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"The burden against Nineveh"

Text: Nahum 1:1

DEEP CONCERN ABOUT THE ASSYRIAN EMPIRE

Nahum began his prophecy with these solemn words. The message he received from the Lord was indeed a “burden” upon his heart!

“The burden against Nineveh.
The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.”
Nahum 1:1

1. “The burden against Nineveh”

a) The word “burden” describes the following things:

i) It was a message from the Lord.

ii) It was a heavy message that weighed upon the heart of the prophet.

b) Nineveh

i) Jonah was instructed to preach to the Ninevites.

ii) The sinful deeds of the Ninevites were so bad they reached Heaven (Jonah 1:2).

c) Other prophets who used the word “burden”:

i) Habakkuk (Habakkuk 1:1)

ii) Malachi (Malachi 1:1)

2. Other prophets who wrote about Assyria

a) Isaiah (Isaiah 10, 14, 36-37)

b) Micah (Micah 5)

3. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite

a) Nothing else is known about Nahum apart from this statement.

b) His focus was not about himself or his ministry.

c) His focus was understanding the vision that God had given to him.

4. The prophetic vision

a) The word “vision” describes the way God communicated His word to His prophets.

b) The prophet would be given “visions” of events that would take place in the future.

c) Embedded in the vision was a message from the Lord.

i) The message had to be carefully understood.

ii) It would require the prophet to seek God in prayer.

iii) The message would then be preached or written down; sometimes both activities.