Consolation: A Study in NahumNäide

What does it say?

Nahum prophesied that Nineveh would be in ruins with her humiliation exposed for all to see, yet none of the surrounding nations would pity the city’s people.

What does it mean?

The destruction of Nineveh is a reminder that God is the King of all nations, not just those that submit to His authority. Nahum tried to warn the proud, idol-worshipping city by citing the fall of No Amon (Thebes); even the powerful Assyrians couldn’t withstand God’s wrath. Likewise, the Lord would punish Nineveh according to the violence they inflected upon surrounding nations. As a result, they would be no better off than the nations they had brutally conquered, with no one to mourn the fallen city.

How should I respond?

Our society is rapidly approaching a post-Christian era – some scholars and theologians say we are already there. What evidence is there? Common beliefs include that there are many roads to Heaven, truth is relative, morals are situational, and humanity's own reasoning is central. The Lordship of Christ, however, isn’t determined by whether our society believes it to be true – He is King. How often do you pray for our nation? Like the Nineveh of Jonah’s time, pray for national repentance before God judges our country like the Nineveh of Nahum’s time. Ask God to use you to help bring about revival in our country.