Nahum: The God Who Judges, The God Who Saves
There are parts of the Bible we rarely visit, and Nahum is often one of them. Yet this short prophecy is very relevant for our generation. It reminds us that God is not only the Saviour who delights in mercy—as Jonah discovered—but also the Judge who acts in righteousness, as Nahum boldly announced.
Jonah's ministry resulted in the repentance of Nineveh. Nahum's ministry, about a century later, announced the judgment of God upon the same people. One hundred (or perhaps 150) years separate these two books. Still, the lesson is timeless: when you forget what God has done for you, you set yourself up for trouble, i.e. God's judgment.
1. The Core Message of Nahum
G. Campbell Morgan summarised Nahum's message like this:
"The core of the predictive message of Nahum was the utter destruction of a great city and a great people by the will and act of God."
R. K. Harrison adds: "In this small prophecy of doom, the author demonstrated… that the God of the nation whom the Assyrians had despised was in fact the artificer and controller of all human destiny."
This is not merely history. It is a reality for us in our current world. It is gospel truth.
The New Testament affirms the same truth:
• God rules over nations — "He has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness" (Acts 17:31).
• God's justice is perfect — "Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right" (Genesis 18:25, echoed in the NT principle of divine justice).
Nahum reminds us that God is not passive. He acts, He intervenes, and He judges.
2. The Character of the Ninevites
The Ninevites had forgotten their recovery and revival. They returned to committing violence, idolatry, and arrogance (Nahum 2:3–5, 11–13; 3:1–4, 6–7, 19). Their repentance under Jonah had not been passed on to the next generation.
The New Testament warns us of the same danger:
• "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." (Galatians 6:7–8)
• "As you did it… so it will be done to you." (Obadiah 15, echoed in NT sowing/reaping)
Nineveh sowed violence. They reaped destruction.
3. The Meaning of Nahum's Name
Nahum means comfort or consolation. Strange, isn't it, that a book of judgment should bear such a name? Yet for Judah—threatened by Assyria—this prophecy was indeed a comfort. God had not forgotten His people.
The gospel carries the same paradox:
Judgment for sin, comfort for the sinner who turns to Christ.
• "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners" (1 Timothy 1:15).
• "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1).
Judgment is real—but so is salvation.
4. The Location and Date of Nahum
Nahum was from Elkosh—possibly a town in southern Judah, or perhaps Capernaum ("Nahum's town"). His interest in Judah (1:15; 2:2) fits well with this.
The book was written between 663 and 654 BC, after the fall of Thebes (No-Amon) but before its recovery.
These details matter because they anchor the prophecy in real history. The gospel is the same: not myth, not legend, but rooted in time, place, and eyewitness testimony.
• "We have not followed cunningly devised fables" (2 Peter 1:16).
• "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us" (John 1:14).
5. Structure of Nahum
1. The Character of God, the Judge (1:1–8)
2. Certainty of the Doom of Nineveh (1:9–15)
3. Description of the Siege (2:1–12)
4. God's Determination to Destroy the City (2:13–3:19)
This is not random anger. It is ordered, righteous, measured judgment.
6. Over‑Riding Principles
a) God used nations—but holds them accountable
Isaiah teaches that God used Assyria to discipline Israel (Isaiah 7:17; 10:5–6). But He also judged Assyria for its cruelty (Isaiah 10:7–19; Zephaniah 2:13–15).
D. W. Baker writes:
"Even though God has chosen Assyria… he holds that nation corporately responsible for the excesses and atrocities committed in fulfilling this role."
This is the biblical tension between:
• God's sovereignty — "He has mercy on whom he will have mercy" (Romans 9:18).
• Human responsibility — "Everyone of us shall give account of himself to God" (Romans 14:12).
Both truths meet at the cross.
b) God's justice is unchanging
• "He will judge the world in righteousness" (Acts 17:31).
• "The wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23).
c) You reap what you sow
• "Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap" (Galatians 6:7).
• Nineveh sowed violence; they reaped destruction.
7. The Gospel in Nahum
Nahum is not merely about Nineveh. It is about us.
• Nineveh forgot its revival.
• Humanity forgets God.
• Nineveh faced judgment.
• Humanity faces judgment.
• Judah found comfort in God's justice.
• We find comfort in Christ's cross.
The New Testament brings the message home:
• "It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment." (Hebrews 9:27)
• "Christ died for our sins… was buried… and rose again the third day." (1 Corinthians 15:3–4)
Judgment is certain.
Salvation is available.
The choice is urgent.
Conclusion: Nahum's Message for Today
Nahum reminds us that:
• God sees.
• God remembers.
• God judges.
• God saves.
The same God who destroyed Nineveh offers eternal life through His Son.
• "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." (Acts 16:31)
Nahum's name means comfort. And the greatest comfort of all is this:
• "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." (1 Timothy 1:15)
Do not repeat Nineveh's mistake—revived once, but hardened later.
May you run to the Saviour while mercy is still offered.
All photos courtesy of Unsplash
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