0 Nahum Introduction

I will cast abominable filth upon thee, and make thee vile. - Nahum 3:6

Nahum for Skeptics

There's not much new in Nahum. God continues to behave in a way that would be unacceptable for any human. But God can get away with anything.

Here are a few highlights:

  • Whirlwinds, tornadoes, earthquakes, and fires are caused by God and are signs of his anger. He dries up oceans and rivers, melts mountains, and throws stones. 1:3-6
  • He doesn't just get even. He drowns his enemies. 1:8
  • There is "much pain in all loins." 2:10
  • God will "discover thy skirts upon thy face ... show the nations thy nakedness ... and will cast abominable filth upon thee." 3:4
  • God punished Nineveh by enslaving the people and smashing the little children in the streets. 3:10
  • "Behold, thy people in the midst of thee are women." I guess this ("You're all just a bunch of women.") was the biggest insult God could think of at the moment. 3:13
  • God says that "the fire shall devour thee, the sword shall cut thee off, it shall eat thee up like the cankerworm." 3:15

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