Nahum

This prophetic book provides an interesting contrast to the Book of Jonah since both involve the city of Nineveh. Nahum is more concerned with glorying over the destruction of this city while the Book of Jonah was concerned with its possible salvation. Both of these attitudes are seen to stem from the two sides to God's holiness. The contrast is seen most clearly by comparing the following quotations:
        "You are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and ready to relent from punishing." (Jonah 4:2b)
        "A jealous and avenging God is the LORD, the LORD is avenging and wrathful; the LORD takes vengeance on his adversaries and rages against his enemies. The LORD is slow to anger but great in power, and the LORD will by no means clear the guilty." (Nahum 1:2-3)

Nahum (2004) (6 1/2" x 9 3/4")

acrylic on canvas