King James Bible Study – [And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. – Mark 8:34]
Date: Monday, August 03, 2026
Chapters: Book of Nahum
Lesson: Nahum: Judgment of Nineveh
Hello My Friend,
The Book of Nahum contains three chapters, the author is Nahum and it was written to the people of Nineveh. The timeline was about 660BC. The purpose of the book was to warn them of the coming judgment, after they fell away from God. What we are to learn from the book is that God is jealous, He hates and avenges all evil, [Nahum 1:2 God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies.]
Nahum, prophesied during the reign of Hezekiah, about one hundred and fifty years after God sent Jonah to them and they had turned from their wicked ways, [Jonah 3:8-10 But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God: yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands. 9 Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not? 10 And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.]
Nineveh, had everything going for them, but sadly, Jonah was correct when he said that they would turn on God. Not only that, they became more wicked than they were before. They do not even know who God was anymore and that the judgment they were facing was from Him. God, sent Nahum to inform them of their judgment.
[Nahum 1:1-3,6 The burden of Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite. 2 God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies. 3 The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet. 6 Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him.]
In other words, who can stand before God’s extreme anger toward sin and rebellion? Until we know Christ as our Saviour we are enemies with God because of our sin, regardless of the amount of sin that we committed. Yet when we acknowledge our guilt, confess that we are sinners, and believe that Christ died to deliver us from the fiery judgment of hell, He receives us with mercy and saves our soul, [Romans 5:10-11 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.]
God, knows those who have believed on His Son and received Him as their Saviour, and He graciously accepts them as His own. God’s decision to overthrow and destroy Nineveh was not made on a whim or out of impulse. He had once spared them when they repented at Jonah’s preaching, and He would have spared them a thousand times more had they been willing to return to Him. Yet they hardened their hearts, refusing even to acknowledge His sovereignty, and therefore the judgment remained fixed. As Nahum continues, he presses the solemn question: who, in their right mind, would dare to test the limits of God’s righteous wrath?
[Nahum 1:7-11 The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him. 8 But with an overrunning flood he will make an utter end of the place thereof, and darkness shall pursue his enemies. 9 What do ye imagine against the LORD? he will make an utter end: affliction shall not rise up the second time. 10 For while they be folden together as thorns, and while they are drunken as drunkards, they shall be devoured as stubble fully dry. 11 There is one come out of thee, that imagineth evil against the LORD, a wicked counsellor.]
It is important to recognize that God was not judging Nineveh for the ordinary sins common to fallen human nature. Their transgressions were of a far darker kind, idolatry, human sacrifice, and brutal mutilation. The “wicked counselor” whom God allowed to rise among them was Sennacherib, and his influence only deepened their rebellion. Again, if Nineveh would turn away from their gods and return to God He would spare them, but this was also a warning to Judah as well.
[Nahum 1:12-14 Thus saith the LORD; Though they be quiet, and likewise many, yet thus shall they be cut down, when he shall pass through. Though I have afflicted thee, I will afflict thee no more. 13 For now will I break his yoke from off thee, and will burst thy bonds in sunder. 14 And the LORD hath given a commandment concerning thee, that no more of thy name be sown: out of the house of thy gods will I cut off the graven image and the molten image: I will make thy grave; for thou art vile.]
This was in reference to God saving Judah at the time after they had prayed with Isaiah and the angel of the LORD killed them all. The promise not to afflict them any longer is a promise from God to every saved, born-again Christian, He may afflict us when we get out of hand, but there will come a day when we will be afflicted no more, [Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.]
Thank God that no amount of human effort is required for our salvation. Yet those who have truly received Christ are drawn to His Word, offering their obedience as a grateful response to the redeeming work He accomplished on their behalf. Through faith in His Son, God pours out abundant mercy upon His people and continually delivers them, even from the snares of their own hearts. But those who deliberately make themselves vile through willful, wicked sin will be made vile through the shameful judgments that such sin inevitably brings upon them. In turning from God, they invite the very ruin that exposes their rebellion.
[Romans 1:26-28 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;]
While we cannot avoid all affliction right now it is actually necessary to keep us faithful to God otherwise we will lose sight of Him and start thinking that we can get through this life leaning on our own understanding. Again, if Nineveh would turn away from their gods and return to God He would spare them, but this was also a warning to Judah as well. As Nahum continues, God, is telling Judah that they need to get ready because judgment is coming to them as well for their sin, but He will not destroy them.
[Nahum 2:1-3 He that dasheth in pieces is come up before thy face: keep the munition, watch the way, make thy loins strong, fortify thy power mightily. 2 For the LORD hath turned away the excellency of Jacob, as the excellency of Israel: for the emptiers have emptied them out, and marred their vine branches. 3 The shield of his mighty men is made red, the valiant men are in scarlet: the chariots shall be with flaming torches in the day of his preparation, and the fir trees shall be terribly shaken.]
This is in reference to God removing the other tribes of Israel from the Northern Kingdom when He scattered them all over the world for their turning their backs on Him. While God does send the rain on the just and unjust, He cannot and will not watch those who make a mockery out of Him destroy the very things that He gave them. As for the saved, while He does chasten them, He will not destroy them and the sole reason is because of their faith in Christ, [Romans 3:22-24 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:]
It is a sad truth that the very nations once protected by God have now forgotten Him. They have become strong, cruel tyrants, void of remorse, untouched by shame, hardened against guilt, and blind to the judgments already falling upon them. Through Nahum, God, also points out that Nineveh will be emptied too.
