Nineveh was the capital of Assyria, a brutish people who had crushed Israel. The city had once repented when warned by Jonah of God's coming wrath, but returned again to evil and worse, "Woe to the bloody city, all full of lies and plunder-no end to the prey!" (Nahum 3:1). This time, there would be no warning, but an announcement of doom, and no nation would shed a tear over her demise; rather, "all who hear the news about you clap their hands over you" (Nahum 3:19).
"The Lord is a jealous and avenging God; the Lord is avenging and wrathful; the Lord takes vengeance on his adversaries and keeps wrath for his enemies" (Nahum 1:2). We struggle with the word "jealous" because sinful people enviously desire to possess what others have; but the jealousy of God is the loving desire to protect the people who belong to him. "Behold, I am against you, declares the Lord of hosts" of Nineveh (Nahum 3:5). This was welcome news to Judah, for when her sister Israel had been carted off by Assyria, Judah wondered if she were next.
"The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him" (Nahum 1:7). These are not the words of the watchmaker god of the deist who winds up creation and turns her loose to run her course. This is the Lord of heaven and earth, who is an intimate father and passionately protective of his people.
Daily Prayer
Lord God, Maker of the heavens and the earth, God outside of time and space, Creator of time and space, Author of life, the beginning and the end, Eternal Father, Savior and Lord, Yahweh, I Am That I Am.
Thank You for loving me.
Amen
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