God Will Not Be Mocked
A Study Guide for Trusting God’s Justice in a Broken World
1. Introduction: Who Was Nahum and Why Does This Matter?
Nahum means “comfort,” yet his message is one of destruction—for Nineveh.
Written about 100 years after Jonah preached to Nineveh (around 650 BC).
While Jonah focused on mercy, Nahum brings judgment—because Nineveh returned to wickedness.
Assyria had brutalized Israel and Judah. Now God says: enough.
Reflection: God’s patience does not mean He ignores evil. He sees, He waits, and He will act.
2. The Character of God (Nahum 1:1–15)
God is described as jealous, avenging, and wrathful, yet also good, slow to anger, and a refuge for those who trust Him.
“The Lord is slow to anger and great in power… but He will by no means clear the guilty.” (1:3)
For the righteous, He is a shelter. For the rebellious, He is a storm.
Takeaway: God’s justice and mercy are not opposites—they are both essential to who He is.
3. The Fall of Nineveh Foretold (Nahum 2:1–13)
A vivid, poetic description of Nineveh’s fall: red shields, chariots rushing, gates flooded.
The once-mighty city will be stripped, plundered, and humiliated.
Assyria’s violence, arrogance, and cruelty have caught up with them.
Lesson: No nation, no empire, no evil force is beyond God’s reach or outside His judgment.
4. Woe to the Bloody City (Nahum 3:1–19)
Nineveh is called a “city of blood”—filled with lies, theft, and brutality.
God exposes their shame, mocks their pride, and declares total ruin.
“Your injury has no healing… all who hear the news about you clap their hands.” (3:19)
Truth: The fall of wickedness may not come quickly—but it always comes. God will not be mocked.
5. Key Verses to Memorize or Meditate On
Nahum 1:3 – “The Lord is slow to anger and great in power, and the Lord will by no means clear the guilty.”
Nahum 1:7 – “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; He knows those who take refuge in Him.”
Nahum 1:15 – “Behold, on the mountains, the feet of him who brings good news… peace!”
Nahum 3:5 – “Behold, I am against you, declares the Lord of hosts.”
Nahum 3:19 – “There is no easing your hurt… all who hear of you clap their hands over you.”
6. Questions for Discussion or Journaling
What does Nahum reveal about the balance between God’s mercy and His justice?
Why do you think God waited so long to judge Nineveh after Jonah’s warning?
How does Nahum help you trust God when evil seems to go unchecked in the world?
What encouragement does Nahum 1:7 offer to believers facing oppression or injustice?
How does Nahum point to the good news of a just and righteous Savior?
What modern systems or powers reflect the pride and cruelty of Nineveh—and how should Christians respond?