A long time ago, in a land far away, God spoke through a prophet a message of doom. Specifically, God spoke to the people of the Assyrian empire. The Assyrians of the day (in the 7th Century BC) were not a particularly amenable people. And their actions were grievous toward God.
Although these people had rejected their creator, God was not done with them. So he sent a prophet to them with a message of doom. The man he chose was a reluctant messenger, and went as far as running away from his commission. Who can blame the prophet Jonah for not wanting to see his enemy saved, but God was insistent; as those of you familiar with the book of Jonah will know.
Despite Jonah’s lack of enthusiasm in delivering his message the people of Nineveh repented of their sins and call upon the Lord for mercy. As Jonah feared, the Lord forgave his enemies and they grew in power and wealth. It was only a few decades later that they would invade the Northern Kingdom of Israel. The Assyrians built the city of Nineveh into a mighty fortress and became complacent, again relying on their own strength and not seeking favour of the Lord.
Around one hundred years after the prophet Jonah ventured into Assyria with a warning from the Lord, God delivered another message to the people of Nineveh. This message of doom was not headed by the Assyrians. The prophet Nahum foretold of the destruction of Nineveh and the annihilation of the Assyrians.
The Lord is slow to anger and great in power,
Nahum 1:3
And the Lord will by no means leave the guilty unpunished.
The meaning of Nahum’s name is comfort, which seems a little ironic given that he brought a message of doom. However, the message, while bringing terror to the enemies of Israel was indeed a great comfort to Israel. They had been living under the tyranny of the Assyrians for some time, and at last God was going to avenge his people.
One of the great promises in the book of Nahum is that God will always bring justice in his time. Often we see bad people prospering while good people suffer. This is an anomaly that will only exist for a short time. God keeps accounts and will balance the sheet on the day of Judgement if not before.
It is not for we, who are all sinners, having transgressed the law and forsaken our creator, to judge the actions and timeliness of a holy and righteous God. Without God first reaching out to us in our sinful ways no-one could stand before Him forgiven. Only the sacrifice of Jesus, God’s son, can pay for our sins and bring forgiveness and atonement.
Do not put off your response if God is calling you today. Your day of reckoning could be tomorrow. And no matter how secure you think your fortress, your future, is it will crumble before the wrath of a holy God. Seek forgiveness like the Assyrians did when Jonah preached to them. Seek the mercy of a loving and patient God. Do not leave it to the vengeance of a just and holy God.
The tale of a city and two prophets of doom is a fascinating one. If we look at the history of the Western nations in modern times it is not hard to draw the comparison with Nineveh. Western nations responded to God as with the message of Jonah before lapsing into all manner of corruption and adultery. Forsaking our creator and turning to false idols our nations are now in the days of Nahum. Do not be at all surprised if God uses a worse nation to reprimand his people.
As the apostle Paul said to the Colossians “Therefore, treat the parts of your earthly body as dead to sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. For it is because of these things that the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience,” Col 3:5-6
Behold, on the mountains, the feet of him who brings good news,
Nahum 1:15a
Who announces peace!
Take comfort that God “keeps score” on your behalf. That injustice will be met with justice. On the day of reckoning all those who come against you with dishonour and deceit will receive their full punishment. God will pour out his wrath on all those who have not sought his grace.
Go out into the world and spread the message of doom in conjunction with the message of hope for the hurting. There is no greater calling and time is short.
God bless you.
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