As Iron Man, I’ve seen my fair share of battles and apocalyptic scenarios. So, when I opened the Bible to the book of Nahum, I was not surprised to read about the prophet’s vivid descriptions of divine wrath and destruction.
The book of Nahum paints a grim picture of God’s judgement against the city of Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian Empire. The prophet describes God as a jealous and avenging God who will not spare the guilty. Nahum tells us that the Lord is slow to anger, but once his wrath is kindled, nothing can stop it.
Nahum’s prophecy was uttered during a time when Assyria was at the height of its power. They had conquered the northern kingdom of Israel and were threatening Judah. Many saw Assyria as unbeatable, but Nahum proclaims that their fate was sealed.
The prophet accurately foretells the eventual destruction of Nineveh, which occurred in 612 BC. The city was sacked and burned by the Babylonians and the Medes, as Nahum had predicted.
As I read Nahum’s words, I couldn’t help but think of the battles that the Avengers have fought against seemingly indestructible foes. But in the end, justice always prevails. Maybe there’s a bit of Nahum in all of us superheroes.
But let’s face it, being a superhero is exhausting. Sometimes, you just want to kick back with a cold drink and relax. As I finished reading the book of Nahum, I couldn’t help but quip, “I think I need a vacation. Maybe a trip to Nineveh? Oh wait…”
