nineveh

Nahum: The God Who Brings Justice and Comfort

The Curious PilgrimLeave a comment

The Book of Nahum is a brief but powerful message of God’s justice and mercy. Written sometime between 663 and 612 BCE, Nahum’s prophecy announces the downfall of Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian Empire — a nation known for its arrogance, violence, and cruelty. The Assyrians had crushed Israel and terrorized their neighbors, believing themselves unstoppable.

But Nahum declares that God had not forgotten the cries of the oppressed. The prophet speaks of a God who is both mighty in power and rich in mercy — a God who will not allow injustice to stand forever.

“The Lord is slow to anger but great in power; the Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished.” — Nahum 1:3
“The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble; He cares for those who trust in Him.” — Nahum 1:7

These verses capture the balance of God’s nature: just and merciful, righteous and kind. Nahum’s name means comfort, and that is exactly what this book offers — comfort to those who suffer under oppression, reminding them that evil has its day, but not the final word.

The empires of the world rise and fall, but the reign of God endures. In every generation, there is a “Nineveh” — a power or system that exalts itself above justice and compassion. Nahum reminds us that God’s justice will prevail and that His people can always find refuge in His care.

In a time when arrogance and cruelty often seem to dominate headlines, Nahum’s words speak deeply to our hearts. God’s justice may appear delayed, but it is never denied. God still brings down the proud and lifts up the humble. And for those who trust in Him, even in the darkest moments, there is peace in knowing that God is both our Judge and our Refuge.

Prayer

Righteous and Merciful God,
You see the suffering of the innocent and hear the cries of the oppressed. You are slow to anger and rich in love, yet You do not let evil go unpunished. Help me to live with faith in Your justice and to find comfort in Your goodness.
When the world feels dark and unjust, remind me that You are my refuge, my strength, and my peace.
Teach me to be an agent of Your justice and a bearer of Your compassion.
In the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, I pray. Amen.

Blessing

(From Hymn 666, United Methodist Hymnal)

Shalom to you now, shalom, my friends.
May God’s full mercies bless you, my friends.
In all your living and through your loving,
Christ be your shalom, Christ be your shalom.

Jonah: The Reluctant Prophet and the Boundless Mercy of God

The Curious PilgrimLeave a comment

Today, I read the Book of Jonah — a story that, though short, reaches deep into the heart of what it means to know God. It’s a tale filled with humor, irony, and divine tenderness. On the surface, it’s the story of a prophet who runs away from his calling. But beneath that simple narrative lies a profound lesson about mercy, prejudice, and the wideness of God’s compassion.

A Message Beyond the Whale

God calls Jonah to go to Nineveh — a powerful and violent city, the capital of Israel’s enemies. Instead of obeying, Jonah runs the other way. He would rather face a storm at sea and the belly of a great fish than see God show mercy to people he despises.

But God’s mercy cannot be outrun. After Jonah’s reluctant obedience, Nineveh repents. The people fast, pray, and turn from their violence. And God spares them. Jonah, instead of rejoicing, grows angry. It is in that moment — under a withering vine and a scorching sun — that God reveals the story’s heart: “Should I not be concerned for Nineveh?”

This question echoes through the centuries, asking each of us: Shouldn’t we care, too?

The Meaning for Our Time

In today’s divided world, Jonah’s story feels strikingly modern. We live in an age of “us versus them” — where politics, religion, and identity have become walls instead of bridges. Like Jonah, we sometimes hope that God will vindicate us and punish “the other side.”

Yet Jonah reminds us that God’s love is larger than our fears and prejudices. The same mercy that reached a foreign city also reaches us. God cares not just for those who call on His name, but for all people — even those we find hardest to love.

The story asks us to let go of our anger, our moral superiority, and our certainties about who deserves grace. It calls us to become instruments of compassion in a world hungry for forgiveness.

A Personal Reflection

When I think about Jonah, I see my own resistance mirrored in his. There are times I would rather avoid the places God calls me to — especially when those places involve forgiveness, humility, or speaking truth in uncomfortable settings. Yet God patiently pursues me, not to punish but to teach. The story of Jonah reminds me that faith is not just about obedience — it’s about allowing my heart to be transformed by love.

A Prayer

Gracious God, teach me to see the world as You see it. When I am tempted to run from Your calling, give me courage to obey. When I wish for judgment, teach me mercy. Open my heart to love those I find difficult to understand. May Your compassion flow through me, healing what is broken in our world. Amen.