Page 65 - The Minor Prophets - Student textbook

"Why did God judge Nineveh so harshly in the book of Nahum?"

The message of Nahum concerns the impending destruction of Nineveh. The Lord’s word to the
Assyrians is dire: “I am against you. . . . I will burn up your chariots in smoke, and the sword will devour
your young lions. I will leave you no prey on the earth. The voices of your messengers will no longer be
heard” (2:13). God was obviously angry with the Ninevites, and Nahum reveals why.

Nineveh had long been an enemy of Judah and Israel, the people of God. In 722 B.C., the Assyrians
defeated the northern kingdom of Israel, destroying its capital, Samaria. In 701 B.C., the Assyrians
nearly conquered Jerusalem, the capital of Judah.

The text of Nahum provides additional clues regarding God’s anger with the Ninevites. Nahum 3:1 says,
“Woe to the city of blood, full of lies, full of plunder, never without victims!” Nineveh was a city of
violence, known for its brutal treatment of those it conquered. The Assyrians were notorious for
amputating hands and feet, gouging eyes, and skinning and impaling their captives. The final verse of
Nahum’s book emphasizes the violence of the Assyrians in the form of a rhetorical question: “Who has
not felt your endless cruelty?” (Nahum 3:19).

Another reason for God’s anger against Nineveh was its extreme pride, implied in Nahum 3:8. The pride
of Nineveh may have been due in part to its wealth and power. One account reveals, “In Sennacherib's
day the wall around Nineveh was 40 to 50 feet high. It extended for 4 kilometers along the Tigris River
and for 13 kilometers around the inner city. The city wall had 15 main gates. . . . Each of the gates was
guarded by stone bull statues. Both inside and outside the walls, Sennacherib created parks, a botanical
garden, and a zoo. He built a water system containing the oldest aqueduct in history at Jerwan, across
the Gomel River” (Nelson's Bible Dictionary, p. 760).

Jesus taught, “For all who take the sword will perish by the sword” (Matthew 26:52). This truth is vividly
predicted and fulfilled in the case of Nineveh, whose warlike people were known for their brutal
treatment of enemies. Despite the military might of Nineveh, they were no match for the God of
heaven. Nineveh’s downfall was greeted as good news by Judah (Nahum 1:15) and all who had suffered
under their merciless rule (Nahum 3:19).

After Nineveh’s destruction, the site was hidden for some time (see Nahum 3:11). It was not until 1842
that modern archaeologists rediscovered its location in modern-day Iraq.

Foreshadowings: Paul repeats Nahum 1:15 in Romans 10:15 in regard to the Messiah and His ministry,
as well as the apostles of Christ in His time. It may also be understood of any minister of the Gospel
whose business it is to "preach the Gospel of peace." God has made peace with sinners by the blood of
Christ, and has given to His people the peace that “transcends all understanding” (Philippians 4:7). The
preacher’s work is also to "bring glad tidings of good things" (KJV), such as reconciliation,
righteousness, pardon, life, and eternal salvation by a crucified Christ. The preaching of such a Gospel,
and bringing such news, make their feet beautiful. The imagery here is of one who runs to others, eager
and joyful to proclaim the Good News.

Practical Application: God is patient and slow to anger. He gives every country time to proclaim Him as
their Lord. But He is not mocked. Any time a country turns away from Him to serve its own motives, He
steps in with judgment. Almost 220 years ago, the United States was formed as a nation guided by
principles found in the Bible. In the last 50 years that has changed, and we are turning daily in the

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