Nahum: The Good Judgment of Godনমুনা

The Good Judgment of God

The book of Nahum is a prophecy from Nahum against Nineveh, the capital city of Assyria, likely given around 640-615 BC. It prophesied the coming destruction of the evil Assyrian empire, and the freedom Israel will experience after its downfall.

In some ways, the book of Nahum is a sequel to the book of Jonah, where God told Jonah to preach repentance to Nineveh. This happened in the first half of the 8th century BC. Repentance didn’t last too long; in the second half of 8th century Assyria became a military power by horrifically taking over other nations. In 722, Assyria overtook the northern kingdom of Israel.

When Nahum arrived on the scene, the southern kingdom of Judah was still around, though it was a vassal state to Assyria and under Assyria’s grip. (Judah, Israel's southern kingdom, lasted around 120 more years longer than the northern kingdom).

This book is about God’s character and His judgment of evil. It is also an invitation for us to remember the proper way to read and understand Scripture. Scripture is not about us, but about God: who He is, His character, and how we can know Him. Books like Nahum invite us to learn more about who our God is.

Nahum begins by referencing Exodus 34:6-7 in verse 2 to explain who God is. He is jealous. In Hebrew, jealous can mean advocating for someone else’s benefit, like a parent is “jealous”, or caring, for their children. Therefore, God will ultimately avenge and judge evil. Nothing that is wrong can stand before the Lord.

In our day it's easy to trust in technology, science, and “progress” to save and lead us. We forget how weak and powerless we actually are. Just like Nineveh, we trust in our power and wealth. Nahum’s point in these verses is that even things that seem powerful and strong are no match for the Lord.

In verse 7 we see God’s motivation for why He avenges evil: God is good and cares for those who take refuge in Him. His goodness is why He is jealous for His people and why He brings wrath on evil. This truth is why Paul can write in Romans 12:19-21 that we should conquer evil with good, because vengeance belongs to the Lord.

Nahum then talks about how Nineveh and her idols will be destroyed. Though God has punished Israel for their own evil and unfaithfulness, He will now redeem them and rescue them from their oppressor. When this happens, Israel can celebrate with joy and worship the Lord freely once again.

Ultimately, Nahum chapter 1 shows us that evil will be met with grace or judgment, but it will be met. In His goodness, God must confront evil, and He will one day confront all evil. Jesus came to experience God’s right judgment against evil for us. All we have to do is accept the gift of grace that He offers.

Today’s reflection

Knowing that God is good and therefore will confront evil, and at the same time knowing He wants to offer us grace, why can we be at times so reluctant to ask Him for grace?