Aug 17 2006
Slow to Anger, But Not Forever
Scripture is clear that God is patient, slow to anger, and not willing that anyone should perish under His judgement (Ps. 103:8; Nah. 1:3; 2 Pet. 3:9). Yet even the patience of God has its limits. He will not allow sin to go unchecked forever. Sooner or later, He will deal with evil those who commit it, ans when He does, His wrath is likely to come rather swiftly (Gen. 19:24; 2 Pet. 3:10).
The wrath of God fell on Nineveh in about 612 BC when a coalition of Babylonians, Scythians, and Medes penetrated the city’s seemingly impregnable defences after sudden floods eroded the walls (compare Nah. 2:6–8). The invaders quickly turned Nineveh—which was second only to Babylon in size—into a mass of smoking rubble. This event came nearly a century and a half after Jonah was sent to warn the Assyrians of God’s impending judgement (Jon. 3).
Initially the Ninevites repented of their wickedness and idolatry with sackcloth and fasting. They cried out to God for mercy, and the Lord stayed His hand. But this spiritual awakening was apparently short-lived.
The Book of Nahum points out the limits of short-term repentance. God leaves rebellious sinners unpunished only for so long (Ex. 34:6–7). His grace is free, but it is not cheap. It does not allow people to continue to do whatever they wish, without guilt and without consequence. the Lord will not allow lying, killing, violence, and idolatry, such as the Assyrians practised (Nah. 3:1–4), to go unabated or unpunished. Eventually He will act to put an end to them.
Having once experienced God’s forgiveness as a result of Jonah’s preaching, the people of Nineveh were that much more responsible. To whom much is given—or forgiven—much will be required (Luke 12:48). In the time of Jonah, Nineveh had been forgiven of enormous sins. Yet the Assyrians did not follow up their short-term repentance with long-term changes, especially in the public sector. Perhaps if they had, Nahum’s woeful message might have been directed elsewhere.
God is a God of justice. He cannot just keep on overlooking the sins of people who have no interest in making a genuine break with evil. Nor can he turn His back on the cruel injustices of nations such as Assyria. To do so would be to ignore the prayers of the victims (compare Nah. !:12, 15)
From The Word in Life™ Study Bible, copyright © 1993, 1996 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission.