When Jonah preached to the people of Nineveh, he delivered a message which moved the people to repentance (Jonah 3:10, NKJV). Unfortunately, the people of Nineveh did not allow their repentance to be long-term and they soon found themselves back to their old ways. As a result, God would not overlook their sin forever and sends them another prophet to warn them of their impending judgment.
Nahum is God’s prophet of doom for the Ninevites. The Assyrian kings in Nineveh were known for being ruthless and morally corrupt; they prided themselves in the complete devastation of their enemies.[1] They were known as “the bloody city” where “the noise of a whip and the noise of rattling wheels, of galloping horses, of clattering chariots” was commonplace (Nah. 3:1ff). The people of Nineveh were proud, believing that none could stand up against them, but they failed to account for the Almighty God – “Who can stand before His indignation? And who can endure the fierceness of His anger” (Nahum 1:6)? The actions of the Ninevites had placed them in a position where God was “against [them]” (Nahum 2:13; 3:5). As a result, Nineveh would be made “empty, desolate, and waste” (Nahum 2:10). God’s wrath was coming down on the people of Nineveh due to their own wicked actions. God would make it so that it would “come to pass that all who look upon [Nineveh] will flee …, and say, ‘Nineveh is laid waste!’” (Nahum 3:7).
While Nahum’s message focuses heavily on the impending doom of Nineveh, his prophecy still contains a message of hope for the faithful. Nahum reminds the faithful that “the LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him” (Nahum 1:7). Moreover, Nahum writes of the good news for the faithful once God’s judgment has come and “the wicked one shall no more pass through you; he is utterly cut off” (Nahum 1:15).
While the book of Nahum is specific to God’s judgment on Nineveh, there is still great application to be made for us today. If we are not careful, we can easily become like the people of Nineveh. We can have our sins forgiven but quickly turn back to our old ways. We can easily allow pride to overtake us and trust too much in our physical strength. If we find ourselves in such a situation, then like the people of Nineveh, we have found ourselves as enemies of God (cf. Nahum 2:13; 3:5). We will find ourselves like the people of Nineveh, awaiting our impending doom. Instead of making this our end, let us live faithfully to God like the faithful remnant in the days of Nahum, knowing that our God is “a stronghold in the day of trouble” (Nahum 1:7). May we look to the good news that has been delivered to us through the gospel that the enemy has been defeated (cf. Nahum 1:15; Rom. 10:15).
[1] James E. Smith, The Minor Prophets (Joplin, MO: College Press, 2009), 377.
By: Preston McElyea