Nahum 3
Nahum 2. The Defeat of Nineveh.
Intro: I never had much time for history, but if you don't pay attention to history you are fated to repeat its mistakes. We think that we are the pinnacle of civilisation, that we have advanced, that we have increased our technology and will continue to get greater and greater, that our civilisation will carry on forever. We forget history! Egypt built pyramids – where is that civilisation now? China invented paper, gunpowder, a mighty empire – all gone. The Aztec buildings and civilisation, the Hittites, the Assyrian empire, the Babylonian empire, Greece, Rome – all tremendous culture, buildings, technology – all gone – Oh, but we are different! It is human pride! Assyria conquered the world, nothing could stop them, they took one nation after another, there was no end to it – it would go on forever. Little did they know that they were but a tool in יהוה 's hand. He used them to discipline peoples, including His own people Israel and Judah, but they would vanish just as all others had before them. He would take up another tool, Babylon. Man has his day but it will not endure forever. If we paid attention to history we would not be so arrogant, we would realise that it will not go on forever – Western civilisation, just like all the others, will have its day. It too will come to an end. We invest all our efforts, energies, talents and resources in something that will not last. We assert our will, push to make things happen – this chapter vividly portrays the end of assertive man – it paints a dramatic picture of the overthrow of Nineveh. Nahum predicts the overthrow and destruction of Nineveh, dramatically portraying the siege of the city. Under the combined attacks of the Medes of the north and the Chaldeans from southern Babylonia, Asshur, the ancient capital of the empire, fell in 614 B.C., Nineveh collapsed, ending Assyrian sway. [read 1:15-2:13].
1:15 – I began reading with 1:15 because it is the first verse Ch.2 in Hebrew. One comes to Judah announcing the good news of peace – Assyria, the oppressor and afflicter of God’s people, will be cut off (this is what chapter 2 describes) and deliverance will come to them - peace, security, wholeness! Once more God's people are free to celebrate their feasts, to worship their God without hindrance. They return to their God and celebrate with praise what He has done for them. It is shouted from the mountain tops "Your God reigns!" "Jesus is enthroned in Jerusalem, King over all the earth!" "Hallelujah! The Prince of Peace reigns! Praise the LORD! (Isaiah 52:7-10 How lovely on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who announces peace and brings good news of happiness, who announces salvation, and says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”)! Hallelujah! The worthless one (antichrist cf. v.11) will never again pass through the land because he is completely cut off. Hallelujah! יהוה has completely destroyed him! (cf. Revelation 19:20 And the beast was seized, and with him the false prophet who performed the signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image; these two were thrown alive into the lake of fire which burns with brimstone. 20:10 And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.). Praise the LORD! who works deliverance for His people. The wicked one is no more! Chapter two goes on to describe in vivid detail the destruction of the enemy.
Prepare for war! (v.1) - Having dealt with principles of God’s judgement (in ch.1), the actual overthrow of Nineveh itself is predicted and described. The hammer was coming down on Nineveh - one who smashes them to pieces and scatters them to the four winds. Man likes to gather, to accumulate – and Assyria had accumulated a mass of wealth from the nations – all that they had accumulated, יהוה would scatter! We are a society that gathers, organises, accumulates material wealth – all our human efforts, our assertive efforts, all we've built up will be scattered. We will not be able to withstand יהוה in that day, we won't be able to protect what we've worked so hard for. יהוה announces the battle, calls Assyria to war. In war you usually go to great lengths to keep your enemy ignorant of your intentions so that you have the advantage of surprise. But God is so powerful that He doesn't need to do this, He openly declares His intention and calls them to war – even with this warning they will not be able to withstand Him. This is no surprise attack catching them unawares - יהוה warns them to defend themselves - thus with all the prior warning and strength that they can muster, still they will be overthrown so that the supremacy of יהוה’s might may be known. יהוה tells them to man their defences, keep a sharp watch on the approaches to the city, to muster their strength, to strengthen themselves – not the usual approach of the attacker, who seeks to catch his opponent unawares in order to lessen the cost of the battle and to improve his chances. יהוה’s message goes out: "Prepare for war!"
Israel will be restored. (v.2) יהוהּ announces war against Assyria, a corollary is the restoration of Israel. Her oppressor is defeated by יהוה and יהוה Himself returns her former glory - no longer Jacob, the wayward one, on the run for his life; but, the glory of Israel, the settled, established kingdom, dwelling in security in his own land. Even though Israel had been exiled by the Assyrians, her land depopulated and her land devastated (vines, the principle source of income, were cut off) yet, nevertheless, יהוה would restore her glory. Bless His Name! Currently we see strife in the Middle East but יהוה will yet restore Israel. Man tries to destroy her and her economy but Israel will once again be glorious. But in contrast to this blessing upon Israel is the calamity of war about to fall upon her oppressor.
