November 29, 2021
What does it say?
Nahum prophesied the destruction of Nineveh by God’s fierce wrath and His deliverance of Judah from Nineveh’s oppression.
What does it mean?
God had been merciful to the people of Nineveh, previously accepting their repentance and sparing their city. In the 100 years between the time of Jonah and Nahum, however, Nineveh again made themselves the enemies of God. They returned to their wickedness, destroyed Israel’s capital city of Samaria, and invaded Judah. God’s holiness required that Nineveh be judged. Nineveh’s destruction would also free His people from their cruel oppression. God’s just and holy nature is expressed by His wrath on sin. His character is perfectly balanced, patiently giving time for repentance.
How should I respond?
Our understanding of a person’s character is usually one-dimensional: loving, generous, jealous, unkind, and so on. Maybe that’s why it’s so difficult for our finite minds to grasp the character of God – seemingly opposite character traits working in perfect unison. For instance, God’s justice on sin and mercy for the sinner are both seen in the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. Until Christ’s return, God mercifully gives sinners time to repent, but His holy nature cannot leave the guilty unpunished forever. How will you show God’s love today with those who are in danger of His judgment?