Nahum prophesied against one of the most vicious enemies of God’s people. The Assyrian Empire conquered and enslaved all the nations of the world with indescribable cruelty. God had made a covenant with Abraham, “I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you.” Nahum spoke words of comfort to Judah: Nineveh, the capital city of their enemy would soon be destroyed. God would deal with the Assyrians harshly and punish them for their cruel sins.