Battle in the streets. (v.3-5) – These verses describe the battle for the city of Nineveh. "His mighty men" are those attacking Nineveh. This is a description of the attacking forces that will soon overrun Nineveh - the Medes and Babylonians, but in fact they are armies doing יהוהּ’s bidding even though they do not know it. The invading army is a field of red: shields red, soldiers in scarlet, blood of battle - an impressive, fearsome sight. The picture of strength with steel chariots - impervious to incendiary arrows, crushing all in their path. The steel flashes like fire - perhaps steel rimmed wheels throwing off sparks - but the impact is of fierceness, terror, consuming, destroying. There is a day appointed - the day of battle - the day of preparation. These forces had been prepared in readiness for this assault, just as יהוה had been preparing for a day of judgement as their sins built up. This is the day He has prepared for - now that force would be unleashed. The warriors advance their spears, brandishing their spears.
- On the roads leading to the city, these iron chariots tear madly about - rushing into the city, into the streets and squares. Like fire, like flaming torches, they dash about, leaving destruction in their path. Incendiary arrows from them may also leave fire in their wake. These lethal chariots are everywhere - fast, maneuverable, overwhelming, invincible. They dash and tear about like lightning - rapidly striking here and there, inspiring terror and fear.
- The invasion and defeat of Nineveh is vividly described in detail before the event takes place! יהוהּ has decreed this, this is what happened. The war comes upon the city, the great and renown leaders, the mighty men are no more - they are only a memory. They have stumbled and fallen as they marched out to meet the foe. They march out but rapidly fall back, hasten back to the protection of the city walls and set up the defences. They can make no impact against the advancing foe - their might is useless before them. The great heroes of this military nation have proved impotent against the foe, what then will be the fate of the ordinary citizen?! The battering ram is set up with its protective cover – once that starts undermining the wall, the end is inevitable.
The city falls! (v.6) - Dams upstream of the city are breached sending down a flood of water that inundates the city, flooding the palace, causing disarray, breaking through the defences, opening the way for the attacking forces to enter into the city. The river Tigris ran right along the western wall of the city, a tributary of the Tigris, the Khosr, ran right through the centre of the city joining the Tigris. A loop in the Khosr caused it to run along the eastern and southern side of the area where the temples and palaces were situated. Thus this area had rivers on three sides - a good defence, except when that defence is turned into a weapon by sending a flood of water down the river. The Babylonian Chronicle tells (after the event, as opposed to the Bible which told before the event) how a combined force of Medes and Babylonians and Scythians laid siege to the city, which fell as a result of the breaches made in the defences by the flooding rivers. The city was plundered by the Medes and the king Sin-shar-ishkun perished in the flames, though his family escaped. The invaders took the palace – once that was gone, the leaders taken, the end of the city had come. The city was left to fall into the heap of desolate ruins which it is today. (cf. v.10; 3:7 “And it will come about that all who see you will shrink from you and say, ‘Nineveh is devastated! Who will grieve for her?’ Where will I seek comforters for you?”; Zephaniah 2:13-15 And He will stretch out His hand against the north and destroy Assyria, and He will make Nineveh a desolation, parched like the wilderness. Flocks will lie down in her midst, all beasts which range in herds; both the pelican and the hedgehog will lodge in the tops of her pillars; birds will sing in the window, desolation will be on the threshold; for He has laid bare the cedar work. This is the exultant city which dwells securely, who says in her heart, “I am, and there is no one besides me.” How she has become a desolation, a resting place for beasts! Everyone who passes by her will hiss and wave his hand in contempt.). How accurately and in detail the Bible foretold what would take place. God knows the fate of man who struts around, asserts himself and conquers all he can – He knows before it takes place. Not only did He predict the end of Assyria so too has He predicted the end of our own commercial society. If this prophecy was so accurate, will not the ones in Revelation also come to pass in just as exact detail? We have been warned beforehand, we have the proven reliability of Biblical predictions – we do well to heed what is predicted to come. Yet still we accumulate stuff, still we assert our will and invest in this present society.
Nineveh flees (v.7,8) - Nineveh is under attack, calamity is upon her - the judgement of יהוה! The judgement, the outcome of calamity is fixed - יהוה has spoken. Nineveh’s fate is fixed - she will be stripped bare from all her finery and sent away into exile - just as she had exiled many nations - it was to return upon her own head. Even down to the level of the servants does this calamity strike - the maids moan and beat their breasts in hopeless distress. Despair overtakes the people as their city, society and life is left devastated by the invading forces. The Bible predicts the end of the commercial world we now live in – what will you do when the whole system in which we live comes to an end?
