Throughout Scripture, especially in the book of Psalms and Proverbs, God’s people are told not to be envious of the wicked even when they prosper (Psalm 37:1, 7-8; Proverbs 3:31; 23:17; 24:1, 19.) If we are honest, most of us at one time or another has asked the question, “Why don’t bad things happen to bad people?” Often when people are taught that God is patient with evildoers, they either conclude that to be a sign of weakness or that He is unjust. The first chapter of the book of Nahum corrects these misconceptions.

The city of Nineveh is the primary focus of the book. This was the same city that was shown mercy by God in the book of Jonah. According to R.C. Sproul,

“Nineveh was a wicked, imperialistic, and deceitful metropolis with an arrogant
and unscrupulous lust for power and domination manifested in merciless
warmongering (3:1-4). In addition to its military exploits, Nineveh was
condemned for its ruthless trade practices and insatiable materialism (3:16)”
(1302).

Nahum, although his message was directed toward the Ninevites, ultimately consoles God’s people with this divine message of judgment against the Ninevites because many in Judah questioned why God would continue to allow this evil empire to exist. In verse three of chapter one, Nahum affirms, “The Lord is slow to anger and great in power, and the Lord will by no means clear the guilty.” According to this verse, Nahum asserts that God is patient, but also powerful and just.

Nahum first shows that God being patient is not a sign of weakness but true power. It has been said, “Everyone has their breaking point.” God’s anger, however, is not like ours, which result from a lack of self control that often triggers fits of rage or temper tantrums. God demonstrates His great power by remaining patient despite the amount and degree of heinous acts He has witnessed throughout human history. Albert Barnes states, “(God’s) long-suffering is a token, not of weakness, but of power” (131).

Nahum then affirms that although God is patient with sinners, He is not soft on sin. Although God is “slow to anger,” the fact that sin displeases Him is evident throughout Scripture and His knowledge of all injustices and promise of evenhanded punishment of all His enemies are certain. Nahum affirms, “The Lord will by no means clear the guilty.” Sproul states, “True to His nature, the universal Judge leaves no sin unpunished” (1303).

Barnes, Albert. Nahum. Barnes Notes: Minor Prophets. Grand Rapids: Baker Books. 2001. 131.
Sproul, R.C. Nahum. The Reformation Study Bible. Orlando: Ligonier Ministries. 2005. 1302-1303.