Perhaps the best way to apply the Cycle to Nahum is to remember from the 1990s when the fall of the Soviet Union in the 1990's reverberated around the world. Not too long prior, this was considered impossible. Yet the hand of God was not only with Ronald Reagan, but also with Mikhail Gorbachev. The Soviet Union was an enemy of God and of liberty. But Mr. Gorbachev had a stunning change of heart – perhaps we can call it repentance.
First, Nahum draws a strong distinction between God’s judgment of his enemies and his never-ending love of his beloved family:
“The Lord is slow to anger and great in power, and the Lord will by no means clear the guilty. His way is in whirlwind and storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet…The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him” (1:3 and 7, ESV).
Nahum then draws a parallel contrast between his judgment of an apparently invincible enemy and the tender restoration of his children who turn to him in sincere repentance:
“Though they are at full strength and many, they will be cut down and pass away. Though I have afflicted you, I will afflict you no more” (1:12).
And how does God recognize those who love him versus his enemies?
“Behold, upon the mountains, the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace” (1:15).
Although likely not intended, I love that the prophet uses the phrase “brings good news,” because God’s family truly consists of those who bring the good news of Jesus Christ to all who will listen. But what is intended is that those who bring this good news are those who publish peace!
I cannot think of a better way to define perfect unity with God.
Publish peace!
Our times are full of those who mock God and everything he stands for. Nahum makes it clear that not only will God prevail; he gives a command concerning the destruction of evil all around us:
“The Lord has given commandment about you: ‘No more shall your name be perpetuated; from the house of your gods I will cut off the carved image and the metal image. I will make your grave, for you are vile’” (1:14).
What starts innocently with temptation, soon leads to disobedience and then to cut-off disunity from God. Many enemies of God think they can just ignore him, despite warnings all around them.
If God’s warnings are heeded in the form of repentance through belief in Jesus, who died on the cross to pay the price of our disobedience; then God’s never-ending love leads to complete restoration and eternal life in the kingdom of God.
Sometimes we can make this simple truth too complicated. Nahum lays it out in one chapter:
Come to Nineveh and die violently to eternal judgment; or come to Jesus, be restored, and publish peace.