- Nineveh was surrounded by rivers - the image of a settled pool described her - unmoved, settled, undisturbed but now those waters are on the move - no longer a pool but a torrent (cf. v.6). The rivers were flooded to destroy the city’s defenses - now the settled pool of Nineveh is on the move as the inhabitants flee in desperation and panic! The cry goes out to stop - to stand their ground, to remain - but no one heeds, no one turns back. They desert Nineveh, leaving that great city deserted and desolate. Empty, free for the invaders to take what they please, to plunder her immense amassed riches (v.9), leaving her empty (v.10).
The city plundered (v.9,10) - The attackers overrun the great city, plundering it, rabidly taking its silver and gold, its riches for themselves - despoiling it. Nineveh’s great wealth is no more. Her riches were vast, limitless - but they all would be carried off. There was plenty for all. And the invaders took it all - the rewards of war. Every lovely thing they could ever want was there - theirs for the taking. Nineveh had got rich by plundering other nations, now she would be plundered - what she had done would return upon her own head in Divine retribution. It is a Divine principle – what we deal out to others will be dealt back to us - יהוהּ is a God of retribution, paying back to each as he has done.
- Terror overtakes the "great city" - it is devastated, laid waste, made desolate, emptied, destroyed. Nothing is left. The plunder is complete and thorough. The response of the inhabitants is one of terrible dread and fear. The impact on those who have lived in comfort, security and luxury all their lives is devastating! In their pride they considered themselves impervious to attack, immune from the distress they inflicted on others. But now they were experiencing it themselves - it had returned on their own heads. Hearts melted, knees knocked, anguish overtook them as terror gripped them. Now they knew what it was like themselves, this great, proud, conquering empire. The proud, the assertive, the greedily-wealthy will know what it is like to be at the other end of the stick. This prophecy clearly predicts the terrible end of those who live by assertiveness.
Taunt (v.11,12) – Nineveh is defeated – a taunt is taken up over the once mighty city that is now nothing but a pile of plundered ruins. Nineveh is mocked – where is the great lion?! She prided herself on her strength and fierceness – now she is ruins. The mighty will fall. Where is your strength now?! Note the emphasis on lions (אַרְיֵה 4x, כְּפִיר 1x, לָבִיא 2x, גּוּר 2x). The lion was the symbol of Assyria and winged lions were carved into palace and gate walls. A suitable symbol for such a fierce and cruel nation that tore other nations to pieces and devoured other peoples, hoarding their riches and lands for herself. A strong, ruling beast, tearing in pieces all in sight - but where was this fierce lion now? - it was no more! At one time no one could touch them, make them afraid - but יהוה had reduced them to nothing! The mighty, the powerful, the dominating, the cruel will be destroyed by יהוה . This is a great comfort to God's people who are weak, defenseless and turn the other cheek. Meekness will ultimately triumph.
The cause - יהוהּ against you! (v.13) - The destruction of Nineveh has been vividly described – now is the point, now the reason is given. Why had all this happened?: יהוה, was against her. When יהוה is against you, your complete end is assured! That "great city" would be brought to an utter and complete end - total destruction! desperate calamity! But it was not a whim of history - there was a reason, a cause - it was יהוה’s doing, His judgement for He Himself was against her. What a terrible thing to have יהוהּ Himself against you! Why was יהוהּ against her: because of her pride, violence, assertiveness, cruelty and selfishness. The spirit of Assyria, of assertiveness is very much alive in our day – you go that way and you will find יהוהּ against you! The LORD of hosts - יהוה of armies - יהוה in His military might is personally set Himself against Nineveh (and the wickedness of conquering man in the end time) - who can stand?! He has declared destruction - destruction there will be! "I will burn ..."; "I will cut off ...". The Medes and Babylonians may be the instruments He uses - but this is יהוה’s doing! The great empire man builds will be consumed, go up in smoke - all their great war machines (chariots, tanks) burnt in flames. Returning to the imagery of lions (cf. v.11,12) - her cubs will be devoured by the sword - her youth, the hope of the future will be cut off. As a lion Assyria had amassed prey (cf. v.12) but no more would Assyria prey on other nations. As a world empire, messengers, envoys, were sent to all the nations she ruled to control, administer - but no more would their voice be heard. Assyria would no longer be an international player of world significance. All her greatness and importance would vanish. So proud, so mighty, so great - she proved to be a vapour that was soon gone. Lost and forgotten, only in the 19th Century were the remains discovered. Woe to the one whom יהוה sets Himself against! It does not pay to set yourself against צְבָאוֹת יְהוָה! For this is merely a parable in history of greater end-time judgement that will come upon all those who set themselves against יהוה. For Nineveh is an example of God’s judgement.
What is the bottom line? What is the message? It is accurate prophecy but it has come to pass – what is the relevance? The message is that a similar judgement is in store for similar assertive man who prevails today. But יהוהּ will bring Him to a complete and terrible end. Assertive man will not prevail forever. יהוהּ's judgement is coming – coming on those who live by assertive, selfish might. At Bible study Peter mentioned a little word "Yet"! יהוהּ's judgement is yet coming on assertive man.