[Nahum 2:5-8 He shall recount his worthies: they shall stumble in their walk; they shall make haste to the wall thereof, and the defence shall be prepared. 6 The gates of the rivers shall be opened, and the palace shall be dissolved. 7 And Huzzab shall be led away captive, she shall be brought up, and her maids shall lead her as with the voice of doves, tabering upon their breasts. 8 But Nineveh is of old like a pool of water: yet they shall flee away. Stand, stand, shall they cry; but none shall look back.]
This pool of water belonged to a very ancient city built by Nimrod. It functioned like a great fish pool, teeming with people, just as it had been in the days of Jonah. They were so numerous that they could be compared both to the waters themselves and to the fish within them. The city was likewise overflowing with wealth and riches. Yet Nahum declares that the waters will soon be drained from the pool; along with the multitudes, the prosperity, and the seeming strength of Nineveh. Nineveh, was also known as the seat of empire for destructive warriors of every rank, men ferocity referred to as lions. Yet even these “lions” will be destroyed.
[Nahum 2:11-13 Where is the dwelling of the lions, and the feedingplace of the young lions, where the lion, even the old lion, walked, and the lion’s whelp, and none made them afraid? 12 The lion did tear in pieces enough for his whelps, and strangled for his lionesses, and filled his holes with prey, and his dens with ravin. 13 Behold, I am against thee, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will burn her chariots in the smoke, and the sword shall devour thy young lions: and I will cut off thy prey from the earth, and the voice of thy messengers shall no more be heard.]
This is in reference to the King of Assyria, while living in Nineveh. This fool fearing that he, his family, and his wealth were likely to fall into the hands of Babylon, gathered up all his gold, silver, and royal apparel then enclosing himself, his wives, eunuchs, and concubines in fortress. It is said that he had a pile of wood stacked around it, set fire to it, and destroyed himself and them. Do you see how God does not need to lift a finger to destroy the wicked, they do so by themselves?, [Philippians 3:18-19 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)]
God, is loving and merciful, yet He is also just, and His justice will not allow sin to go unaddressed. If necessary, He will even bring down an entire nation of reprobates when their wickedness becomes fixed and unrepentant. The sins of Nineveh had been fully charged against them, and now they stood on the brink of judgment.
[Nahum 3:1,4-7 Woe to the bloody city! it is all full of lies and robbery; the prey departeth not; 4 Because of the multitude of the whoredoms of the wellfavoured harlot, the mistress of witchcrafts, that selleth nations through her whoredoms, and families through her witchcrafts. 5 Behold, I am against thee, saith the LORD of hosts; and I will discover thy skirts upon thy face, and I will shew the nations thy nakedness, and the kingdoms thy shame. 6 And I will cast abominable filth upon thee, and make thee vile, and will set thee as a gazingstock. 7 And it shall come to pass, that all they that look upon thee shall flee from thee, and say, Nineveh is laid waste: who will bemoan her? whence shall I seek comforters for thee?]
Today, the bloody city accounts to the millions of babies killed in their mothers womb by abortion, in particular the ones that were fully developed and capable of surviving. The lies and robbery account to the countless deception of politicians, the noise in the streets account to the constant violent protests, the carcasses account to the countless innocent lives lost by the ones defending the wicked. It is a sad truth that the wicked are praised while the righteous are persecuted, but the day will come when the wicked will get what is coming to them.
[II Timothy 3:1-3,15 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.].
Proud sinners create enemies within themselves, and when God sees fit to expose their wickedness, compassion from others vanishes. They bring themselves to shame and destruction by the very sins they refuse to forsake. Yes, we are saved by grace, but grace is never a license to live in sin while expecting God’s blessings and protection. If our nations refuse to heed His warnings and persist in their rebellion, God will remove them one by one, for no people can long endure when they defy the God who governs righteousness. Way too many nations believe themselves to be powerful against God, but will all find out just how powerful God is.
[Nahum 3:14-15,18-19 Draw thee waters for the siege, fortify thy strong holds: go into clay, and tread the morter, make strong the brickkiln. 15 There shall the fire devour thee; the sword shall cut thee off, it shall eat thee up like the cankerworm: make thyself many as the cankerworm, make thyself many as the locusts. 18 Thy shepherds slumber, O king of Assyria: thy nobles shall dwell in the dust: thy people is scattered upon the mountains, and no man gathereth them. 19 There is no healing of thy bruise; thy wound is grievous: all that hear the bruit of thee shall clap the hands over thee: for upon whom hath not thy wickedness passed continually?]
If our nations refuse to heed the warnings, and continue in their sin, then there will be no healing. I am convinced that the only reason why our nation is not in war right now is because of God’s faithful few who will not bow down to the wicked world. As long as we are faithful, and repentant, God’s mercy will endure until He brings us home, [Matthew 24:12-14 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. 13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.]
Today’s Prayer: God, Thank You for Your mercy and grace that saved a sinner like me when I trusted in Your Son as my Saviour. I know that I am forgiven of all my sins, past, present, and future because You no longer look at me through me, but through Your Son. You promise to never leave nor forsake me no matter what I do, and that I am saved forever no matter how many times I mess up. Lord, I do not want to sit idle, living anyway I please, without any regard for the great sacrifice You made to set me free from my sin. I want to be honorable and respectable in Your eyes, even if everyone else shuns me or mocks me for living to please Your. Lead me and guide me, give me Your power, strength, wisdom, mercy, grace, patience, and guidance to be the righteous instrument You need me to be so the lost can see You and be saved too. I ask this in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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