The Book of Nahum is important because it demonstrates that God will not allow wickedness to prosper indefinitely.

The Book of Nahum is a prophetic oracle in which Nahum prophesies of coming judgment upon Nineveh for a second time, 120 years after Jonah had previously done so.

Nahum announced a final warning and judgment to come upon Nineveh and to the rest of the Assyrian empire after Nineveh had previously repented in Jonah's day, but then they had returned to wickedness. This time, Nineveh would be completely destroyed and would become completely extinct on the Earth.

Nineveh was the capital of a vast and powerful Assyrian empire that was the commercial center of the world in its day. It had been a cruel enemy of Israel and Judah and taken many of their inhabitants captive. Its wealth was not the result of trade alone, but also came from deceit and plundering of neighboring nations.

God made it clear that this was not the way nations should gain wealth and he declared, Woe to the bloody city, full of lies and robbery.

In chapter 1, Nahum warns of God's coming judgment on Nineveh. He describes God's awesome power in which mountains will quake and hills will dissolve and the earth will be upheaved by His presence. He then predicts hope for Israel after the coming judgment upon Nineveh. Through Nahum, God declares to Israel, though I have afflicted you, I will afflict you no longer.

In chapter 2, Nahum predicts the complete siege and annihilation of Nineveh. All who see you will shrink from you and say, Nineveh is destroyed. Who will grieve for her? Where will I find comforters? Nineveh will be so completely destroyed that it will become extinct.

In chapter 3, Nahum describes the utter ruin of the city and the judgment for its cruelty, harlotry, and witchcraft. He predicts permanent desolation with a warning about end-of-time events to be followed by a time of peace beyond this troubled world.

God is slow to anger and great in power, but He will not at all acquit the wicked. He rebukes the sea and makes it dry. He dries up all the rivers. The mountains quake at Him and the hills melt and the earth is burned at His presence. The world and all who live therein. Who can stand before Him? Who can survive the fierceness of his anger? His fury is poured out like fire and rocks are thrown down by Him. The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble. And He knows those who trust in Him.

God's justice is always correct, and even though He may grant mercy for a time, that mercy will not alter the Lord's ultimate sense of justice for all in the end.

After having allowed 200 years of Assyrian kings and rulers, through Nahum, God declared His plan to judge the city of Nineveh and punish those who were guilty of wickedness. Yet, the book also includes a ray of hope for Judah shining through after Nineveh came under God's judgment.

Nineveh's doom reveals the fate of all nations. The strength of any nation does not preclude its obligations for righteousness and justice. Only those nations that rely on the God as the source of peace will eventually see on the mountains the feet of Him who brings good tidings and who proclaims peace when the Kingdom of God will be established on the earth.

God is good and a stronghold in the day of trouble. Yet, He will act against those who reject Him and who refuse to respond to His message. When sin in a nation becomes prevalent and widespread, God will intervene.