Prophets of the Neo-Babylonian Period © John Stevenson, 2010

Session Objectives Distinguish the significant items of background information about the book of Nahum that bear on the meaning of the book.Distinguish the significant items of background information about the book of Nahum that bear on the meaning of the book. Examine God’s surprising and troubling method for dealing with Habakkuk's (and Israel’s) problem with the evil in Israel’s society and how that relates to the world in which we live.Examine God’s surprising and troubling method for dealing with Habakkuk's (and Israel’s) problem with the evil in Israel’s society and how that relates to the world in which we live.

Course Objectives Explore some of the key themes in Jeremiah and Ezekiel.Explore some of the key themes in Jeremiah and Ezekiel.

How did people feel when the Berlin Wall came down?

The Prophet of Nineveh’s Destruction

Nahum and Jonah Both Nahum and Jonah focus upon Assyria and their capital city of Nineveh. Both Nahum and Jonah contain prophecies of Nineveh's destruction. Both Nahum and Jonah close their books with a question.

Nahum 1:1 The oracle of Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.

Nahum 1:2 A jealous and avenging God is the LORD; The LORD is avenging and wrathful. The LORD takes vengeance on His adversaries, And He reserves wrath for His enemies.

Nahum 1:3 The LORD is slow to anger and great in power, And the LORD will by no means leave the guilty unpunished. In whirlwind and storm is His way, And clouds are the dust beneath His feet.

Nahum means “comfort” And it will come about that all who see you Will shrink from you and say, “Nineveh is devastated! Who will grieve for her? Where will I seek comforters for you?” (Nahum 3:7).~x;n"  Nacham

Lessons from Nahum God is concerned with politics and political happenings God takes it seriously when anyone hurts His people When God shows compassion, He demands that compassion is shown to others.

The Prayer & Praise of God’s Prophet

Kings of Judah Josiah Jehoahaz Jehoiakim Jehoiachin Zedekiah Jerusalem & Temple Destroyed Fall of Nineveh Zephaniah Jeremiah Daniel Ezekiel Nahum Habakkuk

Habakkuk’s Praise Habakkuk’s Problem 1:11:123:1 Problem #1: Why does God allow the wicked? Answer #1: God will bring judgment Problem #2: How can God use wicked to punish? Answer #2: God will also judge them

Habakkuk’s Praise Praise for the… Person of God Power of God Purpose of God Because of faith in God Habakkuk’s Problem 1:11:123:1 Problem #1: Why does God allow the wicked? Answer #1: God will bring judgment Problem #2: How can God use wicked to punish? Answer #2: God will also judge them

Lessons from Habakkuk’s Questions God Balances His Books in His own Time

Lessons from Habakkuk’s Questions God Balances His Books in His own Time The oracle which Habakkuk the prophet saw. 2 How long, O LORD, will I call for help, And You will not hear? I cry out to You, "Violence!" Yet You do not save. (Habakkuk 1:1-2).

Lessons from Habakkuk’s Questions God Balances His Books in His own Time Why do You make me see iniquity, And cause me to look on wickedness? Yes, destruction and violence are before me; Strife exists and contention arises. (Habakkuk 1:3).

Lessons from Habakkuk’s Questions God Balances His Books in His own Time Therefore the law is ignored And justice is never upheld. For the wicked surround the righteous; Therefore justice comes out perverted. (Habakkuk 1:4).

Lessons from Habakkuk’s Questions God Balances His Books in His own Time Look among the nations! Observe! Be astonished! Wonder! Because I am doing something in your days– You would not believe if you were told. (Habakkuk 1:5).

Lessons from Habakkuk’s Questions God Balances His Books in His own Time When God Balances His Books, He does it His own way Why does God use evil people?

Lessons from Habakkuk’s Questions God Balances His Books in His own Time When God Balances His Books, He does it His own way God Balances His Books without Partiality Five Woes Proclaimed

Lessons from Habakkuk’s Questions God Balances His Books in His own Time When God Balances His Books, He does it His own way God Balances His Books without Partiality God Ultimately Balanced His Books upon the Cross

What are some unusual and/or troubling ways God has worked His will in your own life?

Habakkuk 3:3-5 God comes from Teman, And the Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah. His splendor covers the heavens, And the earth is full of His praise. 4 His radiance is like the sunlight; He has rays flashing from His hand, And there is the hiding of His power. 5 Before Him goes pestilence, And plague comes after Him.

Habakkuk 3:13 Thou didst go forth for the salvation of Thy people, For the salvation of Thine anointed. Thou didst strike the head of the house of the evil To lay him open from thigh to neck. Selah.

Habakkuk 3:19 The Lord God is my strength, And He has made my feet like hinds’ feet, And makes me walk on my high places. For the choir director, on my stringed instruments.

Author Recipients & their circumstances Major messages or themes A creative presentation of the message of this book Jeremiah/Ezekiel