Nahum’s prophecy is quite violent. We have many battles mentioned, dead bodies, spears, grief, ramparts, infants dashed to pieces, and much violent language. What do we do with this kind of language?

In 2019, I purchased a book by L. Daniel Hawk entitled “The Violence of the Biblical God” in which the author states: “As a whole, the narrative portrays God’s participation in violence as a consequence of God’s decision to enter a violence-saturated world and to work with human partners within it” (195).  The author later comments that creation is full of violence because humans have violated the original hierarchy of creation making ourselves equal with God and so have created an “ungodly mess” (196).

The Book of Nahum describes an ungodly mess by way of the Ninevites who were known for piling heads of enemies on pikes, hanging human skin from walls, and cutting off limbs and attaching them to trees.  Nahum 3:19 uses the word “cruelty” (Hebrew: “ra’”) to describe the worst of the worst in Nahum’s day who were a malignancy upon the earth.  Yet, Nahum portrays YHWH as “jealous,” “avenging,” “maintains His wrath” (1:2) along with allusions to Noah’s flood (1:8) and God promises burning, sword, and to decimate their city (2:13) as well as “pelting them with filth” (3:6).  He is justice expressed in retribution. 

Sometimes we read the violence in the Bible and we just have questions.

I believe the answer to any of these questions lies in God’s character.  God does not act in violent ways because He wishes to or because He needs some kind of thrill from it.  1:3 repeats the truth that God is slow to anger.  1:7 cites He is good, a refuge, and cares.  God is a restorer in 2:2.  Over and over again in Nahum (and in the Bible), God’s character is good and righteous and He responds to our sinfulness.  Nahum 1:3b says very specifically, “the Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished” (ESV).

We must have a conversation about God and violence keeping in mind His character.

We must have a conversation about God and violence keeping in mind human sin.

We must have a conversation keeping in mind our holy God will not uphold sin.

TMB

Hawk, L. Daniel. (2019) The Violence of the Biblical God.  Eerdmans.