The main theme of Nahum chapter three is the end of Nineveh’s “endless cruelty”. The time has come for Nineveh to face divine reckoning for its wickedness before the God of the universe. The policies of Nineveh toward the nations and God’s people are now coming back to haunt them. In our text Nahum will expose: Nineveh’s cruelty, vulnerability, corruption, and the response of the nations. In a sense we will see the destruction deserved. May our hearts be stirred towards sincere repentance.

For many years, the Assyrian empire conquered nations and scattered the people all over the kingdom. Now Assyria is about to be conquered and scattered as an act of divine justice. We learn that God’s justice against His enemies parallels His restoration of His people. There is no enemy the Lord cannot defeat. This is wonderful news or horrendous news, and this is why we need Jesus.

Nahum decrees that God would deal with Assyria by completely destroying them, and the people of God would be redeemed. It is both devastating as we see the power of God on display and comforting knowing that the Lord is the redeemer of His people. Because the Lord redeems His people, it calls for rejoicing.

Nahum begins his oracle in a tone that might shock us today starting in verse two. The prophet wastes no time getting to the heart of the issue. The fact that God is not pleased. In these verses Nahum gives us five declarations of the Lord. The only response to these declarations is to take refuge in the cross of Christ.

Nahum’s revelation of the Word of God needs to be heard in every generation. Where people are warned of the coming judgment of God, so that they will throw themselves on God’s mercy and look to Christ. Where people will be comforted by God’s judgment, knowing that vengeance belongs to the Lord, He will vindicate and make every wrong in the world right.