Interpretation of the book of the prophet Nahum

Each of the holy prophets, in some useful and necessary task, at certain times, was called upon to serve divine beckons and transmit the highest voices to people. Some of them, frightening sinning Israel, foreshadowed future disasters for him, and if he did not want to do what was pleasing to God, they openly threatened that he would be subjected to terrible and inevitable suffering. Others, pointing out the most recent events and condoling the victims, skillfully aroused in them the determination to lead a better life, and thus prevent (divine) anger. Others feed the suffering Israel with good hope and try to instill in it the idea that those who suffered grievously for their sins will again prosper when their state of affairs returns to its original state, by the mercy and goodness and power of God, who easily transforms everything in accordance with his will. We will find a similar goal in the book that is subject to our interpretation. When the country of Judea was conquered and by reckless retreats those who offended God, their ever-present protector and helper and who gave them victory over their enemies, were taken as prisoners of war to the country of the Persians and Medes: then some of them, having already suffered this, remained amid the misfortunes of captivity and led an unbearably hard life; others could hardly get rid of the snares and escape the cruelty of the Babylonians, but for this they were in constant fear and incessant apprehension, lest they be subjected to the same or even worse disasters, with the wrath of almighty God on them and the continuation of His indignation against them. Their fear reached the point that they scattered throughout the countries of neighboring peoples and served others, including foreigners and idolaters, for pay. And this was not without harm to them; for they learned to live in accordance with the morals of those and to honor instead of God the idol that each of them found among them. Therefore, the God of all, after Jerusalem had once been burned by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar, gave the commandment to those who escaped (Jews) not to go to Egypt, on the contrary, while living at home, to stay under His protection and domestic worship (Jer. 42:9). And so, so that the Israelites, who became captives, having the hope of never returning to their homeland, did not lead a very careless life, on the contrary, they tried to get rid of condemnation, always turned to prayers and reverently worshiped the One who was able to free and deliver them, and so that those living in Judea did not have close relations with the countries of the pagans, the Prophet receives from God a vision against Nineveh (and this is the main city of the Assyrians) and foretells that it will fall, after the devastation of the whole country along with it, which was fulfilled when Cyrus, the son of Cambyses and Mandana, armed the Persians and Medes and the Elamites and with them some other nations against the city of Nineveh. He took possession of it victoriously and freed Israel from captivity and gave him the command to return home along with the sacred vessels (1 Ezra 1:11). This, in our opinion, is the purpose of the book before us. And then we will give a detailed and consistent explanation of it, to the best of our ability. You might be interested in: