Nahum

1. Write one paragraph explaining the historical background and purpose of the prophet.

Nahum was written by none other than Nahum! The people of Nineveh were rescued by the prophesy of Jonah, repented and came to the Lord but soon fell back to the plunder of sin. Nahum is written after the Assyrians conquered the Jews (2:2) as an prophesy and a promise of the destruction of their city. It is written to the Jews giving them assurance that God hasn't forgotten them and showing that justice will be served to Nineveh for what they have done. And that one day His goodness will truly reign over all the earth. (1:12-13) We see a lot of the plans of destruction and the reasons why God is going to so severely punish his enemies- their wickedness (1:9-11, 2:1,13, 3:5).

2. What does this book show you about the character and nature of God?

He rescues the oppressed and punishes the oppressor (text quoted above), He is “good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in him. But he will sweep away his enemies”(1:7). He is a just God, full of venegeance and rage for all who oppose Him. He never lets the guilty go unpunished (1:2-3). He is powerful, so much so that even the mountains quake, the hills melt away and the earth tembles in His presence (1:5). He is restorer (2:2), He means business (chapters 1,2 &3) and is an enemy to those who work against Him and don't obey His commands (2:1, 13, 3:5).

3. What does this book show about God's redemptive plan for mankind?
   Simply God saving Judah from Assyria (1:13, 1:15) by destroying them and putting them on display (3:5-7). He's still sticking to His promise of redeeming, restoring, and saving His chosen people. It's a crazy situation to observe- because He loves Judah and needs to discipline them, He uses Assyria to take them into exile, but then He punishes Assyria for all of their sin and pride and foolish things they did to the Jews. He is just and redeems His people and shows them of His faithfulness to them by then punishing those who treated them cruely.