After Jonah: The Sequel For Nineveh

Nahum is the sequel to the book of Jonah. Assyria, whose capital was Nineveh, was exceptionally bloodthirsty and evil. The repentance there under Jonah was unprecedented and never repeated anywhere. But it wasn’t the end of the story. God used Nahum to predict the total destruction of the city which returned to wickedness: Nahum 1:1 (LSB): The oracle of Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite. From the few things Nahum writes which allow us to zero in on the timing, it appears it was only 20 to 50 years from Nahum’s prophecy until the total destruction of Nineveh.

There’s nothing complicated in Nahum, just the sober and straightforward word from God that He was going to judge the evil nation Assyria and her capital Nineveh for idolatry and cruelty. The repentance of the Ninevites was genuine–Jesus Himself said so. But alas, as majestic as was the glory of God’s grace showered upon Nineveh in the days of Jonah, genuine faith in the true God waned in the following generations. Old patterns resurfaced. Assyria crumbled from within because they spurned God and forfeited His blessings.

It’s interesting that God didn’t tell Jonah what was ultimately going to happen to Nineveh. God knew all about it, but it wasn’t Jonah’s place to know. Remember that! Living by faith does not come with details about what’s going to happen. You need to seek God’s wisdom, make your choices, and trust Him to work through them. God does not owe you explanations.

The opening line in the trailer to the movie sequel to Jonah would be “Nahum: God’s Vengeance” if not “Nineveh: The Sequel.”

1. Wrath Is Poured Out Like Fire (Chapter 1)
2. Behold, I Am Against You (Chapter 2)
3. Your Wound Is Incurable (Chapter 3)