A Walk Through the Bible – Nahum
Scripture Texts: Nahum 1:1-3; Nahum 1:7-8; Nahum 1:15; Nahum 3:8-10; Nahum 3:18-19
Introduction.
Jonah and Nahum. Two books, two prophecies, two revelations of the full character of God, His goodness and His severity, the oceanic breadth of His mercy and the volcanic heat of His judgment.
We cheer the salvation of a city in Jonah only to shudder at the annihilation of the same city a century and a half later in Nahum.
Nahum did not write this book as a warning or “call to repentance” for the people of Nineveh. Nahum means comfort. How is God’s judgment on Assyria and Nineveh a comfort? Nahum was telling the people of Judah to not despair because God had pronounced judgment and the Assyrians would soon be getting just what they deserved.
God is just and faithful to His promises and this means relief and joy to those living in fear of enemies. Nineveh’s destruction is linked to the character and nature of God. Evil doers of every age face the same fate.
Two themes, the destruction of God’s enemies and the salvation of God’s people. This is how the kingdom of God will be realized. Without the defeat of His enemies there is no real peace.