Jonah and Nahum: Two Tales of One City – 11/16/25

Posted on by Wylan Swets

This AI-generated summary is provided as a helpful tool to review key themes and takeaways from the sermon. While it aims to capture the essence of the message, please remember that AI can sometimes miss nuance or context. This summary is not a substitute for listening to and engaging with the complete sermon.

Watch the sermon and view all sermon resources at https://northhillschurch.com/sermon/jonah-and-nahum-two-tales-of-one-city-11-16-25/

Scripture Reference:

Teacher:
Ryan Ferguson

AI Output:

Summary of Main Points:

The sermon focuses on the books of Jonah and Nahum and their shared focus on the city of Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian Empire known for its brutality.

  • Nineveh’s History: Nineveh was a powerful and magnificent city, but built on a foundation of violence and terror.
  • Jonah’s Story: Jonah’s story is presented as a satirical account of a prophet attempting to avoid God’s call to preach against Nineveh. The story raises questions about Jonah’s obedience, repentance, and motivations. Despite Jonah’s reluctance, Nineveh repents at his minimal message and is spared. Jonah is angered by this display of mercy.
  • Nahum’s Message: Nahum, written 150 years after Jonah, focuses on God’s justice and impending judgment toward Nineveh. It highlights God’s wrath, power, and vengeance against injustice.
  • God’s Dual Nature: Both books, when taken together, reveal God’s simultaneous and complete nature of both justice and mercy. Neither aspect can be minimized or ignored.
  • Relevance to Modern Readers: The books call for properly understanding and responding to God—accepting his full character and turning to him for mercy.

Action/Application Points:

  • Respect God’s Full Character: Avoid creating a “caricature” of God by emphasizing only mercy or only justice. Embrace and acknowledge both attributes as revealed in scripture.
  • Don’t Be Embarrassed by God’s Justice: Recognize the importance of God’s justice and allow it to resonate even when it’s difficult.
  • Respond with Repentance: Like the sailors and the people of Nineveh, respond to God’s revelation with repentance and a turning toward Him.
  • Trust in God’s Justice: Emulate Jesus’ example by trusting in God’s perfect justice, even in the midst of suffering.
  • Receive God’s Mercy: Understand that God’s justice and mercy converge in Jesus Christ, offering salvation and healing.