Behold, I am against you, says the Lord of hosts;
I will lift your skirts over your face,
I will show the nations your nakedness, and the kingdoms your shame.
I will cast abominable filth upon you, make you vile, and make you a spectacle.
It shall come to pass that all who look upon you will flee from you, and say,
Nineveh is laid waste! Who will bemoan her? Where shall I seek comforters for you? Nahum 3:5-7
The people in the city of Nineveh were continually falling into wickedness. The specifics were unspecified in the Bible, but history tells us that they were prone to idolatry and they were severely violent. God sent Jonah to bring about repentance and it was effective for a time. Now, under the Assyrian ruler Sennacherib, God brings judgement. So thorough is the judgement, that it will add insult to the injury (I will lift your skirts over your face). Should anyone think that this is unwarranted, remember “The Lord is slow to anger and great in power, And will not at all acquit the wicked.”
Am I slow to anger? When necessary, do I confront wickedness, idolatry and violence?
God, I feel at times a holy anger inside. I desire Your patience and also boldness to never acquit wickedness, in my life or in the world. I believe this is what it means to be righteous. Thank you for Your mercy. Help me extend it as You would, but, not to the extent of being a fool or unrighteous.
