Two prophets – Jonah and Nahum – two very different perspectives on Nineveh, the capital city of Assyria. The book of Jonah clearly acknowledges the transgressions of Nineveh, but Jonah preaches and calls for repentance and, at the end of the day, “When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it.”(Jonah 3:10). The last word from Nahum, on the other hand, is: “There is no easing your hurt; your wound is grievous. All who hear the news about you clap their hands over you. For upon whom has not come your unceasing evil?” (Nahum 3:19 ESV)
As emphasized, over and over again in the Bible, those who reject the Lord and his commands find themselves in a desperate and dangerous position under the wrath of God. On the other hand, how gracious is our God, and he forgives all who will repent and come to him.
Seek the Lord who now is present, pray to One who is at hand.
Let the wicked cease from sinning, evildoers change their mind.
On the sinful God has pity; those returning God forgives.
This is what the Lord is saying to a world that disbelieves. --Fred Pratt Green
Comments