Approximately one hundred years after Jonah preached to the citizens of Nineveh to turn "from their evil ways" and escape imminent judgment, God commissioned Nahum to prophesy the city’s complete destruction. At the time, the Assyrian Empire was both strong and wealthy, yet Nahum prophesied that soon the entire kingdom would be crushed forever under the power of God’s wrath. Obadiah’s prophecy unveils God’s sovereignty over all nations and events, and gives an example of his direct intervention in the political and military affairs of human history. The Sovereign LORD does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: "What have you done?"
Both prophecies are a revelation of God's character and his moral government of the world—a revelation that contains a message of hope, comfort, and encouragement. It matters not how many nations oppose his rule or oppress his people; it makes no difference how many spiritual forces of evil ally themselves for his dethronement, for the Lord’s purposes will prevail. All that he has promised will be fulfilled. He is in control. His dominion is an eternal dominion.
