Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, was nicknamed "the bloody city." It had slaughtered, enslaved, and mutilated its victims by the thousands. Nahum was happy to prophesy its destruction. Reading this book together with the book of Jonah helps us understand why Jonah did not want the Ninevites to repent and be spared.

Key word    VINDICATION
 
Key verse    "The Lord is slow to anger, yet great in power, and the Lord never leaves the guilty unpunished." —1:3
 
Command verse    "See, upon the mountains there advances the bearer of good news, announcing peace! Celebrate your feasts, O Judah, fulfill your vows!" —2:1
 
Promise verse    "The Lord is good, a Refuge on the day of distress; He takes care of those who have recourse to Him." —1:7
 
Difficult verse    "There is no healing for your hurt, your wound is mortal. All who hear this news of you clap their hands over you; For who has not been overwhelmed, steadily, by your malice?" —3:19
 
Surprise verse    "I am come against you, and I will strip your skirt from you; I will show your nakedness to the nations, to the kingdoms your shame!" —3:5
 
Prayer: Father, may I want my enemies to repent rather than to be destroyed.