I can’t help but think of Jonah while reading this book. I have to admit that I think this is the first time I have ever read Nahum. I was surprised to read that Nineveh was being destroyed. I am not good with history so I have to try real hard to understand the order of all this history we are learning. This period of time is over 100 years after Jonah had seen Nineveh repent.
“The Lord is slow to anger but great in power…”
Nineveh really messed up. It wasn’t just a little backsliding. They had returned to their grave wickedness. Nahum prophesied to Nineveh between 663 and 612 B.C.
“From you, Nineveh, has one come forth who plots evil
against the Lord and devises wicked plans.”
The Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished. The Assyrians were merciless people who had destroyed and plundered many nations. For Nineveh, the captial of the Assyrian empire, to be destroyed was a relief and cause for celebration (1:15). Nineveh had tormented Israel and Judah and now it was time they pay for rebelling against God.
While Nahum’s message was primarily for Nineveh there is much to learn from this scripture. There is encouragement in that the guilty will get what they deserve. It may seem like God is allowing the wicked to win but scripture shows us over and over that he is a just God. There is also a warning for us as Christians. We need not think we can get away with our sin. Although the eternal penalty of sin has been paid there are still consequences of sin. As our Heavenly Father he must discipline us. I am thankful he does because that means he loves me.
"Because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in." Proverbs 3:12
