The Successful Basis of Justice

The Difficulty of Nahum 3

Nahum chapter 3 contains difficult and challenging language. But the third and final chapter of Nahum isn't difficult to stomach because of the harsh language. It is difficult because of the success of justice—the reality of God providing a prophecy of Nineveh's destruction that came true. This large city was destroyed, announced by God beforehand.

It is also difficult because in the three chapters of Nahum, there has never been an offer of salvation or repentance to Nineveh. Salvific language has been used toward Judah and Israel, but Nineveh receives no second chance. Nineveh will receive God's justice. It demonstrates inconsolability—no comfort for Nineveh. This is strange because Nahum, whose name means "comfort," provides no comfort for them.

This prophecy is difficult primarily because it establishes the surety of God's justice and judgment upon sin. Nahum prophesies against Nineveh to provide comfort for God's people. The comfort comes from recognizing God's justice and judgment, satisfied in Christ, so we won't experience what is prophesied for Nineveh. Christ has taken our guilt and punishment.

Behold, I am against you, declares the Lord of hosts, and I will lift up your skirts over your face, and show to the nations your nakedness, and to the kingdoms your disgrace. I will throw filth on you, and make you vile, and set you up as a spectacle.

Nahum 3:5-6

From Jonah to Nahum: Ignorance to Arrogance

There are only two books in the Bible that end with questions: Jonah and Nahum. Jonah ends with God's question: "Should I not have compassion on Nineveh, that great city with more than 120,000 people who cannot tell their right hand from their left?" Nahum closes with: "Upon whom has not your incessant evil come?"

Comparing Jonah and Nahum gives a significant impression. Salvation and repentance were offered to Nineveh through Jonah. God showed compassion on a people expressing ignorance. But Nahum portrays Nineveh not as ignorant, but arrogant—high-handed, deliberate, continual sinning without bounds, extending beyond the city into nations.

If we continue to willingly practice sin, we will be barred from eternal life. Scripture contains indiscriminate warning passages against continuing to deliberately practice sin. The cross fully purchases salvation, but the result of sins matters. God judging a city of 120,000—a prominent city that takes three days to walk across, even with a zoo—shows God is serious about sin, even for those who repented a hundred years prior. Continuing to practice sin, even while professing belief, evidences a lack of saving grace.

You might think this is harsh—this passage is about Nineveh, not us. What can we gain? Notice verse 6: God will "throw filth at you... treat you with contempt and make you a spectacle." More literally, an example. Nineveh was set as an example in the seventh century BC and in our day. To miss this is to miss benefit for God's people and warning for the unrepentant.

Benefits for Believers

If salvation is genuine and secure, why study judgment? It is an instrument God uses to keep His people—through studying His judgment and justice.

If we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries.

Hebrews 10:26-27

This warns Christians against stagnation, lack of progress, or not serving. Look upon God's judgment to motivate perseverance, shake off lethargy. Don't be pew potatoes. Don't engage in fast food Christianity. The church serves you, but also provides an avenue for you to serve and glorify the Lord.

Examining judgment helps Christians view sin correctly—this is God's response to sin. It helps view grace correctly.

Beloved, although I was eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith... For certain people have crept in unnoticed... ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.

Jude 3-4

Grace isn't a license to sin; it's a reason not to sin. Seeing God take sin seriously counters those who pervert grace.

Another benefit: When you behold God's wrath on sin—poured on Christ—you gain the attitude to treat sin as God treats it: with hostility, not hospitality.

And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

Galatians 5:24

Three Things to Keep in Mind

Three things to focus on in Nahum 3:

1. This could be you if you are not a believer

Nineveh's judgment could be yours.

2. This can't be you if you are a believer

Judgment was received by Jesus instead of you. This motivates viewing sin and grace correctly and provides comfort—Nahum's purpose for God's people.

3. This should be your attitude if you are a believer

Have the same attitude toward your sin as God has toward Assyria's.

God uses Assyria's own mockery—calling enemy soldiers "women"—against them. Nineveh is a murdering city, full of lies, faithless, cruel to allies—portrayed as a prostitute.

Because of the countless whorings of the prostitute, graceful and of deadly charms, who betrays nations with her whorings and peoples with her charms.

Nahum 3:4

"Charms" translates to "pharmakon"—drugs for healing, hallucination, or poison. Nineveh drew people in with promises, then enslaved and exploited them, getting entertainment from suffering. Excavated texts prove their obsession with sorcery. God responds justly to their atrocities.

Behold, I am against you, declares the Lord of hosts, and I will lift up your skirts over your face, and show to the nations your nakedness, and to the kingdoms your disgrace.

Nahum 3:5

God exposes existing shame, not creates it. Hiding is a trait of the guilty. Unbelievers avoid light to hide sin.

For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.

John 3:20

Jesus bore your public shame on the cross, creating horror and gratitude. Sin is shameful. God throws "filth"—an abomination associated with idolatry—back at them.

People shrink from Nineveh: "Wretched as Nineveh! Who will grieve for her? Where shall I seek comforters for you?" Nahum the Comforter offers none. No easing of hurt; the wound festers without remedy—even for a city practicing medicine.

God compares Nineveh to Thebes (No-Amon), a strong city Assyria conquered in 663 BC. Are you better than Thebes? Assyria's conquest means nothing now. Are we better than Ninevehites? No—but believers have Christ, who gives value.

Verses 12-17 describe the siege: fortifications like ripe figs falling, people like women, gates open, guards like locusts fleeing. Shepherds (rulers) sleep; people scattered. Lions become sheep without protection.

The close celebrates justice, not violence—freedom from oppression. God doesn't delight in the wicked's death but prefers repentance. For believers, justice is satisfied in Christ; celebrate freedom, not sin's presence.

Final Exhortation

Nahum shows disdain for sin's oppression. God deals justly, sets free, gives new life. But it's too late for Nineveh—no repentance offered.

Abraham said, "They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them." And he said, "No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent." He said to him, "If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead."

Luke 16:29-31

This is one of those prophets—listen to Nahum.