Only two days ago we witness Jonah reluctantly preaching in the streets of Nineveh and the result was a great revival, so great that Jesus spoke of it and said that the men of Nineveh will stand at the judgement and condemn the generation of Jesus day. In our reading in Nahum we must fast forward about 100 years and we find Nahum telling of the coming complete destruction of Nineveh. Apparently, the revival had been short lived and the people quickly returned to their evil ways. If you do a little historical study you will find that Nineveh, the capital city of the Assyrians, was known for its horrific brutality and ruthlessness in dealing with those they conquered...they make Hitler look nice!
I only point that out because as you read Nahum you almost want to feel sorry for those that God is pouring HIS wrath on and the text does not tell of the evil nature of the people of Nineveh! The striking thing for me is that it does not matter how nice or evil you appear everyone that dies outside of Jesus Christ will spend eternity with the full wrath of God bearing down on them...the torment and suffering will be unspeakable and it will be eternal.
If you hold Nahum in tension with our readings in Revelation you cannot help but be in awe of the Wrath of God that is to be poured out on the earth. Just like God sent Jonah to Nineveh, HE has sent countless warnings to the generation you and I live in. Think about it, our generation has more opportunity to study, read, meditate and think on the things of God than any generation of the past...we have the full counsel of God's word and we have technology to help us study HIS word and what have we done with it? How many generations will stand up at the judgement and condemn us!
If you are not in Jesus flee to HIM, run to HIM for refuge and rejoice in knowing that if you have been purchase by HIS blood you will be sheltered from the coming wrath. In Nahum 1:7 we read that, "The Lord is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble, And He knows those who take refuge in Him." Take refuge in HIM!
love,
m