Nahum & Habakkuk
Nahum & Habakkuk
Both books have some similarities:
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They both prophesy the destruction of alien nations: Assyria in Nahum and Babylon in Habakkuk. Both are great empires at the time of the prophets. History tells us that Assyria destroyed Israel in 722 BC and Babylon defeated Judah in 586 BC. In Nahum's time, Israel has already been conquered by Assyria. In Habakkuk's time, however, Judah has not yet been conquered by Babylon, since Habakkuk complained to God for the injustice and violence in Judah. (Hab 1:2-4)
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God will raise strong army to conquer the two nations in their times. (Nahum 2:1-4; 3:2-3) (Hab 2:7; 3:16) As history reveals, Assyria was conquered by Babylon in 612 BC, which in turn was conquered by Persia in 539 BC.
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The prophets give us a clear message: God is the revenger. (Nahum 1:2-3,6,14; 2:13; 3:5-6) (Hab 2:2-3,13,16,20; 3:3-6,8-16)
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Reasons for their destruction:
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i. God punished them for destroying Israel and Judah and capturing His people. Assyria captured the people of Israel whereas Babylon captured the people of Judah. (Nahum 2:2) (Hab 1:6-10) There’s another reason for destroying Assyria, which is to save the people of Judah from the hands of Assyria after the nation of Israel is destroyed. (Nahum 1:13,15)
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ii. Both nations worship idols. God will cut off the graven and molten images of their gods. (Nahum 1:14) (Hab 2:18-19)
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iii. Both nations are never satisfied to increase their wealth by spoiling the surrounding nations. Babylon extends its boundary with no end by conquering the nations. By creating battles with the nations, it keeps producing violence. It is covetous and its desire is never satisfied. As it spoils the nations to increase its wealth, it will be spoiled too. (Hab 2:4-8) Assyria also does the same to increase its treasure. It will bear the same consequence of being spoiled. (Nahum 2:9)
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iv. Both nations make neighbors shameful. Assyria makes the neighbors follow its whoredoms by practicing witchcrafts. (Nahum 3:4) Babylon makes its neighbors get drunk and expose their nakedness. (Hab 2:15) Thus, both nations will be naked and be put to shame by becoming desolate. (Nahum 1:8-9; 2:10; 3:5-7,17) (Hab 2:16)
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v. Both nations shed blood and violence. (Nahum 3:1,19) (Hab 2:8,12,17)