That Ninevah
One Year Bible: Dec. 17
Nahum 1:1-3:19
THAT NINEVAH
“The LORD is Good, a STRONG REFUGE when trouble comes. HE is CLOSE to those who TRUST in HIM.” (Nahum 1:7)
Have you wondered why we are still talking about “Jonah and his three-day cruise”? It was a “whale of a sail”...
Well, let me give you a little hint. It is found in the opening words of the book of Nahum, “This message concerning Nineveh came as a vision to Nahum, who lived in Elkosh.” (Nahum 1:1)
Did you catch that? The message was about Nineveh.
Yes, THAT VERY NINEVAH that Jonah hoped to bypass altogether.
THAT NINEVAH sent Jonah into rebellion because they were the enemy of God’s people, and they went unpunished, and Jonah despised them.
THAT NINEVAH that God had the great fish expel Jonah onto the dry land so that he could deliver them the shortest sermon ever, “Repent or be destroyed.”
THAT NINEVAH that fasted, prayed and repented as a people.
THAT NINEVAH is the very subject of Nahum’s prophecy of judgment.
Do you have a few questions? Jonah did. I sure do. In fact, I think the world is generally filled with questions about God’s mercy and judgment that are “way above our pay grade.”
Fortunately for us, through Nahum’s prophecy, we will learn more about God’s nature and truth.
Nahum’s name means “COMFORTER”, and yet his prophecy is full of “JUDGMENT.”
The short story of a very long saga is found in the book of Nahum, which we will cover in one day together. That message is, “It’s OVER for Ninevah!”
Didn’t they just repent, and why did God go to all that trouble to send Jonah and then destroy them?
Jonah did warn Ninevah, and they did repent… for a season.
Approximately 150 years later, we see God again dealing with Ninevah. Their repentance was much like “a diet.” They lost a heavy load for a season but returned to what was comfortable for them. It wasn’t a “lifestyle change.”
They had continued to lead nations into idolatry (Nah. 3:4), carried tribes into captivity, oppressed the people of Judah, and messed with “the apple of God’s eye,” Israel.
Like us, God’s people must have struggled with the question, “Are they really going to get away with this again?”
I wonder if Jonah was still around to say under his breath, “I told you so.”
Nahum’s prophecy helps us to understand this harsh message and the God that is behind the message.
First, we learn that God is a JEALOUS God, and no one is equal to Him. He is not sharing worship with idols.
Secondly, God is the one who AVENGES our enemies. Not you, me, or Jonah. God gives all mankind “a season” to repent, and after that comes judgment.
Thirdly, Nahum tells us that “God is slow to anger.” Jonah wanted God to give these evil people what they deserved 150 years sooner, but God, instead, gave them a prophet to preach to them a message of repentance.
Next, we are reminded that God is GREAT in POWER. He had the restrained power to allow Ninevah to repent and the determining POWER to discipline them and AVENGE His chosen people.
Lastly, we are reminded that GOD IS GOOD!
Sometimes, we are angry with God when He allows evil and upset when discipline and judgment come. But Nahum reminds us GOD IS GOOD. That is WHO HE IS, and HE CAN BE NO OTHER.
Yes, Nahum’s name means COMFORTER, and his message to us today is the same as in this message. God will judge; we don’t have to do that. God will forgive; it is not our place to hold a grudge against our enemies. God will deal with them in HIS TIME!
We can learn a lot of lessons from… THAT NINEVAH!
