

6. The Lord is good –

Nahum 1:7 – The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him.

Lest the reader of the prophecy forget, Nahum reminds them that God is good. A person is not destined to face God’s wrath. Judgment is not inevitable or unavoidable. If salvation is not possible, a person might conclude that their actions don’t matter and continue in rebellion against God.

Nahum gives an important reminder that salvation is possible. God is good. He is gracious. At all times, He is ready to forgive.

God is like a castle with an open door. Anyone who seeks Him can come in to take refuge. They will not be turned away. Only those who refuse to come to Him for refuge will not receive it.

God’s judgment is not without mercy. There is a way to God if a person will, but take it.

The description of God’s justice, wrath, and goodness all point to the future coming of the Messiah.

Jesus is the way into God’s safe haven (John 14:6). Jesus took the full force of God’s wrath against sin on the cross so that we could instead receive His eternal grace and experience the goodness of the Lord.

Application – Never deceive yourself into thinking God is not good. He is not your enemy, unless you have first chosen to be His. He is good and the goodness He offers is infinitely better than the passing pleasures the world promises to you. If you want to experience true goodness, go to God. He is the source.

Psalms 34:8 – Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!

III. God’s judgment upon His enemies (8-15)

Discussion Questions

• What is the theme of verses 8-15?
• Who are God’s enemies (8)?
• Who is the “you” in verse 9?
• Who is the “they” in verse 10?
• What do the illustrations Nahum used show us about these people?
• What is going to happen to God’s enemies?
• Who is this glimmer of hope in 12b-13 about?
• In verse 14, what will happen to Assyria?
• What good news was there for Judah?
• How does this chapter highlight God’s different ways of dealing with His people and His enemies?

Cross-References

Isaiah 10:24-27 – Therefore thus says the Lord God of hosts: “O my people, who dwell in Zion, be not afraid of the Assyrians when they strike with the rod and lift up their staff against you as the Egyptians did. For in a very little while my fury will come to an end, and my anger will be directed to their destruction. And the Lord of hosts will wield against them a whip, as when he struck Midian at the rock of Oreb. And his staff will be over the sea, and he will lift it as he did in Egypt. And in that day his burden will depart from your shoulder, and his yoke from your neck; and the yoke will be broken because of the fat.”

Psalms 2:1-4 – Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying, “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.” He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision.

Verse by Verse Commentary

1. God’s judgment against Nineveh (8-11) –

Nahum 1:8 – But with an overflowing flood he will make a complete end of the adversaries, and will pursue his enemies into darkness.

Twice, Nahum says that God will “make a complete end” of His enemies (8 and 9). From this judgment against Assyria, there would be no coming back. It would not be a short-term decline of power, but a total fall.

A few years after this prophecy, Babylon defeated Nineveh after a long siege in 612 BC. In 609 BC, Assyria’s last resistance was wiped out after they were defeated at Harran. After that, they ceased to exist as an independent kingdom. Just as God said, they would be completely ended. Nineveh was wiped out to such an extent that even its remnants would be hidden and not discovered until the 1800s.

Assyria had been the most powerful military power in the region for hundreds of years and its existence traced back to 2000 BC.

Assyria boasted, “Who can stand against us?”

2 Kings 18:33 – Has any of the gods of the nations ever delivered his land out of the hand of the king of Assyria?

God asks, “Who can stand before Me? (paraphrased from Nahum 1:6).”

He even specifically responded to the Assyrian boast in Isaiah.

Isaiah 37:23 – “‘Whom have you mocked and reviled? Against whom have you raised your voice and lifted your eyes to the heights? Against the Holy One of Israel!”

No one will be able to stand the day of God’s wrath. Nahum uses very vivid pictures of “entangled thorns,” “drunkards as they drink,” and “stubble fully dried” to describe their precarious position.

Verse 11 seems to point to the Assyrian king, who was a “worthless counselor.”

2. Nineveh vs Judah –

Nahum 1:12 – Thus says the Lord, “Though they are at full strength and many, they will be cut down and pass away. Though I have afflicted you, I will afflict you no more.

There is a “they” and a “you.” “They” clearly refers to Nineveh. They will be cut down and pass away.

The “you” may refer to Judah. If so, that would mean that his judgment upon Assyria would result in deliverance for Judah.

Verse 13 strengthens this interpretation.

Nahum 1:13 – And now I will break his yoke from off you and will burst your bonds apart.

Assyria is the yoke binding Judah and God was about to break it off of them. Quite similar language is used in God’s promise of deliverance to Judah from Assyria in Isaiah 10:24-27.

Application – If you are being exploited or afflicted by a person or nation, take comfort in the fact that it will not last forever. God promises ultimate deliverance to all who call upon His name. Persevere.

Verse 14 seems to shift back to dealing with Assyria.

Nahum 1:14 – The Lord has given commandment about you: “No more shall your name be perpetuated; from the house of your gods I will cut off the carved image and the metal image. I will make your grave, for you are vile.”

Again, vivid language is used. God is going to “make” their “grave” for they are “vile.”

Then verse 15 shifts back to Judah again.

Nahum 1:15 – Behold, upon the mountains, the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace! Keep your feasts, O Judah; fulfill your vows, for never again shall the worthless pass through you; he is utterly cut off.

God’s judgment of Assyria was good news to Judah.

Application – What encouraged you in this chapter? What challenged you?

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